Rajini started his speech with the world famous slogan (Thanks to Rahman) 'Ella pugazhum Iravanukke....'
Says Rajini, "There are four important pillars which are crucial role in this film. Shankar, Sun Pictures Kalanidhi Maran, Aishwarya Bachchan and Rathnavelu. This film will create history in the Indian cinema. I'm not saying this just because its a big budget or Shankar-Aishwarya-Kalanidhi Maaran-Rajinikanth combination. This is the first scientific movie made with Hollywood standards in India. First of its kind. Thats why I'm saying this with confident."
"When I signed Sivaji, I asked Kamal (Hassan) what kind of a maker Shankar was. He told me he is a very intelligent man, but a very demanding man as well. And now, before Sun Pictures came on board, I told Mr. Kalanidhi Maran that Shankar is a like a wild race horse – he will surely reach to the destination, but we must hang on tight to keep up with him. I'm sure that Shankar is a true visionary and would direct a fabulous Hollywood movie soon..."
Talking about A.R. Rahman, the superstar said, "For me Rahman is a real yogi. There are three important aspects that differentiate a normal man from a yogi. A true yogi has no ego. He is one who follows the path of love. Above all, he surrenders himself unto God by putting Him before all else – success, power, money. Considering these things, AR Rahman is a yogi. He has all these three qualities that spiritual gurus say make a yogi. He's a proof that you don't have to go to the Himalayas to find yogis. We, Tamils are very proud to have such a personality at our time!”
Rajini went on to say that Aishwarya Rai is no ordinary lady. She is a mixture of beauty and brains. "She is the most beautiful Miss World of our times. Even in a scene in the movie where she wore hardly any make up, she looked stunning! She's the kind of woman who is charming in every way," he added. He also comically mentioned that when he played romantic scenes with Ash, he was aware that her father in law Amitabh would warn him like 'Rajini gabardhar!'.
Coming to the unconditional affection of his fans for him, Rajini humbly said they treat him like a baby. "Parents dress their child in fancy clothes and rejoice when they see that child sing and dance. Similarly, you all dress me up in different get-ups, make me look younger, ask me to dance and sing, and praise and applaud me when I do that. It's all your doing. I do nothing," he quipped.
At the end of his speech, like the true philosopher and spiritualist he said, the super star insisted the happiness and the success because it is not permanent. "Sometimes you will have to come down before you achieve something which will take you to the top. If you succeed once and think you're successful, you would be in for a rude shock. Ups and downs in life are inevitable. Learn to accept both and move on,” he said and returned to his seat amidst thundering applause."
