The 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) honoured actor Rajinikanth with a special Icon of Golden Jubilee award today in Goa.
The Tamil superstar took the stage along with friend and actor Amitabh Bachchan to light the lamp at the opening ceremony, and then later again to accept the award from Bachchan.
“I thank the honourable Chief Minister of Goa (Pramod Sawant), as well as honourable Minister Prakash Javadekar, my inspiration Amitabh Bachchan, and all the other dignitaries on stage,” said Rajinikanth, while accepting the award. The Darbar actor also thanked the government of India and said that he was “extremely happy” to receive this prestigious award.
Bachchan in turn, remarked that, "Rajinikanth has been inspiring us every day."
Rajinikanth dedicated the award to all the producers, directors and technicians he’d worked with in his films, and “most importantly, above all, my fans and the Tamil people who have given me my life.”
Rajinkanth’s wife, Latha, was also present with the actor at the ceremony in Goa.
Bollywood actor-producer Karan Johar hosted the ceremony, that also saw the IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s highest honour presented to French actor Isabelle Huppert, who has appeared in more than 120 films and is the most nominated actress for the César Award, with 16 nominations, and has won it twice.
IFFI 2019 is scheduled to be held from November 20 to 28.
