26 December to 31 December.
These six days are precious for superstar Rajinikanth’s fans. They get to see their idol in flesh, and stand next to him for a photograph.
Let us put this in perspective.
There are over 85,000 Rajinikanth fan clubs across the world, and literally millions of fans.
So how did these fans get to take a photograph with Thalaiva? Here’s how it works.
How many fans does Rajinikanth meet each day?
Rajinikanth meets and takes photographs with around 850 to 1,000 fans every day.
Fans assemble by 7.30 am at the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai every morning. Rajinikanth arrives a little before 9 am, speaks a few words, and starts the photo session at 9 am sharp. He does this till 3 pm.
Who has organised the event?
The All-India Rajinikanth Fans Welfare Club, currently headed by VM Sudhakar, is the official Rajini fan club in the country. Before 2016, the last time such an event was held was almost a decade ago. This year marks the second Rajinikanth Fans Meet.
Who decides which fans get to go in for a photo with Thalaiva?
This year, only fan clubs across Tamil Nadu have been invited for the photo op. The fan clubs are split district wise. Each district selects a stipulated number of fans for the event, and the names are submitted to the organisers.
The fan pass of the event.
(Photo Courtesy: Riaz, PR to Rajinikanth)
How are the registrations and entry managed?
Every member, who has been chosen for the event, is given a unique entry card, which has his photograph and a barcode. Entry is possible only if the bearer’s face matches the one on the pass, and the barcode reflects the appropriate details.
Hardcore Fans, Devout Fans, Family of Fans...
To paraphrase a Tamil saying, ‘From six (years) to sixty (years), Rajinikanth has fans across all ages.’ Here are a few of his hatke fans.
A 6-year-old showing the ‘Baba’ sign.
(Photo Courtesy: Yogen Shah)
This Year’s ‘Punch’ Dialogues
What’s a Rajini film without a ‘punch’ dialogue? Even without the pancake, and the wig, and the arc lights, Rajinikanth is still Thalaiva, thanks to his inexplicable charisma. And of course, his ability to spin the crowd to a frenzy with just a few words.
Here are the top five dialogues from the event so far.
With just two days to go for 31 December, speculations about politics in Tamil Nadu are spiralling out of control. Are we reading too much into Rajinikanth’s words and silence? Or will he actually replace MGR as the people’s leader?
Watch this space to break the suspense.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)