(28 November 2005 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Tamil entertainment channels Vijay TV, Raj TV and Raj Digital Plus have lined up a slew of activities to celebrate South Indian superstar Rajnikant's birthday on 12 December. Apart from blockbuster screenings, various visibility campaigns have also been planned.

On the birthday, Vijay TV will telecast a special show which traces the journey of birthday cards through Chennai city finally arriving at the superstar's residence.

Another on-ground activity planned is the journey of a mobile unit which visits select places in Chennai. Fans get a chance to write their birthday message on this special card which will be sent to the star. The van commences its journey today.

On the movie front, Vijay TV will telecast the Rajnikant classic Viduthalai on 10 December. This will follow with Vairavel on 11 December and Naan Adimai Illai on 12 December. The promos will commence on 8 December.

Raj TV is planning a month-long movie festival to celebrate the superstar birthday in style. The channel will telecast super hit Rajni movies on all the Fridays of December. The campaign starts from Friday, 2 December. The movies Raj TV has lined up for Friday are: Pudhu Kavithai, Annamalai, Sri Ragavendrar (Rajni's 100th film), Siva and Naan Maghan Alla.

However, the pick of the Raj lot is going to be, the blockbuster it has lined up for 12 December, Dharmathhin Thalaivan. On the same day, the channel will telecast a birthday special from 10 am to 11 pm.

Raj Digital Plus has also lined up various activities to celebrate the superstar birthday. Apart from movie screenings and on-air celebrations, the channel has lined up various on-ground events also.

On 12 December, at 9 am, the channel will telecast Rajaathi Raja followed by Thanikkatu Raja at 12 am. At 3:30 pm, the channel will telecast Maaveeran and then in primetime, at 8 pm, comes the blockbuster Pandiyan. At 7 pm, Raj Digital Plus has lined up a special birthday programme also.

The channel will also screen two Rajni blockbusters in theatres; one each in Chennai & Coimbatore on 12 December. A giant greeting wall will be created at these Theatres in Chennai and Coimbatore for people to write their messages to the Superstar. Free passes for the film will be distributed to our viewers through a contest, which will begin in the first week of December.