Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara might be fiercely private about their relationship but looks like this time the actor couldn't help himself. There have been some spicy rumours doing the rounds that Rooney Mara may have gotten engaged to Phoenix. Nothing seems to have confirmed the news except that she was spotted wearing a huge engagement ring. Anyway, at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival, when the actor was awarded at their Tribute Gala, he made sure to thank everyone in his life and address Mara with her pet name. Joker New Clips - Joaquin Phoenix Dances Around, Sits Inside The Refrigerator As Todd Phillips Announces When The New Trailer Will Drop

"I don't know who's really giving me this award, who's responsible for this or why," he told the crowd. "And frankly, I don't care. My publicist said somebody wants to give you an award and I said, ‘I'm in. Let's do it.'" The actor then went on to thank his family, his three sisters and his late brother River Phoenix for their influence and guidance. Joker Star Joaquin Phoenix Engaged to Actress Rooney Mara After Three Years of Dating

"When I was 15 or 16, my brother River came home from work and he had a VHS copy of a movie called Raging Bull and he sat me down and made me watch it," Joaquin said, via Variety. "And the next day he woke me up and he made me watch it again. And he said, ‘You're going to start acting again, this is what you're going to do.' He didn't ask me, he told me. And I am indebted to him for that because acting has given me such an incredible life."

Joaquin Phoenix's speech - 

Finally, he wrapped up his sweet and emotional speech by saying, "One last thing, somewhere here, I don't know where, is a filthy dragon, and I want to rip its wings off and fasten a blanket and sleep with it forever. I love you. Thank you." The name is not as dirty as you think for it seems to hold a reference to Mara's role as Lisbeth Salander in the 2011 crime thriller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2019 02:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).