Superstar Rajinikanth was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Friday evening, marking an emotional pinnacle in his illustrious 50-year cinematic journey. The 74-year-old icon, visibly moved as Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant presented the honor, described his half-century in films as feeling like “only 10 or 15 years” and declared that if he had “100 more janams (lives), I would like to be born again as an actor and as Rajinikanth.” The packed Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium erupted in applause as the actor folded his hands in gratitude.

In an emotional speech that quickly went viral, Rajinikanth dedicated the award to the Tamil people, calling them “the gods who keep me alive.” “All this honor goes to the cinema industry and mainly to the Tamil people,” he said, his voice trembling with sincerity. The superstar, who began his career in 1975 with K. Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal, stressed that every milestone he has achieved belongs to the audience that has sustained his larger-than-life persona for five decades.

Earlier in the day, Rajinikanth received a rousing welcome upon landing in Goa, with hotel staff and fans lining up to catch a glimpse of “Thalaivar.” Videos showed him entering the venue to thunderous dhol beats and cheers, greeting supporters with his trademark humility and smile. His family, including wife Latha Rajinikanth and daughters Aishwaryaa and Soundarya, joined him on stage to share the momentous occasion.

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The 56th IFFI, which ran from November 20 to 28, celebrated Indian cinema’s rich legacy while honoring Rajinikanth as one of its most enduring icons. The festival paid tribute to centenaries of legends such as Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, and Bhupen Hazarika through restored screenings, alongside showcasing 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films in the Indian Panorama section.

Rajinikanth’s emotional acceptance speech and the standing ovation that followed underscored his unique stature—not just as a box-office phenomenon but as a cultural force who transcends language and region. As the superstar bowed to the audience one last time, the moment served as a fitting reminder of why, after 50 years and over 160 films, the love for Rajinikanth shows no signs of fading.

With the festival drawing to a close, IFFI 2025 will be remembered as the platform that formally crowned Rajinikanth’s extraordinary legacy, an honor he immediately passed on to the millions who have made him the eternal “Superstar” of Indian cinema.

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