Kamal Haasan States That Filmmaking Is Made Difficult Deliberately In TN
Kamal Haasan recently stated that filmmaking in Tamil Nadu has been made difficult deliberately following the government’s decision to levy 30% entertainment tax over & above the newly implemented GST. The Goods & Services Tax (GST) came into effect from 1st Jul, 2017. Reacting on the double taxation by the state, Kamal Haasan averred in a statement, “Filmmaking has been made difficult deliberately. There are further tortures & systemic corruption that the film Industry has to endure under this regime.” In Tamil Nadu, theatres were shut down on Mon in protest against the high taxation. Kamal Haasan said all factions of the industry are agitated. “I am trying my best as any sensible individual of the film industry to maintain solidarity and not play into the hands of any self serving & avaricious politician,” he added. Kamal Haasan pointed out that except Tamil Nadu, other neighbouring Southern States have desisted from levying additional tax on cinema over & about GST. “In Kerala, the film industry requested the Chief Minister 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 averred. “Karnataka has gone even further to facilitate the well being of the film Industry. Telangana & Andhra are also doing their best for their film industries,” he added. The Dasavatharam actor also averred that Tamil Nadu has left Bihar behind in corruption. “Bihar used to be the nation’s whipping boy when it came to corruption. Now, Tamil Nadu has left Bihar leagues behind. Film industry is one amongst the many industries asphyxiated by the prevailing systemic corruption in the state. I anticipate even stronger protests soon,” he added.
Rajini Extends Support To TN Theatre Strike
Rajinikanth on Wed stated that the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to levy 30% entertainment tax over & 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 the shutdown of theatres on Mon & Tues.
Theatres across the state continue to remain shut on Wed for the 3rd consecutive day. Members of the industry have urged the K. Palaniswami government to do away with the additional entertainment tax. Kamal Haasan on Mon averred, “film making in the state has been made difficult deliberately”. Reacting on the taxation, Kamal Haasan averred in a statement, “There are further tortures & systemic corruption that the film industry has to endure under this regime.” He pointed out,that apart from Tamil Nadu, other neighbouring Southern States have desisted from levying additional tax on cinema over and above the Goods & 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 & Andhra are also doing their best for their film industries,” he added.
