When I first read it in a Times Of India article I thought that someone from TOI had got it wrong and in a hurry copy pasted a story from the Faking News website. So, I decided to check it out for myself. And lo behold – it is true – Rajnikanth’s website does run without Internet or so to say it runs without Internet only. You need to disable your Internet connection to enter the website and if you turn up your Internet connection while surfing the website it will give the error message - “Aiyyo! That was unexpected. To keep browsing, switch off your Internet“. Without much ado check out the website - www.allaboutrajni.com and check the miracle for yourself. 
While I am not sure how the team at WebChutney has managed to do this, its indeed a fantastic way to virally market the movie site – DesiMartini.com. Must say, WebChutney does keep coming up with innovative viral marketing ideas for their clients. Some more of there popular work can be checked here. However I believe the Website’s main idea and concept will reduce its chance of becoming a viral hit, as while browsing the website you have to disconnect from the Internet and hence use of social media plugins is not possible. Here are a few things WebChutney can do to increase the viralness of the website-
1. A small step like having a FaceBook share or a Tweet button on the home page of the website and on the pop up that notifies you that you have been disconnected from the website when you connect to the net , will help increase social sharing by people using the website.
2. The home page should contain social media plugins where fans can post in their favorite Rajni jokes and stories which can help to serve as the content for the website. This will help not only to increase user engagement but also help increase the content available on the website.
P.S. – If anyone has a idea how the WebChutney team has managed to make the website work without the Internet, then do share it in the comments section below.
4 comments
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$haggy says:
January 20, 2012 at 5:55 pm (UTC 0)
I guess its a flash file
When U reach the site, the file is already downloaded to ur machine
Amit K says:
January 20, 2012 at 6:05 pm (UTC 0)
could be…but the website works quickly once you have switched off the Internet. If it indeed is a flash file then it does manage to create a very good impression of being an actual website.
Any idea how the Internet detection thing works?
Kiran says:
January 21, 2012 at 12:00 am (UTC 0)
As mentioned in The Hindu article, some algorithm running in the back end looks for data packet transfer. The moment this goes to zero then they might be activating / starting some flash file.
Kiran says:
January 21, 2012 at 12:09 am (UTC 0)
In continuation… you delete all cookies. Disconnect internet and then type site URL, it will not connect !! So $haggy prediction is true that it indeed a flash file and data packet transfer rate is used to detect your connectivity with internet.