The 90s was probably the time Rajinikanth's popularity peaked in Tamil Nadu and his part in influencing the 1996 legislative assembly elections is a testament to the same (The actor's campaign for the United front of DMK-TMC-CPI dethroned AIADMK from the Chief Minister's office). The craze surrounding the actor's stardom was not restricted to fan-loyalty alone for it was the time when even a small act like beginning a film's shoot made it to front page headlines. 

With the Corona-lockdown keeping everyone with little to engage in, fans of Rajinikanth have unearthed the news paper clippings from the time when one of Rajini's biggest hits Padayappa went on floors. These images provide a taste of the lengths the frenzy went to surrounding Superstar Rajinikanth. 

From rampant police protection for the first day of shoot to Rajini receiving a personal letter of wishes from the sitting CM of Tamil Nadu, the star seems to have enjoyed what celebrities can hardly think of in current times in our state.