Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" set for May release in India

Mel Gibson's popular film, "The Passion of the Christ", will hit Indian screens in early May and those in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh thereafter, the film's distributor said.

Los Angeles-based Kintop Pictures has secured the rights to Gibson's blockbuster controversial film for the four South Asian countries.

"We will release the film in the first week of May in India," said Suri Gopalan, head of India distribution at Kintop Pictures.

"After the India release, the film will be released in the other three countries."

Gopalan said late Wednesday the distributors had held private screenings of the film in India with various Christian leaders due to the controversy surrounding its alleged anti-Semitic theme.

"We have testimonials from various Christian officials," Gopalan told AFP.

"The Passion of the Christ" has already grossed more than 300 million dollars worldwide to become one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.

The film, which depicts the final hours of Jesus Christ's life before crucifixion, some Jewish leaders have said it incites anti-Jewish hatred.

Gopalan said Kintop Pictures is currently producing "Bride and Prejudice", directed by London-based Gurinder Chadha and starring former Miss World and popular Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai in the lead role.