By Sivaramakrishnan Parameshwaran BBC Tamil Service

	Protesters say the film tried to belittle the Tamil struggle

The film was in the final stages of the production when the Tamil activists led by Dravidian Tamil Movement (DTM) leader Suba Veerapandian stromed into the Gemini Film Labs on Wednesday.

The group have assaulted the director Tushara Peiris and seized the print saying that the film insulted the feelings of the Tamil speaking people in India and Srilanka.

Suba Veerapandian told BBC Tamil Service that they could not be silent spectators when the work of a film which belittles the Tamil national feeling was being produced in Chennai.

He also expressed regret at the director being manhandled by DTM youth cadres.

An agreement was reached with the police officials and the director, he said, to hold the film print in the Gemini studios and that they will express their final say after viewing the film.

Suba Veerapandian denied allegations that it was an act of interfering in a commercial venture between India and Sri Lanka.

While agreeing that DTM members are prepared to face any legal action in this regard, he disagreed that people in TamilNadu do not have a right to intervene in such affairs when there is a certifying body in Sri Lanka.

BBC Sandeshaya could not contact director Thushara Peiris despite repeated attempts.