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The closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) on Thursday turned into a deeply emotional moment when actor Ranveer Singh delivered a heartfelt tribute to superstar Rajinikanth, who was honoured for completing 50 illustrious years in Indian cinema. Ranveer, visibly moved and humbled, admitted he felt “too small to be speaking about this level of greatness,” earning warm applause from the audience.

Ranveer’s humble salute to a legend

Invited on stage to share his thoughts, Ranveer paused—his admiration evident—before offering a tribute that became one of the night’s standout moments. Rather than delivering a grand speech, he chose sincerity. Expressing the fanboy within him, he said he was eagerly “looking forward to Jailer 2,” Rajinikanth’s much-awaited sequel to the 2023 blockbuster.

In a moment that electrified the venue, Ranveer invoked Rajinikanth’s iconic dialogue from Jailer, reciting “Hukum!” and then pointing the microphone towards the crowd. The audience erupted in unison, shouting “Hukum!” back—echoing the superstar’s overwhelming cultural impact.

Celebrating 50 years of Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth, regarded as Tamil cinema’s most enduring and beloved superstar, commands a fan following that cuts across states, languages and generations. Since making his debut with Apoorva Raagangal in 1975, he transitioned from menacing antagonists to mighty heroes, becoming a phenomenon whose films bring celebrations, firecrackers and massive box-office surges year after year.

His contribution to cinema—spanning five decades—remains unparalleled, and the IFFI honour marked a historic milestone in a career defined by reinvention, charisma and mass appeal.

Excitement builds for Jailer 2 and upcoming projects

The superstar is currently filming for Jailer 2, where he reprises the fierce Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. Ramya Krishnan will return to her role from the earlier film, while Shiva Rajkumar has confirmed a cameo appearance. Telugu veteran Balakrishna is also set to join the cast in a significant role, raising expectations for another explosive pan-India spectacle.

In addition, Rajinikanth is preparing for a landmark collaboration with Kamal Haasan—two titans of Indian cinema coming together after decades—sending fans into unstoppable anticipation.

A night filled with admiration

The emotional tribute from Ranveer Singh captured the admiration felt by countless fans and industry members for Rajinikanth’s 50-year journey. As the curtains fell on IFFI 2025, the moment highlighted not just the magnitude of the superstar’s legacy but also the reverence his work continues to inspire among younger generations of actors.