New Delhi, Nov. 29 -- Superstar Rajinikanth received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award - a recognition of his iconic 50 years in cinema.

Taking the stage, the 74-year-old actor reflected on a journey that has shaped Indian pop culture for decades.

In a video from the event now trending online, Rajinikanth said:

"Fifty years in cinema felt like just 10 or 15 years. If there are 100 more lives, I would want to be born as an actor. and as Rajinikanth. All this honour goes to the cinema industry and mainly to the Tamil people - the gods who keep me alive."

With folded hands, he greeted the cheering audience, visibly moved ...