Cinema owners across the troubled northeast said yesterdaythey would continue to screen Bollywood films in defiance of a ban by rebel groups who consider them a threat to local culture.

The indefinite ban on Bollywood movies, announced in August, is due to come into effect from November 15. The militants said the growing popularity of Hindi films would wipe out local culture and authorities added they would provide security to cinema halls screening Hindi filmsafter. There are more than 150 movie halls in the region and despite an appeal for the thousands of cinema hall employees, rebel groups said they would strictly enforce the ban.

?Knowing that this ban would affect the business and livelihood of many people, we have given them enough time to opt for other means for their survival,? a statement from the rebels said earlier this week.