It is Sandiyar no more. Filmmaker Kamal Haasan has decided to give up the title of his next home production after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today.

 The new title will be decided in a couple of days, he told newsmen after the 40-minute meeting where he reportedly sought police protection for the film's shooting.

 Haasan said, "Even if I name it [Sandiyar] Sahala Kala Vallavan Part II [Sahala Kala Vallavan was an earlier box office hit], it will run."

 He added that the film was not aimed at hurting anyone's sentiments. "Though only a few people wanted the title changed, I have responded to their feelings. The chief minister appreciated my decision," he said.

 Haasan, who had launched the movie in a big way at a public rally in the southern temple town of Madurai, had to cancel the shooting even before it began following protests against the film's title -- sandiyar means rowdy.

 K Krishnaswamy, who heads the Dalit party Puthiya Thamizhagam, said the film, which focuses on the militant superiority of the intermediary Thevar community, would result in caste clashes in southern districts.  

Krishnaswamy said the title Sandiyar referred to perceived heroics of the Thevar community. He also claimed Sandiyar was a sequel to Haasan's earlier box office hit, Thevar Magan. A section of the Thevar community said the title Sandiyar showed the community in bad light.