Straight Talk ! Is cinema a sin and a luxury for the common man?
- IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,November 11 2017]
The ruling National Democratic Alliance wilting under the pressure from industry and consumers over the new GST tax regime has reduced the tax percentage of 178 items from the highest slab of 28 percent which is a welcome move. But at the same time cinema is one among the 50 to be termed as luxury and sin goods.
India in general and Tamil Nadu in particular the most preferred entertainment medium of the middle and lower middle class is cinema and far from being a luxury or excess it is the only cheap means for destressing. The high operational costs make it tough for theater owners to run their show especially if the footfalls drop. From time immemorial Iyal, Isai and Nadagam have been nurtured by the rulers as they recognized the importance to the culture and society. Now, sadly the center is adamant on seeing creative expression as a threat and the state only seems to follow suit. The voices of the film fraternity seem to fall on deaf ears and change is no where to be seen in the vicinity. Till the perception changes cinema will continue to be the most preferred entertainment to the masses and a sin to the powers that be.