JOHOR BARU, Sept 26 — The sun was merciless, the street was packed, and nobody was going anywhere.

Tamannaah Bhatia was coming to town, and Johor was ready.

The Bollywood and Kollywood star was in Johor Baru to officiate the launch of Yazhini Gold & Diamonds’ new Ayra & Abhinaya Diamond Collections at its Jalan Segget store, at an event hosted by television personality Kiki Vijay.

Her fans were there long before she was. By 10am, the street was already filling up with admirers armed with posters, umbrellas and phones on full charge, staking out their spots as the midday heat climbed. By early afternoon, hundreds had squeezed along Jalan Segget, craning their necks towards the entrance at every passing car.

At 2.50pm, the moment finally arrived.

Tamannaah stepped out in a pink saree and the street exploded. Screams of “Tamannaah! Tamannaah!” drowned out the traffic as a forest of phones shot into the air.

She did not just wave and disappear. The actress made her way along the barricades, stopping for selfies, grabbing outstretched hands and trading a few words with fans who had been baking in the heat since morning.

“I am so happy to see everyone still here and in such high energy despite this afternoon heat,” she said, beaming at the crowd.

For a star who had touched down from Mumbai only the night before, she seemed genuinely taken aback by the reception.

“Johor fans are beautiful people. From the time I arrived last night, I have been treated with so much love,” she said.

That warmth, she added, did not stop at the barricades.

“Just like the hospitality I received from Malaysians, the sales team here gave me the same warm welcome. Wherever you go, a store’s sales team are the most important people,” she said.

Yazhini Gold & Diamonds marketing manager Velan said the brand already had its sights set further north.

“Kuala Lumpur is part of our future expansion plans. More details will be announced soon,” he said.

The visit capped a big week for the actress. Just a day earlier, her new Hindi fantasy thriller The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest, in which she stars opposite Sidharth Malhotra, opened in cinemas. The film is steeped in Bihari culture and folklore, and Tamannaah wore that pride on her sleeve.

“India as a country has so much culture, and in this film we showed our culture. It is very exciting to celebrate it with all of you here, who also have so much respect for Indian culture,” she said.

And before she left, she made sure the crowd went home happy, blowing kisses from the stage.

“Big love, big kisses. Thank you for all your support always, and thank you for being here today. Love you guys,” she said.

Tamannaah made her acting debut in 2005 and has since become one of South Indian cinema’s biggest names.

Tamil audiences fell for her in hits such as Kalloori, Ayan opposite Suriya, Paiyaa and Siruthai opposite Karthi, Veeram opposite Ajith Kumar, and more recently the horror-comedy Aranmanai 4.

Her dance number Kaavaalaa from the Rajinikanth blockbuster Jailer set dance floors on fire, while the Baahubali franchise made her a household name far beyond India.