Johnson Cherian.
Actor Rajinikanth on Wednesday said the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to levy 30% entertainment tax over and above the GST rate of 28% will affect the livelihood of lakhs of people in the Tamil film industry.
“Keeping in mind the livelihood of lakhs of people in the Tamil film industry, I sincerely request the Tamil Nadu government to seriously consider our plea,” Rajinikanth tweeted.
The taxation rate left the Tamil film industry in a disarray, forcing the Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce to announce shutdown of theatres on Monday and Tuesday.
Theatres across the State would continue to remain shut on Wednesday for the third consecutive day.
Keeping in mind the livelihood of Lakhs of people in the tamil film industry, I sincerely request the TN GOVT to seriously consider our plea
Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Monday said, “film making in the State has been made difficult deliberately.”
Reacting on the taxation, Kamal Haasan said in a statement, “There are further tortures and systemic corruption that the film industry has to endure under this regime.”
The Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce on Friday announced an indefinite shutdown of theatres across Tamil Nadu from July 3 due to lack of clarity on the tax amount that will be levied after GST implementation. A scene at Sathyam Cinemas on Monday.
Doing the maths: how the Tamil film industry’s revenues are set to change after GST
He pointed out, apart from Tamil Nadu, other neighbouring southern States have desisted from levying additional tax on cinema over and above the Goods and Services Tax.
“In Kerala, the film industry requested CM Pinarayi Vijayan and he, through his Finance Minister, quickly announced that Kerala will not be levying anymore taxes on the already beleaguered film business,” he said.
“Karnataka has gone even further to facilitate the well-being of the film industry. Telangana and Andhra are also doing their best for their film industries,” he added.
