Single-screen theatres to go on a week’s strike from 25 March

MUMBAI: To press for the reduction or abolishment of entertainment tax in the state, single-screen theatres in the state will go on a one-week strike from 25 March.

Cinema Owners and Exhibitors‘ Association president RV Vidhani says, “Yes, we are going on a strike because we want to protest against the huge entertainment tax that we pay. We are paying 45 per cent entertainment tax whereas in many states it has been abolished.”
 
Said Eros Theatre manager Murli, “We want the government to abolish or at least reduce the entertainment tax. It has become very difficult for us to survive and the government should understand that.”

It may be noted that compared to the earlier number of around 1,080 single screen cinema halls in Maharashtra, there are only 650 left.