While the 28 percent GST on cinema theaters is already in vogue and the ticket prices have risen to accommodate it the Tamil Nadu government had announced a further 30 percent Local Body Entertainment Tax which caused the Theatre Owner`s Association to shut shop for four consecutive days for the first time in history.

A committee was formed with Karthi from the Nadigar Sangam, Abhirami Ramanathan, Tirupoor Subramaniam and Panneerselvam from the theater's side, Vishal and S.R. Prabhu from the producers' side, R.K. Selvamani from FEFSI and Ananda Suresh from the film chamber. The final round of talks was held yesterday with the government representatives, but has ended in a deadlock.

Abhirami Ramanathan has stated that the officials offered to cut down the taxes from 30 percent to 10 percent, but it was unacceptable because the theater owners had to still shell out about 40 percent tax. Since the Chief Minister and the other concerned ministers were out of state, the officials have asked for some time to discuss with them and announce the final decision on the issue.