We should get subsidies for building theatres: Suniel Shetty

Jan 29, 2016 IANS

Mumbai: Actor Suniel Shetty wants the government to take measures for the film industry like providing subsidies for building theatres and for the industry to be recognised like other industries, in order to take it to an international level.

Present at a cricket match for differently-abled by an NGO, Suniel was asked about his expectations from the Budget for the entertainment industry.

"If you are setting up a theatre, then according to me you should get subsidies because eventually we are short of theatres. And even from the entertainment tax point of view, measures are needed," he replied.

"Our industry should be genuinely recognised as an industry where there should be insurance, provident fund, retirement plans. If you see from workers' point of view, our industry workers are the only ones who are ready to work for 24 hours or even 30 hours," the actor added.

"So I hope the government keeps this in mind that not only Bollywood but Indian cinema is a connect with the rest of the world. When you say India, people say Bollywood. I think because of this reason, it is important that it gets an industry status," the actor said.

The Budget announced every year by the finance ministry is eagerly followed by the film celebrities. Reportedly, this year the Budget is slated to be announced on February 29 by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and some others are self-proclaimed movie buffs. Would he like to appeal to the ministers to press these demands?

"I think the government is aware of this. I can definitely say that my minister friends regularly watch all films. Even they are aware that it is through the film industry that India can reach international level," Fadnavis said.

"Be it Switzerland, Malaysia, Dubai, Germany or Italy, they have all used Bollywood to be the face of tourism," he said.

Entertainment tax and other factors determine the ticket pricing of films and hence determine the budget and revenue aspects of films.