Tamil filmmaker V Sekar was on Wednesday reportedly been rrested in an idol smuggling case.

The Times of India reported that eight idols worth Rs 80 crore were stolen from two temples in Tamil Nadu in January this year. These stolen idols were allegedly recovered from Sekar's residence. He is also accused of giving shelter to those involved in the theft.

Prateep V Philip, additional director general of police (idol wing CID), has said that 11 people, including a college student, were involved in the theft. The police had arrested small-time production manager Danalingam in May and the investigation led to Sekar.

Danalingam reportedly revealed Sekar's connection in the case after sustained interrogation. The police recovered eight panchaloha antique idols, stolen from two temples in Tiruvannamalai and one in Kancheepuram district, soon after the arrest of the small-time production manager in May.

Within four days, the burglars stole a Shiva-Parvati panchaloha idol from Sriperumbudur and seven such idols from temples in Paiyur and Soundaryapuram in Tiruvannamalai district in January 2015.

Sekar is the producer of many blockbuster films, including "Aalukkoru Aasai", "Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana", "Veettoda Mappillai", "Kaalam Maari Pochu", "Koodi Vazhanthal Kodi Nanmai", "Pongalo Pongal", "Viralukketha Veekkam" and "Ellame En Pondattithaan".