A cancer-stricken patient, a fan of Indian film star Rajinikanth, died in theatre while watching his latest movie ‘Lingaa’.

Despite doctors’ orders not to leave home, C Rajendran who was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney sneaked out of his house in Coimbatore, India, took a bus to the city to catch the 9.45pm show, The Times of India reported.

The movie ended at 12.55am but when the cleaning staff found him still in his seat at 1.25am, they could not awake him. The police were then called in.

Police said the 58-year-old had been telling his family of his wish to watch his favourite star’s latest movie but was not allowed out of fear for his health.

Rajendran had watched Rajinikanth’s every movie, his family told police.