Last week, Punjab banned the controversial film while the Christian-majority state of Nagaland in the northeast, which has no major cinema halls, stopped sales of Dan Brown's best-selling book on which the film is based.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu said late on Wednesday that they acted on complaints that the movie - which claims that Jesus married his female disciple Mary Magdalene and had a child with her - hurt Christian sentiments.

"The screening of the movie may also lead to demonstrations and disturb the peace and tranquillity within the state," a state government statement said.

Christians make up around 2.34 per cent of India's one-billion-plus population but constitute 6.1 per cent of Tamil Nadu's 63-million people.

Earlier this month, the federal government allowed the screening of the The Da Vinci Code but with a disclaimer saying it was a work of fiction.

The movie opened on Friday in India with packed houses in some cities but many empty seats in others.

In Tamil Nadu, distributors delayed the movie's planned release by a week saying they had other big films already playing in cinemas.