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

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

According to latest reports, Tamil superstar Rajnikanth also joined the protests.