Chennai, Dec. 25: The controversy over the Mullaperiyar dam hasn’t spared even music icons A.R. Rahman and Ilayaraaja as pro-dam activists in their home state Tamil Nadu targeted the singer-composers in the dispute with neighbouring Kerala.

While Rahman had touched a raw nerve by hoping that the music of DAM999, a movie on dam collapse banned by Tamil Nadu, would bring back the Oscars to India, protesters demonstrated outside Ilayaraaja’s home demanding he cancel a concert sponsored by a Kerala firm.

A section of Tamils feel the movie, produced and directed by Kerala-born businessman Sohan Roy, toes the neighbour’s line in the controversy over the 116-year-old dam in central Kerala.

Tamil Nadu holds the lease rights to the dam for 999 years, the suspected inspiration for the film’s title. Kerala says the dam has become too old and poses a huge risk to people living downstream and wants it replaced with a new structure. Tamil Nadu suspects the relocation plan is intended at depriving farmers in its southern districts of irrigation water.

In the movie, three songs tuned by Malayali music director Ousephachan for the Hindi version have been shortlisted for an Oscar in the original song category. The movie is also in the race for a nomination in the best picture category.

“It’s very exciting and I want someone to join my league. I hope one of the songs (of DAM999) wins the Oscar trophy,” Rahman, who won two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, had told reporters in Agra on December 23.

The hate messages started pouring in soon on social network sites, with a photograph of him doing the rounds with the caption “Thanks for your betrayal of Tamil Nadu”.

A message from a Netizen said: “Tamils don’t want you in Tamil Nadu any more.”

Another said: “Rahman does not remember the past. It was Tamils who gave him the platform to rise.”

Taken aback by the anger, Rahman said he had only expressed “happiness” that Ousephachan, “a fellow music composer”, was in the contention for the Oscars. “But this had been misconstrued which is regrettable,” he said in a statement today. “I shall always be grateful for the support extended to me by my fellow Tamils.”

He also explained that he had been abroad for over three weeks and was not aware of the gravity of the situation.

Rahman supported the suggestion of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam that the two chief ministers should meet to resolve the row. “One important reason for India’s meteoric rise is our unity and it is imperative that we protect it at all cost,” he said.

Pro-dam protesters demonstrated outside Ilayaraaja’s home today, demanding that he cancel a concert in Chennai on Wednesday as it was being sponsored by Malabar Gold, owned by Malayalis. Ilayaraaja is a brand ambassador for the firm.

“When the entire state is agitated over Kerala’s unjust stand on the Mullaperiyar dam, it would be improper for Ilayaraaja to stage a concert sponsored by Malayali businessmen. We would expect him to cancel the show or we will do our best to disrupt it,” said an activist of Tamil fringe group Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam.

The activist said they would also protest in front of Rahman’s house.