Superstars Rajnikant, Kamal Hassan and many film stars went on an eight-hour fast here on Friday to express solidarity with Tamil Nadu's stand on the Hogenakkal water project and denounce the attacks on cinema houses screening Tamil movies in Bangalore. The presence of Rajnikant, a native of Karnataka who attained stardom in the Tamil film industry, added fizz to the strong response from the film fraternity, which transcended linguistic differences and joined hands to condemn the attacks on cinema houses, buses and Tamil newspapers published from Bangalore. Other actors like Murali and Arjun, also hailing from Karnataka, joined the fast, which was held in a specially erected stage in Chepauk where thousands of fans converged to have a glimpse of their stars and to hear them speak on the issue. Advocating caution and restraint, Rajnikant, in his brief comments to the media, said politicians should resolve the differences and find a solution. "This is a sensitive national issue and concerns the sovereignty and integrity of the nation,' he said. Several actors from the Tamil film industry, as well as top Malayalam stars like Jayaram, addressed the gathering calling for restraint and understanding. The fast, organised by South Indian Artistes' Association, the Film Chamber and the Producers' Council, saw actor-turned-politicians Sarathkumar and Vijayakant, sharing the dais with Rajnikant and actress Shreya. Vijayakant, without naming any party in Karnataka, said it was the elections which made these parties rake up the issue. "Why is this unnecessary fight over drinking water, which has even led to buses being damaged,' the DMDK chief said. The fast also figured prominently in the state Assembly. Leader of the House and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, while responding to a request by Vijayakant, said: "The film industry is undertaking this peaceful protest to send across a message to Karnataka. This House extends its whole-hearted greetings as well as goodwill.' Meanwhile, in Bangalore, the Karnataka film industry came to a halt with members of the film fraternity suspending production activity for the day and staging a protest in response to a bandh call given by the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC). The call for suspending operations and staging a dharna was given by the KFCC at a meeting here last evening to express solidarity with pro-Kannada activists on the Hogenakkal issue. Those who took part in the protest included film personalities Ganesh, Darshan, Jaggesh, Upendra, Ravi Chandra, Tara, Ramya. The family members of Kannada film icon Rajkumar, including Parvathamma Rajkumar, actor sons Puneet and Raghavendra were also present.