Superstar Rajinikanth, celebrated for his remarkable five-decade-long career in Indian cinema, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Friday, November 28, 2025. During the closing ceremony, the 74-year-old actor reflected on his journey with humility and gratitude.
Marking the special occasion, Rajinikanth expressed that his illustrious journey in cinema felt much shorter than 50 years, more like "10 to 15 years," attributing this to his enduring love for cinema and acting. In a heartfelt moment, he proclaimed, "Even if I were to have 100 janams (lives), I would like to be born as an actor, as Rajinikanth".
The veteran actor, affectionately known as "Thalaivar" by his fans, was greeted with a standing ovation as he accepted the honor. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant felicitated Rajinikanth with a shawl and a memento during the ceremony. Rajinikanth dedicated the award to the cinema industry, including producers, directors, technicians, distributors, exhibitors, and especially to the Tamil people, who he described as the gods who keep him alive.
Rajinikanth made his debut in the 1975 film "Apoorva Raagangal" and has since captivated audiences across generations with his unique style and performances in films such as "Thalapathi", "Baasha", "Mullum Malarum", "Enthiran", "Kabali", and "Jailer".
The 56th edition of IFFI, which ran from November 20 to 28, showcased a diverse collection of films and celebrated significant achievements in both Indian and world cinema. The festival also commemorated the centenary year of several legendary figures, including Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury, with restored screenings of their most influential works.
Earlier in the festival, Rajinikanth's recent film, "Lal Salaam," directed by his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth, was screened. Aishwarya Rajinikanth shared her pride and happiness about premiering the film at the prestigious festival. "Lal Salaam," a Tamil-language sports action drama released in 2024 and produced by Lyca Productions, received positive responses from the audience.
