Big B, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan pay tribute to Ilaiyaraaja

The music composer was felicitated during the audio release of the film 'Shamitabh'

Cinema superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan shared stage to pay tribute to music maestro Ilaiyaraaja at the audio launch of R. Balki’s upcoming directorial venture ‘Shamitabh’.

’Shamitabh’ stars Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara, who is making her Bollywood debut. 

“I am not a trained actor and I came in this industry accidentally. Without your [Ilaiyaraaja] music I don’t think I could have come this far. It’s been 15 years now and every day is full of your music. Every shot is full of your music. I draw my emotions from your music. Thank you Raaja sir for everything,” Bachchan said. 

“We all heard about his music and legendary fan following... We have all heard how his name sold movies. We all heard his name is close to the God in the world of music. We all are here to pay tribute to the divine musician of cinema,” Bachchan added. 

When Bachchan asked Rajinikanth about his experiences of working with the legendary composer, he shared, “I know Raaja sir from early ‘70s. He was very naughty and mischievous person at that time. We both used to gossip and used to have our drinks together till morning. And suddenly, I saw a transformation in Raaja sir which extended to his dressing style. And then I started calling him Raaja swami. He is a saint now and mata Saraswati lives in him.” 

Kamal Haasan, who has worked with Ilaiyaraaja in several films, said, “Out of his 1000 films, 10 per cent are mine. He created the songs but we own it. After the transformation I started calling him my brother. And today after 40 years for the first time I hugged him. I knew that he would have reached 1000 one day.” 

Refuting the rumours of ‘Shamitabh’ being the 1000th music composition of the 71-year-old musician, Balki said, “Let me clarify one thing, ‘Shamitabh’ is not Ilaiyaraaja’s 1000th film. He will reach the milestone with Bala’s upcoming Tamil film ‘Tharai Thappattai’. We are here to celebrate that...1000 is just a number. We don’t need any excuse to celebrate Raaja sir.” 

The evening also witnessed performances by Big B, Dhanush along with singer Shreya Ghoshal and Suraj Jagan. 

“I am thankful to Rajini sir that he came for this function. When I signed ‘Shamitabh’ I never expected that something like this will happen in my career,” Dhanush said. 

The event was also attended by eminent personalities like Sridevi, husband Boney Kapoor, Shruti Haasan, Gulzar, Tabu, Abhishek and wife Aishwariya Rai Bachchan.