The name Rajinikanth is enough to bring the country to a standstill. The superstar, better known as Thalaiva or the boss, has been ruling over cinema for the last four decades and has a countless fan following, all thanks to his aura and magic that he casts on screen. Rajinikanth, who starred in nearly 204 films over his career, bagged home every major award and honours for his projects and now, as he graced the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, on Wednesday, the superstar was felicitated with Icon of the Golden Jubilee Award. The award was presented to the Petta star by Amitabh Bachchan, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant. While receiving the honour, Rajinikanth thanked the team behind all his films. Calling Amitabh his inspiration, the actor expressed his gratitude towards the Indian Government for showering him with love.
"The honourable Chief Minister of Goa, honourable minister Prakash Javadekar ji, my inspiration Amitabh Bachchan ji, good evening to everybody. I am extremely happy to receive this prestigious International Film Festival of India's Golden Jubilee Icon award. My heartfelt thanks to Indian government for honouring me with this prestigious award and I dedicate this award to all my producers, directors and all the technicians who worked in that realm," Rajinikanth told during his speech.
Shri. @rajinikanth dedicates the “Icon of Golden Jubilee of IFFI” award to all the directors, producers & crew he has had the pleasure of working throughout his illustrious career. #IFFI50 #IFFI2019 pic.twitter.com/Q48flMqayn
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
You won’t find a bigger blockbuster than the #IFFI2019 opening ceremony! @SrBachchan and @rajinikanth together on the stage! A Golden Jubilee in its truest sense! @PrakashJavdekar @esg_goa #IFFI50atINOX pic.twitter.com/lpJG5Zuc6B
— Siddharth Jain (@JainSiddharth_) November 20, 2019
Bollywood's Shahenshah and the Chief Guest of #IFFI50, Shri. @SrBachchan felicitated by Thalaivar Shri. @rajinikanth at #IFFI2019 @satija_amit @MIB_India @PIB_India @esg_goa pic.twitter.com/krI5j5z7D5
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
A Truly Magical evening with two of the greatest Icons of Indian Cinema under one roof, Shri. @rajinikanth and Shri. @SrBachchan #IFFI2019 #IFFI50 #PrideIconOfIndiaRAJINIKANTH @satija_amit @MIB_India @PIB_India @esg_goa pic.twitter.com/siBmZwzo0h
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
Prakash Javadekar, on November 2, through his official Twitter handle, informed that Rajinikanth will be felicitated with the Icon of the Golden Jubilee Award and left all the superstar's fans delighted and excited.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, during the past several decades, I am happy to announce that the award for the ICON OF GOLDEN JUBILEE OF #IFFI2019 is being conferred on cine star Shri S Rajnikant.
IFFIGoa50 pic.twitter.com/oqjTGvcrvE— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) November 2, 2019
Speaking of Rajinikanth, he made his film debut with K Balachandar's Apoorva Ragangal in 1975. The actor, who is the recipient of honours like Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, went on to work in Hindi films including Andha Kanoon, Geraftaar and Hum. He is now gearing up for the release of Darbar directed by AR Murugadoss.
(Source: Twitter)