Chennai: Close on the heels of Pattali Makkal Katchi's (PMK) protest against mega star Rajnikant's 'Baba', Kamal Hassan's new film 'Sandiyar' (Rowdy) has generated a fresh bout of controversy with Puthiya Tamizhagam, a dalit party, protesting against the film shooting on the plea that the film would sprak off communal clashes in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Kamal Hassan, who had planned to start the shooting of the film at Chinnamanur and Bodinayaganaur in Theni district on June 9, had cancelled it though he had made elaborate arrangements by erecting huge sets in the area.

The 'Muhurat' of the film was held at a public function at Madurai a month back, in which Kamal Hassan had stated that the film would be based on an incident.

Following threats by Puthiya Tamizhagam, Kamal Hassan had sought police protection but the Theni district police had expressed its inability, citing shortage of police force as the reason.

The Puthiya Tamizhagam had stated that it would not allow the shooting as the film, based on an old incident of caste clashes, if produced, would create trouble in the communally sensitive southern parts of the state.

'We will not allow the film at any cost as it will spread sickle culture, which is on wane in the southern districts', Puthiya Tamizhgam, chief Dr K Krishnasamy has said.

However, All India Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam (AIMMK), a theatre based party, had offered full protection to the film shooting. Dr N Sethuraman, its president had stated that he would organise a volunteer force to provide protection for the shooting.

PTI