Two popular cinema halls situated in the heart of the city- Sathyam Cinemas and Woodlands theatre in Royapettah - were attacked by unidentified persons with petrol bombs on Monday night.

The incident is believed to have taken place following the announcement from the producer that Vijay starrer Kaththi will be released as scheduled to release on Deepavali day.

The film has been facing boycott and protests from Tamil outfits, who claim that the proprieter of film's producer, Lyca Productions, has business links with war crimes accused Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sources with the Anna Salai police said the attack took place around 11.30 p.m. when regular shows were being screened at the hall. Miscreants reached outside Sathyam Cinemas in Royapettah in two autorickshaws and an SUV and threw stones onto the glass facade damaging it completely.

A few men ran into the compound and attacked the glass with pipes and fled after hurling in three petrol bombs.The front glass of the hall was completely damaged in the attack.

Few minutes later, a similar attack took place at the Woodlands cinema hall complex in Royapettah.No one was injured in both the incidents. Police suspect the hand of some Tamil outfits attempting to stall the release of the Vijay's Kaththi.

City police have arrested five persons in connection with the attacks and are questioning them further. Heavy police security has been posted at these cinema halls following the attack.

Sword hangs over Kaththi
What is the controversy? The theatre owners stopped making reservations over the connection of a co-producer of the movie to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.Read here The producers of the movie issued a clarification about what they termed a misinformation campaign by some vested interests against the production company. Read here Former PMK MLA and Tamizhar Vaazhvurimai Katchi leader, Panruti T. Velmurugan, took exception to attempts to get the movie released despite pro-Tamil groups opposing the film. Read here The uncertainty over the release of the movie on Deepavali day continues even as the producer, Ayngaran International, claimed to have met the demands of various Tamil outfits. Read here Actor Vijay on Tuesday released a statement thanking producers for agreeing to remove Lyca from the film's banner. He also thanked AIADMK supremo, J. Jayalalithaa. Read here