We had the privelige of having a long exclusive chat with the one and only Iyakkunar Imayam Bharathiraja in which he happily shared with us his much celebrated journey in Tamil cinema.

About Rajinikanth who got his big break in Bharathiraja's '16 Vayadhinile' the director related a very exciting incident which stands proof for the Thalaivar's humility and respect towards his mentors.   Several years after the iconic movie during the late 80s Rajini was ruling the roost as the undisputed king of Tamil cinema and at that time Livingstone and G.M. Kumar were interested in making a film with Rajini to be produced under Bharathiraja's banner.  But the superstar had insisted that he would act only if Bharathiraja directed and when his salary was in crores and advance was in many lakhs he accepted just Rupees 2/- (two only) and finished the movie 'Kodi Parakudhu'.

Similarly about Kamal Haasan who also excelled as a leading man playing "Chappani" in Bharathiraja's '16 Vayadhinile' the legendary director stated with finality that Kamal can never live without making films and he will continue to do so even after entering politics.  Below is the rare interview clip of the Iyakkunar Imayam about his close friends Rajini and Kamal.