New Delhi:
In a relief for the common man, the government on Saturday decided to cut GST rate on movie tickets. Serving entertainment to the citizens without burning a hole in their pocket, GST on cinema tickets costing up to Rs 100 has been brought down to 12% from 18%, while tickets costing more than Rs 100 will now attract a GST of 18% from earlier 28%. This decision has been welcomed by the entire film fraternity.
Film and Television Producers Guild of India President Siddharth Roy Kapur has thanked the government for reducing the GST on film tickets.
“On behalf of the Indian film industry, I would like to thank the government for taking this progressive step. This will help the industry move forward positively with increased investments in both exhibition infrastructure and creative development, enabling even better cinema and greater screen density across the country. We look forward to continuing to engage with the government on initiatives that will help to unleash the full potential of the film industry. Cinema can be a significant instrument of Indian soft power around the world, while continuing to act as a uniting force for all Indians - a role it has played for more than a century†said Kapur.
Kapur, in 2017, had expressed grief over GST implementation by terming it as a strain on the overall economics of film-making and also discouraging the public's cinema-going habit.
“Because of the tax of 28 percent on cinema tickets above Rs 100, which comprises the bulk of the cinema tickets sold in the country, the cinema-going habit is being discouraged. This really does put a massive strain on the economics of film-making," Kapur told IANS in an interview.
Along with Siddharth Roy Kapur, Bollywood celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, film trade analyst, Taran Adarsh has also expressed their gratitude to the government for addressing their issues. Take a look at the tweets:
Quick action and how! Within a few days of our meeting with hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, the Government addressed our concern...GST for movie tickets to be reduced. A welcome move for the industry and audiences as well.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 22, 2018
Superb news for #IndianFilmIndustry. Cinema tickets upto Rs. 100 which were under 18% GST slab is brought down to 12% slab. Tickets above Rs. 100 were under the 28% slab. These tickets will now be under 18% slab. Thank you PM @narendramodi & officials for this great decision.ðŸ™ðŸ˜Š
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) December 22, 2018
Would like to thank our Prime Minister @narendramodi for the swift action on the GST rate on movie tickets....Great news at the year end! Thank you sir for your proactivity and support..... https://t.co/QEn303lBti
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) December 22, 2018
The voice of the film industry was finally heard and immediate action taken, thanks to @narendramodi ji.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) December 22, 2018
For movie tickets priced below Rs. 100 the tax has been reduced from 18% to 12% now and for tickets priced above Rs. 100 the tax has been reduced from 28% to 18% now.
Reduction in GST on cinema tickets: Producers Guild of India welcomes the decision pic.twitter.com/ytA76Y6hOB
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 22, 2018
AÂ delegation of Bollywood producers and actors on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, at Raj Bhavan here to discuss the issues being faced by the Indian film industry.
Heartfelt thank you to the honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for taking out time to hear us at length, discuss issues pertaining to our industry and assuring positive consideration of suggestions. pic.twitter.com/ShGfr0Jlvu
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 18, 2018
Producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Karan Johar, Sidharth Roy Kapur, the president of the Film Producers Guild, Rakesh Roshan, Ronnie Screwwala, Prasoon Joshi, the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) were part of the delegation.
