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 fina...