Kamal Haasan was one among the select invitees to a high profile meeting in Chennai on Wednesday, addressed by United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was on a one-day visit to the south Indian city.

The ace actor of Tamil film industry, along with Gauthami, attended the meeting at Anna Centenary Library at Kotturpuram, where Hillary addressed students, opinion makers and other prominent citizens.

During the nearly 45 minutes meeting, Hillary spoke on how the US sees India as a strategic player in Asia. She said that Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialised, globalised and educated State in the country.

She pleasantly surprised the audience by greeting them with 'Vanakkam', to which the crowd responded with huge applause.

"We understand that much of the history of the 21st century will be written in Asia. And much of the future of Asia will be shaped by decisions not just by the Indian government but by governments across India and by the 1.3 billion people who live in this country," she said.