Karthi Sivakumar on Monday said he always viewed theatre owners like his family members. 'This is because of their affection and support from the owners of cinema halls right from my first film "Paruthi Veeran",' he said.

Karthi was speaking at a function in Chennai, where he inaugurated the Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, North Arcot, South Arcot and Pondichery Theatre Owners' Association.

'The interests of theatre owners should be safeguarded. For that, stringent steps are need to put an end to the video piracy menace,' Karthi said, greeting all the best to the office-bearers of the newly formed association.

Patron of the organisation Annamalai said the new association is not a threat to existing theatre owners bodies. 'In fact, this is being started with the support of Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association. The idea of the new organisation is to protect the interests of theatre owners in northern districts,' he said. President of the association Panneerselvam also spoke.