In the third day of the indefinite shutdown of theatres in Tamil Nadu, it has already registered a loss of more than Rs 20 crores, according to Abirami Ramanathan, President of Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce.
About 1,100 cinema halls and multiplexes, across the state have remained closed since Monday, protesting against the state’s decision to levy an additional 30% tax over and above the GST rate of 28%.
“The theatres in Tamil Nadu have incurred a loss of more than Rs 20 crores. We have spoken to the government and we are hoping that they will accept our demands and we are expecting a positive response,” Abirami told TNM.
The taxes will go upto 60% after including the municipal tax which would be a loss for the theatres. According to reports, out of the 99 films that released till June 30, only one movie was a mega blockbuster. More than 20 Tamil films which were set to release in July have been postponed which includes Madhavan-Vijay Sethupathi’s film Vikram Vedh, Dhanush’s VIP 2, Gemini Ganeshanum’s Suruli Raajanum, Nenjam Marappathillai, Server Sundaram, Meesaya Murukku, reported The Hindu.
Malayalam movies like Fahadh Faasil’s Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Godha, Oru Cinemakkaran released on Friday but did not have any shows from Monday in Tamil Nadu. The fate of the English movies like Despicable Me 3, The House, Inconceivable has also been similar.
The theatre associations had said that they will not run the theatres until the municipal tax is not recalled by the local bodies. "More than 800 theatres are part of the association and we will all be shut from Monday till the local body does not take back this government order," said Panneerselvam, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Theatres Association.
The release of all the films will be postponed and the films which released this Friday will not be running from Mondayonwards," the General secretary had told TNM.
Leading actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have also expressed their views on the matter.
"Keeping in mind the livelihood of Lakhs of people in the tamil film industry, I sincerely request the TN govt to seriously consider our plea,"(sic), Rajini tweeted.
Kamal Hassan also thanked Rajinikanth for voicing his concern. “Let’s request first as gentleman should. Then we shall see,” he tweeted on Wednesday.