Komban, a Tamil movie starring Karthi, which courted controversy even before it went to the sets, was released in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday following a directive by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. After tension packed hours in the court room, M Muthaiah (40) heaved a sigh of relief when justices S Tamilvanan and VS Ravi issued the clearance for releasing the movie setting aside a plea by K Krishnasamy MlA who is also the president of Puthiya Tamilagam, an outfit representing a section of the Dalits. The argument against the movie was that it glorified the Thevar community, a dominant section in southern Tamil Nadu. Riots involving Thevars and Dalits are common in districts like Madurai and Tirunelveli. Krishnasamy’s contention was that the movie, if released would, incite communal violence in the southern districts. The justices said it is not proper to stay the release without knowing its contents. But the judges told Krishnasamy that he is free to approach the court on April 6 if he finds the movie a threat to communal harmony.