Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Sridevi on Tuesday came together at the music launch of Shamitabh to celebrate the 1,000th film scored by composer Ilaiyaraaja.
The event also saw a live performance by Bachchan and Dhanush.
“I have never dared to sing in front of him because I found it very embarrassing. Every time I used to sit in a studio separately to record... I remember one occasion while doing Paa, where I had to sing a song with Raja saab in front of me. I can’t say how frightening it was,” Bachchan said.
Bachchan described Ilaiyaraaja as “a genius”. “It was amazing how he corrected me. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“Thank you for whatever you have given to this industry. I am your devoted fan. Your music is a big inspiration. I am not a trained actor, but accidentally became an actor... It is because of your music that I have made it so far. My every inspiration comes from your music,” Dhanush said.
R. Balki, however, clarified that Shamitabh was not Ilayaraja’s 1,000th film. “Director Bala’s film is the 1,000th film of Ilayaraja,” he said.
Presented by Eros International and produced by RK Damani, Sunil Lulla, Gauri Shinde, Rakesh Jhunjhuwaala and Bachchan, Shamitabh, starring Bachchan, Dhanush and Akshara Haasan, is scheduled to release on February 6.
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shruti Haasan and Tabu also joined the celebrations.
“It’s an honour to be present here with the wonderful talent around us. Thank you for giving us this opportunity Raja sir,” Abhishek Bachchan told reporters.
“Thank you very much. It’s an absolute honour to be present here. We have enjoyed your music. Thanks to the team of Shamitabh. Thank you all the legendary icons. I have the pleasure of calling one of them Paa,” Rai Bachchan said.
Bachchan joined south Indian stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to share their experiences working with one of the leading music composers of the Indian film industry.
“Raja has become a part of my life. Today I got the opportunity of hugging him. He is a bit shy. I knew that he would do his 1,000th film and I am glad that his 786th film was with me,” said Haasan, who has worked with Ilaiyaraaja in several films.
