Have Mercy on Cinema: Jaya Bachchan’s Appeal | Aakhir Tak

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Jaya Bachchan stated in Rajya Sabha that cinema is being targeted and appealed to the government to have “mercy” on the film industry. She urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to provide solutions to help the film industry survive. Bachchan said the government is totally ignoring the film and entertainment industry. She expressed concern about GST and the closure of single-screen theaters. Bachchan urged the government to stop “killing” this industry.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Samajwadi Party member Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday alleged that cinema was being targeted and appealed to the government to have “mercy” on the film industry. Jaya Bachchan made the remarks in Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Union Budget 2025-2026. This issue is crucial for the future of Indian cinema.

“One industry has been totally ignored by you, and other governments were also doing the same thing. But today you have taken it to the next level. You have totally ignored the film and entertainment industry because you only use them for serving your own purpose,” Bachchan said. This statement highlights a perceived neglect by the government.

“Today, leave aside GST, all the single screens (theatres) are shutting down. People are not going to movie halls because everything has become so costly. Perhaps you want to kill this industry altogether. This the only industry that connects the entire world to India,” Bachchan said. This reflects concern over the financial viability of theaters.

Last year, the finance ministry clarified that popcorn sold loose in cinemas will continue to be taxed at a 5 percent GST rate, the same as restaurant services. However, if popcorn is bundled with a movie ticket, it will be treated as a composite supply. In such cases, the applicable tax rate will be based on the principal item, which is the movie ticket, and can attract GST of 12 to 18 percent. This GST structure impacts the profitability of cinemas.

Bachchan appealed to the government not to “kill” the industry. She emphasized the importance of the film industry for employment and cultural representation.

“I am speaking on behalf of my film industry and making a request to this House on behalf of the audio-visual industry, that please spare them. Please have some mercy for them. You are trying to kill this industry. Please do not do this.. Today you have started targeting cinema also,” Bachchan said.

She directed her appeal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to consider the issue “very very seriously”. This appeal was made in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

“I request Finance Minister to consider and please bring something to help this industry survive,” said Bachchan. This plea highlights the urgent need for government intervention.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Jaya Bachchan appealed to the government to have mercy on cinema. She stated that the film industry is being targeted. She expressed concerns about GST and the closure of single-screen theaters. She urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to provide solutions. This was a significant issue raised in Rajya Sabha. 

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