Superstar Rajinikanth has congratulated veteran cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Balu Mahendra for making a classic film in the form of the recently-released Thalaimuraigal.

Superstar Rajinikanth is in the habit of watching new films and registering his appreciation there and then if he felt that what he saw deserved to be praised. Rajini also has the habit of inviting the concerned artiste to his residence and shower him/her with unexpected gifts. A few days back, he lavished praised on Saravanan and Vikram Prabhu, the director and hero (respectively in that order) of Ivan Veramathiriwhich released a couple of weeks back.

This time, Rajini happened to watch Thalaimuraigal, Balu Mahendra's first directorial venture in more than seven years, and loved every moment of it. The script is about the bonding a grandfather shares with his 8-year old grandson, the emotional bonding between a boy and his grandson. Balu Mahendra is the grandfather while Master Karthik is the boy in the film.

Sasikumar had produced the film on behalf of his Company Productions. This is also the first film to be directed by Balu Mahendra in more than six years. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja has scored the film’s music. For the first time, Balu Mahendra had starred in a film and has taken on the all-important role of the grandfther in this film and Master Karthik has essayed the grandson's role to perfection.

Rajini spoke on phone to Balu Mahendra and producer Sasikumar and praised them for making such a wonderful film.

Rajini spoke to Balu Mahendra and Sasikumar over phone and expressed his praise and appreciation for the manner in which the film had been made. “The film is a real tribute to Tamil films as a whole,” was Rajini’s parting remark. Rajini told Sasikumar that by producintg this film, he had done a 'great service' to Tamil films. It may be recalled that Rajini has played the hero in Balu Mahendra's Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal more than 28 years back in 1985.