17 November,2025 03:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rajinikanth and Nandamouri Balakrishna
Legendary actors Rajinikanth and Nandamuri Balakrishna will be honoured during the closing ceremony of the upcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here to celebrate 50 years in film.
Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, provided this information to reporters in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "Legendary actors Rajinikanth and Nandamuri Balakrishna will be felicitated for completing 50 years in cinema, marking a milestone that celebrates their enduring influence on Indian film culture," according to him.
"They will be felicitated at the closing ceremony, recognising their iconic body of work, widespread popularity, and contribution to shaping Indian storytelling across decades," he informed us. The IFFI will start on November 20 and end on November 28.
The concluding ceremony will be held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium nearby, while the celebration will begin with a spectacular float procession down the scenic D.B. Bandodkar Road.
Rajinikanth, probably Tamil cinema's most durable and successful commercial star, has a cult following that spans across India. He made his debut in the 1975 film Apoorva Ragangal and first starred in unpleasant roles before turning into a hero with a devoted fan base and blockbuster box office success.
N Balakrishna is a Telugu actor who has appeared in over 100 films, including significant blockbusters like Samarasimha Reddy, Simha, Aditya 369, and Muddula Mavayya. He is also an MLA for Andhra Pradesh's ruling TDP party. Murugan stated that the IFFI is improved each year with the addition of new features. Instead of the customary inauguration, the event would begin with a grand float procession in Panaji, he explained.
According to the minister, the parade would feature 12 tableaux from various states and government ministries exhibiting India's rich film culture. Murugan stated that 7,500 participants have already registered for the festival, which will screen 270 films from 84 nations.
Japan is the festival's focal country, with Spain and Australia serving as partner and spotlight countries, respectively, he said, adding that the IFFI will also feature award-winning films from Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and other major film festivals.
