Rajinikanth, CM M.K. Stalin, and Kamal Haasan honoured music legend Ilaiyaraaja at a grand Chennai event, urging the government to award him the Bharat Ratna. Stalin also announced a state award in his name and requested compositions based on Tamil classical literature.

Ilaiyaraaja thanked the government, noting it was the first time a musician was felicitated this way. He has composed for several Rajinikanth films, including Thalapathi, Mullum Malarum, and Johnny.