Representatives of Tamil film industry began an eight-hour-long fast at Chepauk here condemning the attacks on cinemas screening Tamil films by pro-Kannada groups protesting Tamil Nadu's decision to go ahead with the Hogenakkal water project.

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Wearing badges to show their opposition to the project and pride in Tamil culture, scores of personalities including actors Vijay Kumar and Radha Ravi and leading technicians participated in the fast, called by Tamil Film Chamber of Commerce.

Speakers at the fast condemned the attack on cinemas screening Tamil films in Bangalore and said the film industry was the first victim during such issues.

Rajini arrives at the fast amidst thundering applause. 'Super Star' Rajinikanth took the dias amidst his fans cheering him. He exchanged plesantries with Sarath Kumar and sat next to him on the dais.

Wearing a pyjama kurtha, the actor was wearing a black hat and was seen waving his fans. He patiently listened to the likes of Kushboo, Arjun, director Perarasu speaking on the occasion.

Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan came around 2.30 PM. The actor returning from the USA, came to the venue straight from the airport.

A grand dais was erected and security was tightened in the area. Police have been deployed in large numbers to exercise round-the-clock vigil. Metal detectors have been installed near the dais and sniffer dogs have been rushed to the place.

According to Sarath Kumar, president, South Indian Film Artistes Association, 'all technicians and artists of Tamil industry who are of Karnataka origin must also participate in the protest, failure of which would lead to noncooperation from the industry here. Even those involved in shooting in other places and abroad must cancel their schedule to take part in the protest, he added.

As a result of which the fast has been witnessing actors and actresses turning up in large numbers. Superstar Rajinikanth, DMDK chief Vijayakanth, Film Chamber president K R G, Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan, Nadigar Sangam chief Sarath Kumar, directors S P Muthuraman, P Vasu, Simbhu Devan, Seeman, editor Mohan, producers Sudeesh, K Rajan, Swaminathan, actors Sathyaraj, Sundar C, Karan Vijayakumar, Murali, Mansoorali Khan, Arjun, Arun Vijay, Bharath, Vijaya T Rajendhar, Prakash Raj, Mumtaz, Babylona, Dhanush, Fathima Babu, Trisha, Nayantara, Sneha, Manorama.

Speaking on the occasion, KRG, 'it is a protest to express our opposition to the attrocities being committed against us'.

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