A Tamil Nadu court today directed police to probe a complaint against popular actor Kamal Haasan for allegedly making insulting statement about Hindu epic Mahabharata.

The actor allegedly made the remarks during a March 12 interview to a private Tamil television channel. The Judicial Magistrate in Valliyur, Senthil Kumar, directed police to investigate the complaint by Athinathasundaram, president of the city-based Anju Grama traders association.

Athinathasundaram is also secretary of the Narumboonathar temple devotees federation. The complainant alleged that the actor, in response to a question from the interviewer about violence against women, particularly in the film industry, said in this country people read even the epic Mahabharatha wherein a woman was staked in a dice game.

He submitted that Kamal Haasan had 'insulted' Hindus by his alleged remarks. The judicial magistrate directed police to investigate the case and file a report at the earliest.