Movie tickets may get cheaper in Mumbai

MUMBAIThe film industry is hopeful of a reduction in taxes, which could translate into a drop in cinema hall ticket prices, following a meeting with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. Bollywood had protested against the high entertainment tax in Mumbai.
“The state government has assured the Film & Television Producers’ Guild of India that it would positively consider its demand for reduction in entertainment tax and stamp duty,” guild president Mukesh Bhat said.Minorities minister Arif Naseem Khan was present at the meeting. Guild members thanked Chavan for granting retrospective exemption of VAT on copyright through the sale or lease of cinematographic films for theatrical purposes in the recent budget.
The delegation included senior guild members Ramesh Sippy, Manmohan Shetty, Kamal Kumar Barjatya and chief executive officer Kulmeet Makkar.
The entertainment tax of up to 45% in Maharashtra is among the highest in the country.