Chennai: Hollywood star Mel Gibson's blockbuster and controversial film 'Passion of the Christ' would be released without any cuts across theatres in south India from May 7.

Announcing this at a press conference here, veteran Hollywood film producer and President of Kintop Pictures, which releases the film in India, Deepak Nayar said "we were delighted when the Indian Censor Board cleared the film with a 'A' certificate and without effecting any cut." "Indians are really lucky to see the film, a historic cinema uncensored," he added. (See: Premiere pictures of `Passion`)

Apprehensive of Censor Board making some cuts, Mr Nayar said as each and everyone of the frame was important, any cut would have made the whole film meaningless.

As Mel Gibson was insistent that the film not be dubbed in any language, it was being presented in its original form with English sub-titles. "We are working out to have sub-titles in regional languages for the benefit of viewers in B and C class centres," he said. (Read: Randor Guy writes about `Passion`)

The investment would be huge as all materials, right from posters to prints would be imported from London. He was planning to import about 50 to 60 prints for the release in south India, which alone would cost about Rs one crore.

The film would be released in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and at a later stage in Goa, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, Mr Nayar said.

Dismissing the criticisms about the film as pre-judged, he said the Indian clergy had spoken volumes about its authenticity as Mel Gibson had done exhaustive research before filming the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life.

"It was not a film of religious propagation as it did not talk about miracles conducted by Christ nor talk about Christianity."

Noting that the film was shown to all Christian leaders across the country and those who had seen the movie were moved by it, he said "you can feel it happening in front of you and you will be left numb after seeing the movie."