Superstar Rajinikanth posed with the paparazzi as he arrived for the special screening of Laal Salaam on the IFFI 2025 red carpet, which was one of the most heart-touching moments of the festival. The legendary actor, who attended the closing ceremony of INOX, was later honored for his 50 years of remarkable contribution to Indian cinema.

When Rajinikanth stepped out on the red carpet, he immediately attracted the attention of photographers eager to capture that rare moment. Responding to their requests, the superstar stopped and graciously posed for pictures while flashing his iconic smile. The brief but warm conversation soon became the highlight of the festival.

The veteran actor, who flew to Panaji for the closing day, was left in awe when the filmmakers, artistes and international guests felicitated his extraordinary cinematic journey. The eight-day festival, held from 20 to 28 November, showcased over 240 films from 81 countries, cementing IFFI’s stature as a global hub of film culture.

As the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium lit up during the closing ceremony, all eyes were on Rajinikanth. Reflecting on his career he said“50 years of acting in cinema felt like 10 or 15 years… if there were 100 more birth (Life), I would like to be born as an actor and Rajinikanth.”

He said, “All this honor goes mainly to the people of the cinema industry Ennai Vaazhevikum Dheivangalana Tamil Makkal (Tamil people, the gods who keep me alive).”

His words resonated deeply with the audience, who standing ovationRajinikanth greeted him with folded hands,

Actor Ranveer Singh present at the ceremony expressed surprise on this occasion. When asked to speak on Rajinikanth’s legacy he humbly said, “I am too young to speak words about this level of greatness, all I can say is that I am looking forward to Jailer 2. Hukum, Hukum!”

The 56th edition of IFFI also paid tribute to the roots of Indian cinema, celebrating centenaries of icons like Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Banumathi, Bhupen Hazarika and Salil Choudhary through the screening of restored classics.

Meanwhile, the Indian Panorama section showcased 25 feature films, 20 non-feature films and five debut works, highlighting IFFI’s ongoing commitment to nurturing both established and emerging talent in Indian cinema at the international festival.