Dozens of Hindu holy men in saffron robes torched CDs and posters for a new Bollywood film in northern India yesterday, saying one of the movie's songs has language offensive to the faith and should be banned.

Some of the holy men have asked a court in Allahabad, a Hindu religious hub in Uttar Pradesh state, to pull the film from theatres.

A hearing is set for July 25.

The protesters were mostly sadhus - pilgrims who vow to be celibate and renounce material possessions.

The film, Strings, is about a British man who tries to learn Indian spirituality by joining the sacred Kumbh festival.