Owners of cinema halls in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday decided not to screen the film "Dam 999", saying it was against the interests of the state, after political parties raised the pitch against its release.

The decision came as the film generated considerable heat in political circles, with DMK, MDMK and PMK calling for its ban, contending that it was based on the "Mullaperiyar" dam, over which Tamil Nadu and Kerala have a long standing dispute.

Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners' Association general secretary R Panneerselvam said, "The film justifies breaking of the (Mullaperiyar) dam. It is against interests of Tamil Nadu. We have decided not to screen the film to express our concerns."

DMK president M Karunanidhi in a statement said that if the film was released in the state, it would affect cordial ties between people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and create a law and order problem. MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the film - financed by Keralites, starring Indian and Hollywood actors and directed by Sohan Roy - has been named "Dam 999", referring to the legal rights held by Tamil Nadu over the dam for 999 years.