My huge thanks to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for celebrating Ilayaraja’s golden jubilee…
Actor Appukutty!
It is noteworthy that Appukutty, who played the hero of the story for the first time in the film ‘Azhagarsamyin Kuthira’ directed by Suseenthiran with music by Ilayaraja, won a ‘National Award’.
Appukutty said… Ilayaraja is the main reason for the National Award I received. Suseenthiran transformed me, who had played a character in the film ‘Vennila Kabaddi Kughu’, into the hero of the story through the film ‘Azhagarsamyin Kuthira’. In that film, the song ‘Kudikkira Kuthikara Kuthira Kutira Kutira Kutty En Manasa Kattuthe…’ composed by Ilayaraja for me and sung by me in the film, and I got great recognition for acting in that song. Also, when I was acting in emotional scenes in that film, the background music composed by Ilayaraja was listened to all the way to Delhi and ‘won me the National Award’.
Ilayaraja is the treasure of our Tamil Nadu. It is a great privilege for us to travel in the film industry where he is during his lifetime. Every actor dreams of acting in Ilayaraja’s music. That dream came true for me, and through it I also received a National Award. All this glory belongs to Ilayaraja.
Although artists receive various awards, it is a great honor to hold a government ceremony. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for holding a golden jubilee for Ilayaraja!