Two lawyers have filed a public interest suit against famed movie director Zhang Yimou for violating the family planning law, claiming damages of 1 billion yuan ($164 million).

"Rich people who have more children than allowed by the law have seized more social resources and caused inequality. They  are actually looting other law-abiding members of the public," lawyers Guo Chengxi and Jia Fangyi declared on Thursday in Shanghai.

Zhang has been under the national spotlight since June when there were claims he had seven children.  The director eventually stated online on Sunday stating he has three children with his current wife.

If the case is accepted by the court, more cases of rich people having excess children will catch attention, said Liao Zhengang, a lawyer with the Beijing-based Fucheng Law Firm.

Zhang posted another statement Wednesday in response to online questions as to why he had chosen to give up his US green card, since in the US he would have no problem with however many children. Zhang said that he is Chinese and would feel no regret in making his children Chinese citizens.