Tamil film row: Cinemas vandalised

Tamil groups alleged that the movie is produced by a Rajapaksa aide

Chennai, Oct. 21: Amid opposition to the release of Vijay- starrer Kaththi ( knife) from some proTamil groups, two cinema theatres here, where the film is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, were vandalised by unidentified persons.

The police said five persons were on Tuesday arrested in connection with the attacks on Monday night. All the five persons belong to Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam ( TDPK), it said.

Unidentified persons had pelted stones at Satyam theatre and Woodlands theatre here late on Monday night, damaging property, including glass panes.

The attack was suspected to be the handiwork of Tamil groups opposed to the release of Kaththi, which, they allege, was produced by a person close to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Thamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi president Velmurugan said that the producers of the film had accepted to remove the name “Lyca” from the publicity material and hence they were withdrawing their opposition to the film.

If the name “Lyca” appeared in the film, they would continue their protests, he added.

Actor Vijay earlier said all issues had been resolved with the producers heeding demands that their name be removed from the film’s publicity material. Vijay said the producers had accepted to remove their name from material.