How do films get tax-free: Jhund producer after Kashmir Files sop

One of the producers of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer “Jhund” has sought to know how a film gets tax-free after Anupam Kher-starrer “Kashmir Files” got the incentive from several states, saying that her film also had a subject that is “crucial to our country’s growth”.

Savita Raj Hiremath, one of the producers of “Jhund”, said she is “perplexed” why her film was not made tax-free as it witnessed positive audience reaction.

“Jhund” features Bachchan as Vijay Barse, a Nagpur-based retired sports teacher who pioneered a slum soccer movement. The movie marked the Hindi debut of filmmaker Nagraj Manjule, known for his acclaimed Marathi films “Fandry” and “Sairat”.

A week after “Jhund”, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s “The Kashmir Files”, based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the 1990s, opened in cinemas. The film garnered support from the central government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who endorsed the movie.

“The Kashmir Files”, featuring Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi, was declared tax-free in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Karnataka, Tripura and Goa.

Also read: After tax sop, MP grants leave for cops to watch The Kashmir Files

On Friday, Hiremath wrote on Facebook that while “The Kashmir Files” is an important film, “Jhund” was no less.

“I recently watched Kashmir Files and as the story of Kashmiri Pandits exodus it’s heartbreaking and is a story that needed to be told. It is a good voice for Kashmiri Pandits!
But as the producer of Jhund, I am perplexed. After all, Jhund, is also an important film and has a story and a big message that has received tremendous acclaim and word of mouth from the audience,” she said.

She wrote she was curious to know what is the criteria for the government to select a film and exempt it from entertainment tax.

“So I want to find out what’s the criterion on which the government selects a film to support it so strongly by making it tax free, endorsing it through social media and asking offices to showcase the film or give a half day holiday to its employees. After all Jhund also has a subject that is so crucial to our countrys growth. Jhund is not just talking about the disparity between caste and economic disparity but also shows a way to make the lower strata of society find their success story,” she added.

“Jhund” is also produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Raaj Hiremath, Gargee Kulkarni, Meenu Aroraa and Manjule.

While “The Kashmir Files” has clocked in approximately ₹116 cr at the box office, “Jhund” has netted more than ₹15 cr so far.