Tamil Nadu government bans Dam 999

Tamil Nadu government today banned Dam 999 with immediate effect after the movie faced a storm of protests from various political parties which claim the controversial film is based on the Mullaperiyar dam, over which the state is locked in an escalating row with Kerala.

Talking about the film Dam 999, Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi said, “The Tamil Nadu government has banned the screening of movie Dam 999 with immediate effect." The government's decision comes a day after theatre owners across the state decided not to screen the movie, saying it was against the interests of the state.

According to PTI, political parties, including DMK, MDMK and PMK had raised their voice against the release of the movie, a Hollywood movie directed by Sohan Roy. The ban comes in the midst of war of words between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the 116-year old structure in Idukki district of Kerala, which is under Tamil Nadu's control and meets the irrigation needs of farmers in southern districts.

MDMK chief Vaiko had said the film, financed by Keralites, starring Indian and Hollywood actors has been named Dam 999, referring to the legal rights held by Tamil Nadu over the dam for 999 years and warned of protests if it was released.