Rajinikanth pays tribute to Mayilsamy, regrets not taking his last phone call to him: 'I thought I will apologise to him next time'

Superstar Rajinikanth on Monday morning paid his tribute in person to the late comedy actor Mayilsamy. While talking to the media, he called Mayilsamy a "long-time friend."

"I knew him since he was 25 years old. He was a junior artist and then he became a comedy actor. He was a die-hard fan of MGR and he was a very devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Whenever we met, he would never talk about the film industry. He would talk about Lord Shiva or MGR. Even though he was a close friend, we didn't act together in many films. I don't understand why. ," Rajinikanth said. 

Like Rajinikanth, Mayilsamy was also a very spiritual person. He was seen at the Shiva temple celebrating Maha Shivaratri before he passed away due to a hear attack on Sunday morning. 

"Every time he attended Karthika Deepam, he would call me from there. He would be so happy looking at the big crowds as if they have come to watch his film in which he has played the hero. Last Karthika Deepam, Mayilsamy phoned me. I was not able to take the call as I was busy shooting. Then, he called me three more times, I was not able to talk to him. I thought the next time when I talk to him I will apologise. And I forgot all about it and he also passed away," he said in regret. 

Rajinikanth described Mayilsamy's death as a huge loss for society. "The deaths of Viviek and Mayilsamy are not just for the film industry and their friends. Both were good thinkers and very socially responsible human beings. Mayilsamy passing away on Shivaratri is not a coincidence. It's the god's calculation. On His special day, he took away his devoted follower. I don't how to console their family. I pray to God that Mayilsamy's son finds a bright future in the film industry," he added. 

Drums Sivamani was with Mayilsamy celebrating the festival on Sunday hours before his untimely death. And he had revealed that it was Mayilsamy's wish to take Rajinikanth to Shiva temple near Vadalure. And when the media person mentioned it to Rajinikanth earlier today, this is what he had to say.  

"I also heard about that. I will talk to Sivamani and I will definitely fulfil his Mayilsamy's wish," he promised. 

Mayilsamy is survived by his wife Shantha and son Arumainayagam.