After months of speculation and rumours, Rajinikanth gave his fans the perfect New Year gift for 2018 – he officially announced his entry into politics on the last day of 2017.

In the build-up to the announcement, the Superstar met his fans from December 26 to 31. And to say that the fandom was pleased to meet their hero would be an understatement.

A video tweeted by Twitter user @famousaunty shows what looks like a compilation of these meetings with fans in the lead up to December 31.

From the looks of it, the fans just could not control their excitement. While some could not stop grinning, it looked like others had to hug the Thalaivar tight as if to reassure themselves that he was indeed for real. Some were touching his feet too. But the best in the compilation is the man who appears at the end.

Throughout this show of adoration, respect and hero-worship, what stands out is something Rajinikanth is best known for – his humility.

He can be seen standing smiling humbly. with his hands clasped in the front, as fans continue to shower him with love, and even as some of them cross the boundaries of personal space and cling on to him.

Rajinikanth enjoys a massive and loyal fan base, which is quite evident here. Another mark of the same can be seen in this video, which shows the reaction of the audience at the exact moment when Rajinikanth confirms his entry into politics on December 31.

The fans jump up from their seats and break into a resounding cheer which lasts for several moments.

Rajinikanth has said that he will float a party in the upcoming assembly polls and that he will contest from all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. In his first media interaction after he made the announcement, Rajinikanth said that he wanted to create a political revolution.