An event ahead of the release of 'Kaala' on June 7 was held today in Hyderabad. It was graced by Rajinikanth, Dil Raju, NV Prasad, Dhanush and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Eeswari Rao (who has played Rajini's wife in the movie), said, "It's an unforgettable experience for me to get to act opposite Rajinikanth sir. How it is, you have to tell me on June 7."

Huma Qureshi said that it was an absolute delight to work with Rajini. "I am honoured to have done Kaala," she added.

Music director Santhosh Narayanan said, "The film tells the story of slum dwellers in Dharavi. One of the main issues we are grappling with today is landlessness. Sixty percent of the population in India doesn't own any piece of land. It's a mystery. I really loved working on the movie's score. I am glad to have worked with rapper Pranav Chaganty."

Pa.Ranjith said, "The film is releasing amid a lot of expectations. Hope you will enjoy it. I hope you will love Rajini sir's acting, the slum dwellers and the politics shown in the movie. Rajini sir's heroism is of a different style."

Dil Raju said, "I am not qualified to speak about Rajinikanth garu. It was in 1999 April that I distributed a Rajini film for the first time. It was 'Narasimha'. I know how much I enjoyed the film's success. Nineteen years later, I am distributing his film once again in Nizam territory. In the film industry, if a director doesn't deliver a hit, he is avoided. But Rajini garu and Dhanush have made a film with Pa.Ranjith (even after the failure of 'Kabali')." When it was his turn, director Maruthi too expressed a similar opinion.

Distributor-producer NV Prasad said likened Rajinikanth to God. He spoke of how he was compensated during 'Baba' personally by Rajini himself. "Sir not only made my losses good but also gave me extra money," Prasad recalled. "There was a time when I wanted to remake a Hindi film with Rajini sir as the hero. I wouldn't tell its name. I called him up and requested him to once watch it. He watched it the same night and called me up the next morning. I wish him all the success in whatever he takes up. As this is a film function, I wouldn't talk much (about politics)," he signed off.

Dhanush said, "Andariki namaskaram. That's all I can manage in Telugu. 'Kaala' is a film for the people, about the people. It's a bold, very well-researched film. Ranjith has beautifully captured the day-to-day struggles and difficulties of Dharavi slum-dwellers. The film is about the people who are being oppressed and neglected all over the world. Who else is better to represent common man's problems than our Superstar Rajinikanth sir. For 40 years, people have been showering love on him unconditionally. They have been celebrating and worshipping him. Everybody has been trying to crack this phenomenon. They all want to be the next Rajinikanth. But there is no formula to becoming one. There is only one Rajinikanth and there will be only one Rajinikanth. He has become one of the symbols of this country."

Rajinikanth said, "Dhanush was just saying that there can only be one Rajinikanth. For that matter, there is only one Chiranjeevi, one Nagarjuna, one Venkatesh and one Balakrishna. Everybody is unique. Everybody has their own individuality. Nobody is bigger than others. Only opportunity makes us what we are. We have to make use of the opportunities. Those who believe in God attribute it to God. Those who don't, they attribute it to luck. I deem every opportunity as God-given. It is my fortune that I have been loved by the Telugu audience as much as the Tamil audience. "I got a break (many years after films like 'Anthu Leni Katha') in Telugu with the film 'Peda Rayudu', thanks to Mohan Babu.

The audience here has accepted me in films like 'Basha', 'Mutthu', 'Narasimha', 'Robot', 'Shivaji' and others. When NTR garu was alive, I would meet him to take blessings whenever I was to Hyderabad. I miss him today. You know why (indirectly referring to his political debut). I also miss Balachander garu and Dasari Narayana Rao garu. They loved me the way they would love a child,"

About 'Kaala', Rajini noted, "Many in the industry were skeptical when I decided to work with Pa.Ranijth for 'Kabali'. He is a director who can mix commercial elements with artistic attributes. There are 5-6 memorable characters in 'Kaala'. Santhosh Narayanan's best music this is. It's so classy. Eeswari Rao is your Telugu ammayi. She has done so well. Dhanush has proved that he is not only a good artist but also a good producer."