Vijay fans started making beeline to cinema halls screening 'Nanban' from wee hours of today, and performed the 'traditional rituals' by bursting crackers, doing 'paal abhishekam' and burning camphor to welcome their favourite star's movie.

The scene was almost the same at theatres in Chennai and in other parts of Tamil Nadu, as the film hits the screens amid huge expectations, since this is the first time for the Ilayathalapathy to join hands with Shankar.

Also, 'Nanban' follows the success of 'Velayudham', Vijay's Deepavali release, which is being claimed as one of the biggest hits of 2011. "I took leave from office today to watch Nanban first day first show," said Ramachandran Balasubramanyam, a techie.

Produced by Gemini Film Circuit, 'Nanban', a remake of Hindi hit '3 Idiots' has Jiiva and Srikanth as the other two leads. Music is by Harris Jayaraj, while Sathyaraj, Ileana D' Cruz, Sathyan and S J Suryah have played crucial roles.