IFFI: Rajinikanth receives lifetime achievement award, reflects on 5-decade career
What's the story
Superstar Rajinikanth received the lifetime achievement award during the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Friday. The event honored his remarkable 50-year career in Indian cinema. The actor, who received a standing ovation, said he would choose the same life again if given a chance. "If there are 100 more janams (lives), I would like to be born as an actor and Rajinikanth."
Speech highlights
Rajinikanth's emotional speech at IFFI
In a widely circulated clip from his speech, the 74-year-old actor said, "I stand here with a lot of humility and gratitude." "50 years of acting in cinema felt like 10 or 15 years. Time flew just like that. It is because I love cinema and acting." He added, "All this honor goes to cinema industry people and mainly Ennai Vaazhaveikum Dheivangalana Tamil Makkal (The Tamil people, the gods who keep me alive)."
Twitter Post
Watch Rajinikanth's speech here
50yrs of acting in cinema felt
— Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff007) November 28, 2025like 10 or 15 yrs.. If there are 100 more janams are there, I would like to be born as an actor & #Rajinikanth..🔥 All thishonour goes to Cinema Industry people & MainlyEnnai Vaazhaveikum Dheivangalana Tamil Makkal..😍pic.twitter.com/Z9CyfuwZuB
Film screening
'Lal Salaam' was screened at IFFI earlier
Earlier at the festival, Rajinikanth's latest film Lal Salaam was screened for the audience. It's helmed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, who expressed her pride and happiness on the achievement. Lal Salaam is a Tamil-language sports action drama produced by Allirajah Subaskaran under the Lyca Productions banner. IFFI also paid tribute to legendary filmmakers and artists like Bhupen Hazarika, Raj Khosla, Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, Salil Chowdhury, and P. Bhanumathi with restored screenings of their classic films.