Superstar Rajinikanth whose name was printed in the invitation card send by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, abstained from the event.

The cynosure of all eyes was Dr.Kamal Hassan in a black suit and he made a speech which was appreciated by all present including Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa. Kamal speaking fluently in Kannada said: “I urge the politicians not to throw stones at the sacred pond of film fraternity. The artist’s fraternity does not have caste, creed, religion or language. Kannada cinema industry of 75 years is my Chikkamma (maternal aunt) and like a Sahodhari (sister) to Tamil cinema.”

Kamal explained that politics and films are like oil and water, both cannot mix. Added Kamal: “I am a Tamilian and it cannot be changed. What kind of a Tamilian? I had a Guru called Gundu Rao (Nagesh) from Karnataka, and I adore Dr Rajakumar the legend of Kannada cinema. I admire and have friends from Kannada cinema and literature like, B Saroja Devi , Girish Karnad, P Lankesh, Kasaravalli, Ananthamurthy, Puttanaji, B.V.Karanth and others.

On superstar Rajinikanth, Kamal said: “Shivaji Rao Gaekwad alias Rajinikanth is my competitor friend and co student in the Tamil film industry.” On lighter vein he said: “Invite me for the 100th year of Kannada cinema and do not discard me as a Hale Mudhuka (0ld Man)”

Kamal ended his speech reciting the poetry of famous Kannada literary giant Gopalakrishna Adiga. The Karnataka chief Minister B. S Yediyurappa presented him with a shawl, silver plaque and garland. Kamal received a tumultuous reception as more than a lakh people turned up to see him and they gave him a thunderous ovation for his “lovely, sweet, and warm” speech in Kannada.