What Kamal Haasan teaches other big stars

Kamal Haasan has said he will quit cinema if the 28% GST rate fixed by the central government for films in India.

In a press meet organised by Federation of India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the actor has strongly opposed the Indian Government's move to impose 28% GST on all Indian films. This makes all Indian films to pay 28% of their revenue as GST. In effect it will replace the statewise entertainment tax. In Tamil Nadu the 30% entertainment tax on Tamil films is being exempted by Tamil Nadu Government for films that fullfil certain criteria including a Tamil title.

The Ulaganayagan has said it is unfair to treat Tamil films on par with Hollywood and other foreign language films. He said that compulsory tax at the rate of 28% will ruin the fortunes of Tamil film producers and it would be fair to fix the rate at 12% to 18%.

The legendary actor also noted that the GST rate fixed for films is on part with that of gambling. Whereas cinema is an art and not gambling.

Kamal's views are likely to get support from Tollywood, whose representatives have been expressing similar views about how the high tax rate will dampen the profit margins of every stakeholder.

However, he is among the first superstars to have come out so very strongly against the tax regime.  Notice that Tollywood's big stars are yet to speak out on the issue although it has been a hot topic among cinemawallahs for weeks.