Hindi
‘Mardaani’ tax-free in MP and UP
MUMBAI: Rani Mukherji starrer action-drama Mardaani which highlights the problem of child trafficking in the country has been given a tax-free status in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The Akhilesh Yadav-helmed state government as well as the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government announced they would exempt the film from entertainment tax because of the bold social message conveyed by it.
Talking about the movie the MP Chief Minister tweeted, “Trafficking of young girls and women is worst evil which needs to be eliminated. Mardaani has brought it into focus.”
Praising the movie and Rani for her performance he added, “After a very long time, went along with family to watch a movie. Mardaani turned out to be soul stirring saga highlighting a societal evil. I congratulate Rani Mukherji for a wonderful and powerful performance in Mardaani. Aditya Chopra has done well to produce this movie.”
Honored by the response, Rani and Aditya issued an official statement to the declaration. It said, “Thank you Shri Chouhan Shivraj for your appreciation of Mardaani and its message and deciding to give the film tax free status in MP. Trafficking of girls and women needs to be completely eradicated and we film-makers can only do this much in our limited capacity, but with support from you, others will also hopefully join in to take this cause forward meaningfully.”
The movie, starring Rani as a police officer, released on 22 August is generating impressive critical acclaim. The movie collected approximately Rs 15 crore on its opening weekend.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
