Over and above the GST, customers were charged with 10 percent entertainment tax for Tamil films and 20 percent for films made in other languages, according to a media report.
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. The 20 percent local body tax on non-Tamil films, however, is still in place.
Vishal, the president of Tamil Film Producers Council, has proposed five important changes to make the movie-watching experience of audiences easy, economical and hassle-free. “On their part, let the producers bring down the cost of production of Tamil films, which have become unviable.Vishal has raised issues relating to Rs 10, we are raising the issue of up to Rs 40 crore being paid to heroes”, he said.
Government employees in Tamil Nadu have been staging agitations over demands of interim relief till the recommendations under the 7th Pay Commission come into effect.
According to Vishal, theatres will not charge more for the tickets than fixed by the government and they would also sell eatables and other items only at the printed maximum retail price.
He said the producers’ council will work along with the government to ensure that the new regulations are being followed across single and multiplex screens.
The fate of new movies of top stars like actor Vijay’s “Mersal” slated for release for Deepavali next week hung in balance. Movie ticket prices were capped at Rs 120 earlier.
