Lamenting that multiple taxes pose a serious threat to the film industry, reputed film makers on Wednesday strongly pitched for a single tax on cinema. Ace film maker Yash Chopra, who is also Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Entertainment Committee chairman, said the multiple taxation is a serious threat to the survival of the industry.
"It is a serious threat to the movie industry. We are already paying services tax. We are paying corporate tax. These are serious issues. I think we all should sit together and sort out. We made representations to the government also," Chopra told mediapersons on the sidelines of 'Media and Entertainment Business Conclave' a two-day deliberation organised by business chamber Ficci.
Promoter of Ramanaidu Studio, D Suresh, said the Indian film industry is the only industry that is subjected
to multiple taxes.
The industry has been pitching for inclusion of the entertainment tax into the proposed GST regime to create a common tax rate in all states and also reduce the tax burden.
"We are the only product that is double-taxed. We are already paying entertainment tax. No other product in the country will have double taxation. . . Do not make it multiple," Suresh said.
Eenadu chairman Ramoji Rao in his key note address said advanced digital technology may one day make it possible for film makers to directly release the digitised film content to theatres, eliminating the risk of piracy.
