Seven Tamil films not released in protest against local body tax

CHENNAI: Film lovers in Tamil Nadu missed out on seven movies slated to hit the screens today as the industry bodies held back their release to protest the levy of 10 per cent local body tax in the state.

It turned out to be a dull Friday with the film producers council and exhibitors sticking to their decision not to release any new movie from today as part of their stir against the so called "double taxation" -- the local body tax and the 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax -- on film tickets.

New films are usually released on Fridays in the state.

Members of the film fraternity, who went on an indefinite strike in July against GST, wanted the 10 per cent local body tax to be scrapped as they felt it would lead to huge losses for the producers.

The Tamil Film Producers Council, Tamil Nadu Distributors Association and Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association had taken the decision not to release new films.

The films that did not make to the theatres are: "Vizhithiru", "Uruthikol", "Kadaisi Bench Karthi", "Kalathur Gramam", "Thittivasal", "Uppu Puli Karam" and "Azhagin Bommi".

The screening of actor Dulquer Salman-starrer "Solo", released yesterday, was stopped today, industry sources said.

According to an official of Satyam Cinemas, as a result of the decision taken by the Producers Council, there would not be any show for the movie "Solo".

TFPC president and actor Vishal Krishna had recently said the industry cannot afford the new tax.

"The cinema industry cannot operate at this position.

Producers have to pay 40 per cent tax to the government. It is impossible for us to operate. There will not be any new movies from this Friday," he had said.

Voicing hope that the government would consider their demand, Krishna had said only Tamil Nadu was collecting the 10 per cent local body tax.

The associations planned to make a representation again to the state government in this regard.