50 years in cinema felt like 10-15 years: Rajinikanth’s emotional speech at IFFI
Rajinikanth was honoured with a lifetime achievement award upon completing 50 years in the film industry at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
In his speech at the ceremony, the superstar described his five-decade career as feeling much shorter.
The 74-year-old also said that if there were 100 more lives, he would like to be born as an actor and as Rajinikanth.
A widely shared clip from his address captured him saying, “50 years of acting in cinema felt like 10 or 15 years.. If there are 100 more janams (lives) are there, I would like to be born as an actor and Rajinikanth. All this honour goes to Cinema Industry people and mainly Ennai Vaazhaveikum Dheivangalana Tamil Makkal (The Tamil people, the gods who keep me alive) (sic).”
Rajinikanth received a standing ovation at the ceremony and greeted the audience with folded hands.
The event, which concluded , drew filmmakers and artists from around the world and highlighted significant milestones in Indian and international cinema.
Rajinikanth, who arrived in Goa for the festival’s final day, was welcomed by hotel staff and fans. Social media videos showed him entering the venue to dhol beats and greeting supporters with folded hands. He was later joined by his family, who attended the ceremony to celebrate his achievement.