As Maharashtra is witnessing a drastic change in its political scenario with a new government forming today, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd,
which is a leading body that aims to promote the development of the
Indian Film and Television Industry in India, would like to take this
opportunity to highlight some of the key issues and challenges faced by
the industry, which are not only detrimental to the growth of the
industry but will result in an inevitable breakdown of the entire film
industry.
The
entertainment capital of India - Mumbai has been the centre of the
Indian entertainment industry since its inception and this industry
provides employment directly or indirectly to almost 5 million people in
the country. However, serious implications caused by the various
archaic laws and heavy burden of taxation on the Hindi film sector has
stunted the growth of this industry and made several stalwarts
displeased with the system.
The
high taxes imposed on the Hindi Film Industry in the state, like the
Entertainment Tax on films, applicability of VAT on Television
production business, Stamp Duty and the to keep local bodies taxes out
of the proposed GST, have cast a dark spell for the ‘Film Guild’. The
absence of single window mechanism has resulted in systematic harassment
and malpractices over the years, and has increased costs for the
producers thereby significantly discouraging producers from shooting in
the state. In addition to this, the lack of adequate cinema halls in the
state (much lower than southern states) has hampered the growth of the
film industry and directly resulted in increase in piracy and loss of
revenues to the government, as well as the industry.
Speaking about the various concerns weighing down the industry, Mukesh Bhatt, President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India said, “Maharashtra
has always been the home for the Hindi film industry. Sadly, we have
been made to feel like an orphan in our own home state. Leave aside any
support; we are penalized for making films in a language which does not
belong to any other state in the country including Maharashtra. The
impartial treatment given to Hindi film industry in our own state in the
past is obvious when it comes to the high tax structure, archaic laws
and multiple complications restricting growth of the film industry in
the state”
However, showcasing hope in the new chapter in the history of the politics in Maharashtra, he added, “We
are confident that the new BJP government in Maharashtra will address
these pending issues and help the film industry achieve newer heights”.
Mumbai
has been the dream city for a lot of Bollywood actors, who have carved
their space in the history of cinema and in the hearts of their fans
over the years. It’s time that the entertainment industry is rewarded
for all these years of service to the people and required changes be
made in the system, as they hinge their hope on the newly elected BJP
government.
