Air Asia starts special flights to take Indian superstar Rajinikanth's fans to his film's premiere

India's Tamil cinema superstar Rajinikanth commands an enormous fan following in the country and across the world. He is much-loved for his larger-than-life roles, which have spawned innumerable jokes about Rajini having the power to do the impossible. It seems only appropriate that his forthcoming film Kabali is being released with an opening that is grand for movie-mad India.

As part of Kabali's promotions, Malaysian low-budget carrier Air Asia is launching a special aircraft. The actor's adoring fans can fly in it to watch the film's premiere in his home city Chennai, and get a first-hand experience of the excitement that his releases generate.

The Kabali-themed aircraft has been painted with Rajinikanth's image from the film and has a special menu. It will fly to major Indian cities like Bengaluru, New Delhi, Goa and Pune. To catch the first-day show of the film on July 15, fans will have to fly to Bengaluru to catch a connecting flight to Chennai.

“This special plane, powered by Thalaivar (Rajini) quite literally, is dedicated to Rajini fans across the globe. This is Air Asia’s way of paying a tribute to the one and only superstar in the country," Amar Abrol, CEO, AirAsia India said.

Air Asia is the official airline partner of Kabali, and several of its planes will also feature in the film. The airline is also running a contest inviting fans to post Kabali-style videos on Twitter and Facebook, with the winners getting a chance to fly to the film's shooting locations in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, as well as watchKabali's first show.

Rajinikanth is one of India's most bankable and highest paid actors, with the gangster drama Kabali being his 159th film. The 65-year-old actor plays the titular character of an ageing Malaysian don, with Taiwanese actor Winston Chao cast as the villain. Indian actors Radhika Apte and Dhansika also star in the film. Originally shot in Tamil language, it will also be dubbed in Telugu, Hindi and Malay. Its trailer has already got 23 million views on YouTube. With the Air Asia flights, the hysteria is only set to get bigger.