Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was one of the few politicians who wished Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan for being chosen for the French Government's prestigious Chevalier award last week.

In his letter to Kamal, the veteran Communist leader had said "You have been chosen for the prestigious Chevalier Award for placing the Indian cinema on the top of world films through your multi-faceted personality." The letter also noted that Kamal dedicating the award to his fans and well-wishers is the sign of the actor's humility.

Today Kamal has responded to Vijayan's appreciation by sending a Thanks note which reads as below.

Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your kind words on my Chevalier award. Someone remarked, "How nice of another state's head to lavish you with praise. I interjected, "He is not another state`s CM. He is my state's CM. Ask any film-going Malayalee which state I belong to."

Love

Kamal Haasan.

It is worth noting that Kamal`s first film as a lead hero was the 1974 Malayalam flick Kanyakumari` directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. With his performance in that film, Kamal, his first Filmfare Award for the Best Actor. Since then he has acted in many Malayalam films throughout the 1970s and 80s.