A probe was begun Friday into actor Salman Khan's alleged telephonic talks with Aishwarya Rai in which he admitted to his links with the underworld, even as protestors across the country took to the streets against the star.

Anti-Salman protests were held in different parts of the country and the screening of his latest movie "Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya" had to be stopped in many theatres as protestors held noisy demonstrations demanding immediate action against the actor.

Scores of activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha were arrested in Mumbai while they were protesting outside Salman's residence in the upmarket Bandra neighbourhood against his alleged underworld links.

The protestors also disrupted the screening of Salman's new movie in at least three theatres. Security has been beefed up around all the cinema halls screening the movie.

Demonstrations against Salman were also held in many other cities including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Kanpur, Ranchi and Kolkata. They demanded that the actor be immediately arrested and prosecuted for his underworld connections.

Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Maharashtra assembly for the second day with the opposition demanding immediate action against Salman for threatening Aishwarya for not performing in an event sponsored by an underworld don.

The government, which has already ordered a thorough probe into the case by the local police, is likely to make a statement on the episode next week.

Police sources say an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the veracity of the phone conversation tapes that were reportedly recorded in 2001.

While Salman's lawyer Dipesh Mehta reiterated that the tape had been fabricated to malign his client, Aishwarya's legal advisor said Friday she would not make any comment about the tapes for the moment.

Speaking to reporters here, Aishwarya's lawyer Girish Kulkarni said the actress had been assured of thorough investigation into the case.

An English daily had Thursday published transcripts of phone conversations between Salman and Aishwarya that were recorded August 28-31, 2001.

According to the daily, Salman began calling up Aishwarya soon before her departure to the US on a 50-day tour.

During the conversion, he reportedly threatened Aishwarya with dire consequences if she didn't perform for underworld don Abu Salem's show. He also admitted his links with Dawood Ibrahim and Guru Satam.