Indian cinema icon Rajinikanth received an overwhelming standing ovation at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The veteran actor was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his incredible five-decade-long contribution to the film industry.
An Emotional Acceptance Speech
The 74-year-old superstar took the stage to accept his award and delivered a heartfelt speech that quickly went viral across social media platforms. Visibly moved by the thunderous applause from the audience, Rajinikanth reflected on his remarkable journey in cinema.
"Fifty years in the film industry felt like just ten or fifteen years," the emotional actor shared. "If I were given a hundred more lives, I would choose to be born as an actor every single time - and as Rajinikanth."
In his characteristic humble style, the superstar folded his hands and acknowledged that all the honor ultimately belongs to the cinema industry and particularly to the Tamil people, whom he described as "the gods who keep me alive."
Grand Welcome in Goa
Earlier in the day, Rajinikanth had arrived to a spectacular reception from enthusiastic fans and hotel staff. Viral videos captured the actor walking in rhythm with traditional dhol beats, smiling warmly and acknowledging the cheering crowd with his trademark humility.
The special moment became a family celebration as his loved ones joined him later to commemorate this significant achievement in his legendary career.
IFFI 2025 Celebrates Cinematic Excellence
The 56th International Film Festival of India concluded on November 28, celebrating powerful storytelling and significant milestones in cinema. This year's festival paid tribute to several legendary figures including Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury through screenings of restored classic films.
The Indian Panorama section showcased an impressive selection of films:
- 25 feature films
- 20 non-feature films
- 5 debut features
This diverse lineup highlighted the vibrant energy and continuously evolving vision of Indian filmmaking, though Rajinikanth's emotional tribute to his audience and the industry remained the undeniable emotional highlight of the entire festival.
The veteran actor's heartfelt words and the overwhelming response he received served as a powerful reminder of why he continues to be one of Indian cinema's most enduring and beloved legends, even after fifty remarkable years in the industry.
