eam Tamil Nadu’s cinema theatres have been shut down since Monday to protest the double taxation of 30 percent tax levied by local bodies, in addition to the 28 percent Goods and Service Tax (GST).
However, for the Yaanum Theeyavam team, the strike has left them in a “punishing” situation.
They wrote, “The crew spent more than two years on this movie, and had to wait another year just to get it out in theatres. Finally, we had a ray of hope, The time seemed right. A date with good number of theatres and just two other movies planned to release alongside. But due to GST effect, more than eight movies took the June 30 date towards the last few days. We had a hit on the screen count, however our confidence on the movie took us forward.”
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However, they said, “It all finishes with just three days of screening in theatres, due to the theatres shutdown against the taxation. Despite the numerous challenges and hurdles, So many young ppl have invested their hardwork, efforts, ideas, money on this movie and managed to deliver a decent and appreciative movie [sic].”
The strike is in response to an ordinance issued by the Tamil Nadu government that imposes an additional 30 percent tax, plus the GST, on movie theatres across the state. Theatre owners claim that dual taxation imposes an unduly heavy burden on them.
Yaanum Theeyavan stars Ashwin Jerome, Varsha Bollamma, Raju Sundaram, and VTV Ganesh. The film released on Friday, June 30, and has reportedly collected a little over four and a half lakhs this weekend.
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