The Supreme Court on Friday sought Tamil Nadu's response to a writ petition filed by producer and director of controversial movie 'Dam 999' Sohan Roy that challenged the ban imposed for six months on the film in the State.

A bench of Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly and Justice JS Khehar asked the State's additional advocate general Guru Krishna Kumar how the Tamil Nadu government could suspend the screening of the film after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted a certificate for the exhibition of the movie.

The State government had banned the film on the ground that it would pose law and order problems as it made apparent references to the Mullaiperiyar dam in Kerala's Idduki district which is the bone of contention between the two States.

The filmmaker had, however, denied the state's claim. The apex court had earlier on December 8 asked the state to give an opportunity of hearing to Roy before banning the film.

The Tamil Nadu government, after giving the petitioner a personal hearing, passed an order on December 16, 2011, extending the ban for six months.