A political alliance in Tamil Nadu Tuesday vowed to step up its campaign against Tamil movies with English titles.

Flying against Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha's warning against "self-styled custodians of Tamil", the Tamil Protection Movement said it would step up its campaign against the screening of such films.

The alliance, comprising the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Dalit Panthers of India, Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam and Tamil National Movement, alleged that the naming of Tamil films in English "ridiculed Tamil".

They particularly criticised Kamal Hassan's forthcoming film "Bombay Express" and S.J. Surya's "Boy Friend".

The chief minister had warned Monday that severe action would be taken against those attempting to stop films in the name of protecting Tamil.

She said: "The government would not remain a mute spectator if anyone tries to indulge in violence to stall the release of Tamil films under the garb of safeguarding Tamil language."

However, PMK leader S. Ramadoss said they were prepared to face the consequences and proposed a long march March 8-12 to highlight the issue.

He clarified that the movement was not against English language or against the Tamil film world as was being projected. The demand was merely for widespread use of Tamil in Tamil Nadu, he added.

Referring to Jayalalitha's statement that there was no law to prevent English titles for films here, Dalit Panthers leader T. Thirumavalavan said the government should introduce a bill banning English titles for Tamil movies.

In the last two years about 80 films were released with English titles, he added.

But Thirumavalavan and Ramadoss' boast looks empty and hollow in the light of the stern warning issued by the Chief Minister.

On Sunday, she made it clear that the government would not remain a mute spectator to their shenanigans.

And in the past, she has shown that she means business and does not mind taking stern actions.

So the stage is now set for a major standoff.