This is what Asin had to say:

“I sign on a film after considering screenplay, characterization, production house and co-stars. I don’t come from an actor family. That’s why I’m yet to be satisfied with the acting I’ve done. There’s no such competition for me in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. I am my own competition. I’ve no hankering for awards. My main concern is to be accepted by viewers. As long as people want to see me on screen, I will continue to act. Awards are just a bonus, that’s all.Because many actresses don’t consider acting as a profession, many leave the industry early. It’s wrong to think that Bollywood is against the south Indian film industry. If that were so, talented personalities like AR Rehman and Resul Pookutty would not have made such a big name for themselves. You can shine in films only through talent. I speak from personal experience. I would like very much to get back to the Malayalam film field with its talented personalities. Fee is not a hindrance to it.Bharath Bala is directing ‘19 Steps.’ Music is by AR Rehman. Kamal Hassan appears in an important role.

Getting on with his close friend Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan said, ‘Shivaji Rao Gaekwad is my best competitor and we both are students in Tamil Film Industry.’

Finally, Padmashree concluded his speech saying, ‘Kindly invite me to the 100th year celebration of Kannada Cinema and don’t ignore me calling ‘Avaru Ondhu Mudhuka’ (He’s an old man).

Around One Lakh people had arrieved for the occasion and applauded with high spirits for Kamal Haasan’s warm speech in Kannada. Chief Minister Yediyurappa felicitated him with a Shawl and Silver Plaque

I don’t consider this my personal triumph. It is also of MS Viswanathan and Ilayaraj who are present here. When Balamuralikrishna spoke, one could gauge the depth of music. I thank all the musicians for having such a large heart. Each musician has a particular fan following. For praising me, don’t scold another musician on the Internet, is what I request of my fans.”

Those who spoke on the occasion included Balamuralikrishna, MS Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, producer AVM Saravanan, director K Balachander, music composers Deva, Vidyasagar, Harris Jayaraj, Bharadwaj, Devi Sriprasad, Shankar Ganesh,  Yuvan Shankar Raja, playback singers TM Soundarajan, Mano, LR Eswari and S Janaki.

Ilayaraja gifted AR Rehman a gold chain and said, “Composer John Williams has won 4 Oscars. For that, it took him many years. Even before clicking our knuckles, our AR Rehman got 2 Oscars, one for each hand. That’s a matter of great pride. Music is beyond awards. In music, there is a lower sthayi, upper sthayi and a topmost sthayi. As far as I am concerned, Rehman has ascended the topmost sthayi. My congratulations to him. Harris Jayaraj gifted him a finger ring. Shankar Ganesh hugged Rehman. The function committee gifted Rehman a globe worth 2 lakhs, made of silver.

When the Oscar Awards function was going on, I was put up in a hotel in Hyderabad . I started watching the show from the morning itself. When the award was announced for AR Rehman, I screamed and jumped in joy. A hotel employee tapped on my door and asked me to turn down the volume of the TV as it was disturbing my neighbors! That was a little embarrassing but I celebrated all the same.” said Trisha

And… I want to say something in Thamizh which says, which I say normally after every award “ ella puhazhum iraivanukke” which mean God is Great.

Vaaranam Aayiram took an amazing opening especially at the multiplexes. Director Gautham Vasudev Menon is a relieved man but is not exactly happy about the mixed reactions from critics and media. In this quick chat to Sify.com, he clarifies everything about the film and more.

The film has been trimmed by 12 minutes after two days of release?
Yes… I was forced by my distributors to do so and I have trimmed a few scenes which you will not even notice if you had seen the original on the release day. The scene soon after Divya comes to meet Surya in Dehradun, a small portion of the scene after Surya joins the army and a part of the last episode of the rescue operation. Reports stating that the Delhi episode and an entire song being taken away is rubbish and baseless. I have sent my assistants including editor Antony to all the theatres playing the film to check the prints.

But critics say that the second half is slow and it looks like a documentary?
I am a person who is open to fair criticism. Audience support is what I wanted and the film after taking a fabulous opening is running to full houses and is being appreciated by lady and family audiences. It is not the usual kind of action film that one associates with a Surya or Gautham Menon. If you come without any expectations, you will like the film.

Why was your next film with Sivaji productions dropped?
I am seriously relieved about it. I was busy with the release of Vararnam Aayiram and everyone new about my involvement with the film. Sivaji productions were not willing to wait and they wanted to start the project immediately. My script is my investment and I cannot be pushed on that. All I can say is that, it’s their loss.

So what next?
I have been working round the clock for the last few years. I have three sons and let me spend some time with them. I will be finishing Chennayil Oru Mazhaikalam and then I will be directing Mahesh Babu in Telugu. Both these films have music by A.R Rahman.

Thanks Sify.com