Cinema icon Rajinikanth received a lifetime achievement award at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Friday, marking 50 years of his illustrious career in the film industry.

The 74-year-old actor was welcomed with a standing ovation as he took the stage to accept the honour, and he also reflected on his journey, which he said felt far shorter than it sounded. Calling the milestone emotional and deeply meaningful, Rajinikanth said his "five decades in cinema" felt like they passed in just a few years.