Following a protest demo regarding the Mullaiperiyar dam issue on the Marina recently, ace filmmaker and president of the Tamil film directors association Bharathiraja has announced a protest fast at a village near Theni. Bharathiraja hails from Theni.

The issue has assumed a different dimension as actors, directors, technicians and other members of the Malayalam film industry held a candlelight protest in Kochi recently, demanding a quick and peaceful solution to the Mullaiperiyar dam issue.

Sources from the film Industry said vehicles would be arranged to carry association members to the fasting venue.

Letters have also been sent to other film industry bodies, including the Nadigar Sangham, seeking support for the proposed fast.

Nadigar Sangham convened an emergency meeting in the city under its president and MLA Sarath Kumar to take a decision on participating in the fast.

Sarath Kumar said, "We would definitely support the directors association. But Nadigar Sangham would hold a separate fast in the city on a later date after consulting our members."