KOCHI: Not even Kerala Blasters on the cusp of ISL glory has seen such frenzied fans. On Thursday, right opposite the bleachers of Maharaja’s College Ground, hundreds of young men clambered over barricades, buses and even Metro Rail pillars for a glimpse of Sunny Leone -not on an online clip, and of course not in the buff, but right in person.

Bollywood actor Sunny Leon:

The former porn idol-turned Bollywood actor was in Kochi to inaugurate a mobile phone showroom and police had to resort to a cane charge to restrain the infatuated youths, lest their collective ogling take a different, less innocuous, shape.

The Canadian-born star, demurely but fetchingly clad in a mauve short dress, was visibly overwhelmed by the experience.Standing tall in her stilettos, she alternatively waved at her fans, blew kisses and brought her palms together in obvious thanks to the youths who had turned what was expected to be a get-done-with-it-and-leave event into a memorable experience. No sooner was she whisked away from the venue, Sunny turned to Facebook to record her appreciation: “No words… Can’t thank the people of Kochi enough. I was so overwhelmed by the love & support. Never will forget God’s Own Country Kerala! Thank you,” she posted.

Kerala youths :

Many of the youths who came had bunked college, while many had come from neighbouring districts and had camped near the spot from 10.30 am to get the best vantage point. “We came all the way from Pala for the event as we have been following the news on social media. How could we return without getting a glimpse of her,” said a breathless Anto Jacob.

Even as the anchor of the show kept trying to promote the shop as the inauguration got delayed, the crowd began to get out of control, blocking the arterial road and bringing traffic to a standstill. Many of the youths were perched on top of hoardings, on roofs of shops and on top of stationary buses. Though the youths were enjoying themselves, Kochi’s harried commuters were grumbling. So too the police. “I was stuck in traffic for hours. It took me at least two hours to reach Kacheripady from Kadavanthara. How can the authorities allow public roads to be blocked for a private function,” fumed Akhil PR.

Even ambulances were forced to halt till police literally pleaded through a megaphone to the youths to make way . “It could be a family member of yours in that ambulance. Please control your excitement and let the ambulances through,” a police officer was heard announcing. In the evening, Central police filed a case against the shop management for obstructing a public road. But those youths, drooling over their idol, could hardly care.