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Mumbai: Bollywood lyricist and poet Gulzar, Bollywood actor Jaya Bachchan, Indian music composer Ilaiyaraaja, Bollywood filmmakers Sunil Lulla with wife Krishika Lulla and Bollywood lyricist Swanand Kirkire during the trailer launch of upcoming film Shamitabh and celebration of 1000 film of music composer Ilaiyaraaja in Mumbai.

Indian cinema giants Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Gulzar came together on Tuesday to felicitate music composer Ilaiyaraaja for completing the music of his 1,000th film. Moments before crooning in front of live audience and the music maestro himself, Big B confessed he never dared to sing in front of the maestro. "I have never dared to sing in front of him because I found it very embarrassing. Every time I used to sit in a studio separately to record.

 I remember one occasion while doing ’Paa’, where I had to sing a song with Raja saab in front of me. I can’t say how frightening it was," Amitabh Bachchan told reporters during the music launch of Shamitabh. Big B described Ilaiyaraaja as "a genius". "It was amazing how he corrected me. Thanks for the opportunity." The megastar also shared his experiences on working with Ilaiyaraaja with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Kamal Haasan, who has worked with Ilaiyaraaja in several films, said: "Raja has become a part of my life. Today I got the opportunity of hugging him. He is a bit shy. I knew that he would do his 1000th film and I am glad that his 786th film was with me.

" Kamal said that once he had faced a problem with the music of one of his films. "I had shot all the songs but was not able to use them. Then I went to Raja. He said that I did not need to re-shoot and that he will dub the music for me." "He saw the lip sync and made music which was totally different from the one I had recorded, and he made hit songs out of them." Apart from Big B other singers and music composers including Shamitabh actor Dhanush also performed at the event.

 "Thank you for whatever you have given to this industry. I am your devoted fan. Your music is a big inspiration. I am not a trained actor, but accidentally became an actor... It is because of your music that I have made it so far. My every inspiration comes form your music," Dhanush said. R.Balki clarified that Shamitabh was not Ilayaraja’s 1,000th film. "Director Bala’s film is the 1,000th film of Ilayaraja," he said. Besides the star cast, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shruti Haasan and Tabu were among others who were present at the event. "It’s an honour to be present here with the wonderful talent around us.

 Thank you for giving us this opportunity Raja sir," Abhisehk Bachchan told reporters. "Thank you very much. It’s an absolute honour to be present here. We have enjoyed your music. Thanks to the team of ’Shamitabh.’ Thank you all the legendary icons. I have the pleasure of calling one of them Paa," Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said. Big B sat with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan after felicitating Ilayaraja and shared their experiences working with one of the leading music composers of the Indian film industry.

A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities: Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja has completed composing music for 1000 films with R Balki’s upcoming film Shamitabh. To mark the milestone, several stars, including Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, are expected to turn up at the music launch of Shamitabh in Mumbai. Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: ’Launching the music of #SHAMITABHMOVIE with maestro Ilayairaaja, who crosses 1000 films. And the 2nd Trailer of #SHAMITABHMOVIE.’ Shamitabh releases on February 6.