'The Da Vinci Code' hits silver screens in TN

Chennai, July 14 (UNI) After overcoming legal hurdles, the controversial film ''The Da Vinci Code'' today hit the screens in Tamil Nadu, six weeks after it was released in rest of the country.

The film was released with police protection in about 35 theatres across the state, in English and Hindi versions. It was screened in seven theatres in Chennai city.

Sources close to the Film distributor in Tamil Nadu told UNI that the response was 'good'.

''If it had been released earlier along with other states, the response would have been better,'' they said and added the first shows almost ran to packed houses.

''We will gradually increase the screening to 40 theatres in the next couple of days. Initially, there might be fear among the people, but the response will pick up in the next couple of days,'' they said and added there was full cooperation from all sections of the people in screening the film sans any demonstrations or protests.

Police sources, when contacted by UNI, confirmed that protection was given to the theatres where the film was being screened, to prevent any untoward incident.

A sub-inspector of police and four constables were deployed on bandobust duty at each theatre.

The film ran into legal wrangles after the state government banned screening of the film following strong resentments among the Christian community.

However, Madras High court cleared the decks for the release by quashing the ban order a few days ago.

The judgment copies were given to all the theatres, district collectors and district police headquarters.

A disclaimer was also being screened during the beginning and the end of the film.

UNI GV GM SK RN1910