On the left of the dais was a banner showing Rajini and Shivaji laughing with their heads together. On the right was a banner with Shivaji praying to God with his mother. In the centre was the palatial door set of 'Chandramukhi' showing Thota Tharani's handiwork.
As specified in the invitation, the program started on schedule at 5.30pm. Kala and her group danced to Rajini film hits as the superstar sitting in the front row enjoyed the presentation with a smile.
When the scene in 'Chandramukhi' showing Rajini saying the now famous 'laka laka' was shown, Latha Rajinikanth, Soundarya, Aishwarya and Dhanush clapped in delight along with the rasikas present.
When the VIPS climbed the stage and were seated, a memento which had to be carried by several people was presented to the chief guest, central minister Dasari Narayana Rao. Following this, when playback singer T M Sounderarajan went on stage to receive the Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award, he was surprised by a big hug from Rajini, at which he raised his hands up hailing the gods.
Then Rajini and the minister got ready to award the mementoes to all those who were involved in making 'Chandramukhi' a success. The first name read out was Soundarya Rajini! She has done the titles for the film. The third person to receive the memento was Kaja Bahadur who says 'repeatu' the 3rd time in the song 'Devuda.' Rajini introduced him to the minister because when Rajini had been a conductor, Kaja Bahadur was the driver!
Nayantara, Vadivelu, Vijaya Kumar and others received mementoes, after which Ilaya Thilakam adorned director P Vasu with a gold chain strung with a pendant of Sivaji Ganesan. Vasu shed tears of joy on receiving it. 
When he received the shield, Prabhu hugged everyone on stage to show his happiness.
People were waiting with bated breath as to how Prabhu would greet Nayantara, but he hugged her as well�! We wonder if Prabhu heard the whistles flying around the auditorium� 
Superstar got the last memento and he received special attention. He was gifted with a silk shawl that had his figure woven into it, by Prabhu and Ram Kumar and the minister draped it round his shoulders. Rajini was also given a statuette of a warrior Sivaji on a horse, made in silver.
Dasari Narayan Rao, Vijay, Shankar, Vijay Kumar, Vadivelu, Prabhu and Vasu heaped compliments on Rajini. When it was finally Rajini's turn to speak, the auditorium reverberated with thunderous applause. 
At a time when actors are entering politics and their speeches are also interspersed with political comments, it was refreshing to hear Rajini's rather spiritual kind of talk.
This is a brief excerpt of superstar's super speech.
"I was the horse, not the elephant in the 'Chandramukhi' opening function. I said I would get up if I fell. And I was true to my word. I stood up, but you all (pointing to the rasikas) made me run.
Another reason is Babaji, whose strength made 'Chandramukhi' the hit it is today. Only a mix of happiness and sorrow makes life sweet. That does not mean we have to go in search of sorrow. Even if sorrow seeks us out, we should not let that dishearten us. I knew that 'Chandramukhi' would be a success, thanks to Babaji's blessings. That's why at a friend's house, I celebrated the film's victory a day prior to its release," said Rajini making us quite shocked!
Even as people were wondering why there was nothing said about Chandramukhi at the 'Chandramukhi' celebrations�
Jo's mother was indisposed, so Jyotika had to hurry to Mumbai to be with her. That's why she could not be present at the function.
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