Bangalore: Activists of a pro-Kannada outfit today (Oct 11, 2004) allegedly damaged two theatres showing the Hindi film "Dhoom" violating the seven-week moratorium on release of non-kannada films, a top police official said.

"Kannada Kavalu (watchdog) Samithi" activists entered the theatres "Abhinay" and "Cauvery" situated in the heart of the city; as audience and damaged the screens, City Police Commissioner, Mariswamy told sources in Bangalore.

"The damage is not very extensive. While nobody was injured, about 35-40 persons have been arrested," he said.

The attack comes two days after a similar one on the innovative multiplex showing "Bride and Prejudice". The theatre is closed since then.

Condemning the "act of goondaism", President of the Karnataka Film Exhibitors' Federation (KFEF), Odugowder said an emergency meeting of the federation executive committee would be convened today or tomorrow to review the situation and discuss the future course of action.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President H D Gangaraju maintained that the crisis would be resolved at the Oct 16 meeting in which representatives from the Film Federation of India (FFI), South India Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) are expected to participate.

Karnataka film industry has been hit by a crisis for the last several weeks as the Kannada film producers and artistes have locked horns with theatre owners on the 7-week moratorium on release of non-Kannada films.