'Kaththi' to be released under police protection

Chennai: Police protection is being provided for a film release in India's southern Tamil Nadu state after some groups protested against it.

Pro-Tamil groups allege the producers of Kaththi have business links with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

On Monday, two theatres accepting advance bookings of the film in Chennai city were attacked.

Analysts say the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils has an emotional and often a political echo in Tamil Nadu.

There have been protests in the state over the treatment of Sri Lanka's Tamil minority in the past.

Tamil actor Vijay, who stars in Kaththi (Knife), has issued a statement that the name of the producer will be removed from the film's promotional material and titles.

The action thriller directed by AR Murugadoss will be released in 440 theatres.

Karunamoorthi, one of the producers, told the Indian Express that the film would be released on Wednesday and "police protection would be in place to prevent any untoward incident".

Police have detained five people in connection with Monday's attack. Nobody was hurt in the incidents.

India supported military action against Tamil Tiger rebels for most of the Sri Lankan war, but always cautioned Colombo about protecting the rights of the Tamil civilian population.