Kamal Haasan accuses Tamil Nadu government of attacking the movie business through GST

Movie theatres in Tamil Nadu have gone on an indefinite strike because of the government’s decision to levy GST of 28 per cent plus an additional 30 per cent tax imposed by the municipal corporation.

Strongly condemning this decision taken by the government, southern superstar Kamal Haasan has come out and spoken about this new reform. “Our neighbouring states like Kerala have totally desisted from levying anymore state-tax on cinema over and above GST. The film industry requested the CM of Kerala, Mr Pinarayi Vijayan and he through his Finance Minister quickly announced that Kerala will not be levying any more taxes on the already beleaguered film business. Karnataka has gone even further to facilitate the well-being of the film Industry. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are also doing their best for their film industries.”

Accusing them of deliberately making the movie business difficult in the state, he further stated, “It is only the Tamil Nadu government that has brought the tax to 30 per cent. Filmmaking is deliberately being made difficult in our State. Ironical that this should happen in a State whose chief minister until very recently was a former actress.”

“All factions of the industry are agitated. I am trying my best as any sensible individual of the industry to maintain solidarity and not play into the hands of any self-serving and avaricious politician. Film industry is one among the many industries asphyxiated by the prevailing systemic corruption in the state. I anticipate even stronger protests soon,” said the actor before signing off.