In the felicitation function of writer, Kalaignianam, Superstar Rajinikanth shared that he maintains a deep friendship and bonding with Bharathiraja who on many occasions has spoken against him and taken a straight opposite stand in politics too. Rajini said that when Kalaignianam first asked him to attend the event he was reluctant because of his 'Darbar' shooting schedule but once Bharathiraja spoke to him he could not refuse.

Rajini advised the gathering that when old friends speak against them, they should ignore that because otherwise, the friendship would eventually break and in the old age such as himself he cannot afford to lose them. He recalled that Bharathiraja will always troll him for acting in masala movies but has promised that he would conduct a felicitation function for him just like the way he did for MGR and Sivaji. The '16 Vayadhinile' director has also apparently warned Rajini that once he enters politics he would face stiff opposition from him but even if that happens the Thalaivar said that his friendship with Bharathiraja will never break under any circumstances.