Hollywood action star Arnold Schwarzenegger teased blockbuster director Shankar at the audio release function for the upcoming film I with an offer to act in his next film, and even suggested that the director take up King Conan.

At a star-studded function that also featured ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth, Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman, Kannada actor Puneet Rajkumar, and a host of other Tamil film dignitaries, Mr. Schwarznegger was the cynosure of all eyes. Fans at the packed Nehru indoor stadium cheered the former California Governor and seven-time Mr. Universe title holder from the moment he entered the venue to the signature background score from Terminator.

Mr. Schwarzenegger, who spent more than an hour listening to Tamil songs from the film, took the stage after an act featuring local bodybuilders, who also appear in I in which the lead actor, Vikram, plays the role of a bodybuilder.

“I am happy that you have employed bodybuilders in your movie, Mr. Shankar,” he said. “But what about me?” he asked to cheers from the crowds.

Mr. Vikram made a dramatic entry into the event in a werewolf costume and makeup.

After the performance, he introduced the team from New Zealand-based Weta Workshop that worked on the makeup.

Mr. Rajinikanth complimented the actor on his dedication after an audio-visual presentation on the making of the movie mentioned that Mr. Vikram had lost 25 kg for a character transformation in the film.

(This news story was first published in The Hindu print edition of Sept 16, 2014)

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