Tamil Nadu: Tax row ends, movies to be released for Deepavali

Chennai: The stand off between the film industry bodies and the state government over entertainment tax ended on Friday with the state cutting it to eight per cent from 10 per cent and regulating prices of tickets to cinema halls. Tamil Film Producers Council chief Vishal, after a meeting with Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, said the entertainment tax by local bodies have been cut to eight from 10 per cent by the government.  He thanked the Chief Minister for listening to their pleas. Vishal also thanked actor and MLA Karunaas for mediating between government officials and film bodies. He said, “The revised rates for theatres will now be multiplex — Rs 50 (min) and Rs 150 (max) Eg: Sathyam, Inox, PVR;  AC theatres — Rs 40 (min) and Rs 100 (max) Eg: Sangam, Kamala, Udhayam, Devi Non AC theatres — Rs 30 (min) and Rs 80 (max).”

Coming to the entertainment tax for which the industry was asking a total waiver, Tamil Film Producers Council chief Vishal said, “The government has come down to 8% LBET from 10%. They explained the reason why they have to charge entertainment tax, and as it was justifiable, we agreed to it. The tax for other language films (English, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi) still remains at 20 per cent, and we have requested them to reconsider about bringing it down.

He added, “If any theatre sells ticket rates above these new stipulated rates, the public can directly complain to the government or authorities or police and also finally to the TFPC members in toll free numbers. We will take action against the theatre, and they’d have to face the consequences. With regard to the canteen rates, no theatre will sell sealed products above MRP rates.  “We have also requested about regulating the parking ticket, he revealed. We are also working towards reducing Internet booking charges,”  he added.

Abirami Ramanathan said, “We are happy with the decision. Within the stipulated rates of 150 and 50, the government has given the option of applying to them and increase or decrease the ticket prices depending on whether it is big or small films. We will also sell all products within MRP rates.”