In the grand star studded event to celebrate his 74th birthday in Kamarajar Arangam at Chennai, Isaignani Ilaiyaraja revealed that Superstar Rajinikanth owes him a tea.

Speaking at the event Raja said Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and himself shared a very close friendship.

"Kamal sir learnt about this function being organised and he has voluntarily come here. Rajinikanth called me from Mumbai in the morning and wished for my birthday. We have never exchanged birthday wishes in the past. I asked him why he is wishing all of a sudden. He said that he is wishing me since I have completed 74. He owes me one tea. I asked him about that. He laughed aloud for sometime and said he will give me a tea when he comes back to Chennai."

Veteran director S.P.Muthuraman who has directed the maximum number of films with Rajinikanth revealed that he and Ilaiyaraja have created a world record by working together in 40 films, the highest for a director - music composer duo.

Ilaiyaraja was so jubilant and playful in that function. When the fans requested him to sing a song on the stage he refused saying it was not a part of the programme.