COIMBATORE: A 58-year-old fan of superstar Rajinikanth who was being treated for cancer died while watching the actor’s latest film, ‘Lingaa’, in a theatre in Coimbatore on Friday. He had slipped out of home against the advice of doctors and relatives to catch his favourite star on screen.

C Rajendran, the owner of a small manufacturing unit, had been diagnosed with cancer of the kidney about three months ago and doctors had told him not to leave home. Ever since ‘Lingaa’ hit the screens early in December, he’d been telling his family that he wanted to see his favourite star’s latest film but they had refused, fearing for his health, police said.

On Thursday night, he sneaked out of his house in Perur Chettipalayam, a suburb of Coimbatore, and caught a bus to the city to catch the 9.45pm show, which ended at 12.55am on Friday. He had watched every Rajinikanth film to date, police said quoting his family.

Around 1.25am, when cleaning staff entered the theatre they found a man still in his seat. They thought he had fallen asleep and tried waking him. When they could not rouse him, they called the theatre manager who informed the Race Course police .

“I noticed him (Rajendran) during the interval. He was having popcorn and soft drink and seemed to be enjoying himself,” said Karnan, manager of Shanthi theatre.

Race Course police confirmed the death and sent the body to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.

Karnan said Rajendran had a photograph of his son with a mobile phone number on it, which helped them identify him. The family refused to speak to the media but confirmed that Rajendran had been a lifelong fan of the superstar.

Police handed over the body to the family after registering a case under section 174 of CrPC (unnatural death).

Read this in Hindi: लिंगा देखते वक्त थियेटर में ही हुई रजनीकांत के फैन की मौत

