The theater owner strike has entered the third day today as no solution emerged from the two rounds of talks between stakeholders of the film industry and the Tamil Nadu Ministers held on Monday and Tuesday. Over 1200 movie halls across the state will remain shut for the third day today in protest of the 30% Entertainment tax levied by the state government through local bodies which in addition to the GST will bring the tax per ticket to a staggering 58%.

Voices have been raised within the industry and people have started urging the star actors to raise their voice against the State Government's big blow to the industry. Producers Sashikanth of Y Not Studios banner in his press statement has urged the stars to "speak out their opinion loud and clear" against this. (Read: "The Government wants to hold the industry and producers at ransom"- 'Vikram Vedha' producer).

Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan was one of the first persons from the film industry to raise his voice against levying the highest GST rate on regional films and he has also vehemently criticised the State Government's tax.

Now the Superstar Rajinikanth has also voiced his opinion and requested the TN Government to consider the plea of the Tamil Film industry, keeping in mind the livelihood of lakhs of people. The Superstar who is currently staying in the USA has posted this as a Twitter message.

We hope a solution is attained at least today and the theaters start functioning from today or tomorrow. Already it is alleged that the film industry has suffered a loss of around Rs.10 crores due to the theaters strike.

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

— Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) July 4, 2017