Actor Suriya thanks fans for 'overwhelming' support after receiving threats over 'Jai Bhim'

"Dear all, this love for 'Jai Bhim' is overwhelming. I've never witnessed this before! Can't express in words how thankful I am for the trust and reassurance you all have given us. Heartfelt thanks for standing by us," the actor tweeted.

On Wednesday evening, armed police were deployed at his home in Chennai's T Nagar area following threats of violence against the 46-year-old.

Soon after that, support poured for the actor with the hashtag #WeStandWithSuriya, and it emerged as a top trend on Twitter.

Among those to tweet with the hashtag #WeStandWithSuriya and show support was fellow Tamil filmmaker Venkat Prabhu, who tweeted: "Stand by what is right even if it means standing alone."

Actor Krishh tweeted: "He who can see the invisible, can do the impossible..."

The Tribal Army Twitter handle also posted: "We support social justice. We support humanism. We are against casteism. We support Inclusiveness. We support holistic development of this society. We support Truth And so #WeStandWithSuriya."

Several others also tweeted support for the actor including the All India Suriya Fans Club, which urged their hero to not dignify his detractors with a response.

Journalists praised the actor for the film and its message.

Tweets also poured in from fans in neighbouring Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Security around Suriya's home has been increased after a member of the PMK (a regional political party) offered Rs. 1 lakh for anyone who physically attacked the actor.

The PMK leader, S Palaniswamy, has been booked by the police, said reports.

Suriya, who also produced 'Jai Bhim' and the film's director have also been named in a legal notice - that claims Rs. 5 crore in damages and warns of criminal cases.

It was filed by the Vanniyar Sangam, a group that represents the Vanniyar community that is dominant in northern parts of the state.

Some scenes have triggered the controversy including a shot that shows a man from the Vanniyar community torturing a man from the Irula tribal community.

The Vanniyar Sangam claims the scene "denigrates" the community, and has questioned the renaming of the character to Gurumoorthy.