After the formation of the new government Vijayvarious industries Tamil Nadu they have begun to place their hopes before the administration. The Tamil film industry is also expecting significant changes and support from the new chief minister. Producers, theater owners and distributors say the movie business is facing many challenges in the digital age, including OTT growth, piracy, rising production costs and shrinking theater numbers.Industry insiders feel that Vijay, being someone who comes straight from the film world, will understand these issues better than anyone else. Many producers and theater owners are preparing to petition the government seeking reforms that can help Tamil cinema grow without financial pressure and unnecessary delays.
Theater owners are demanding tax cuts and better support
Cinema Vikatan reports that theater owners have specifically requested the government to waive the local body tax collected from cinema halls in Tamil Nadu. According to Tiruppur Subramaniam, president of the Theater Association, Tamil Nadu is the only state in India to continue to pay GST and an additional local body tax levied on theaters in the state.In the initial period, the tax rate was reduced from 8% to 4%, but today the theater owners want it to be completely abolished. The owners of the theaters have also asked for an increase in the maintenance costs of the theater and a reduction in the electricity rates. Currently, theaters in Tamil Nadu are charged according to the electricity industry tariff, while many other states offer cheaper EME-level tariffs for cinema halls. Theater owners say these changes are necessary to keep theaters running smoothly in the OTT era.
Producers are looking for a single window system and easier filming permissions
Producer T. Siva said the industry does not want to charge the new chief minister immediately, but some administrative changes are urgently needed. One of the biggest demands of the producers is the implementation of a proper “single window system” for shooting permissions. Today, filmmakers face various problems in getting day shoot approvals across Tamil Nadu.Producers say police hold-ups and complicated approval systems often delay filming and increase costs. For these reasons, most filmmakers choose to shoot in Puducherry instead of Chennai. They have also demanded greater authority to organize theater performances and film productions outside the temple premises without hindrance to the worshippers. In addition to this, the filmmakers have requested the inclusion of a complete online accounting system for box office revenue.
Kollywood also calls for action against piracy and development of film city
Producer Dhananjayan Govind and other members of the industry have also pointed out that piracy is one of the biggest threats facing Tamil cinema today. They pointed out that Vijay’s film ‘Jana Nayagan’ also faced online leaks. The producers are now urging the Tamil Nadu government to create a special anti-piracy cyber unit similar to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, which actively blocks piracy of illegal films.Apart from piracy control, the industry is also demanding financial support for low-budget films, awaiting disbursement of subsidies and the development of the Film City project in Poonamallee. There have also been requests to convert single-screen theaters into multiplex-style setups with two or three screens. The industry believes that the changes could lead to better employment opportunities and more number of theaters to help develop Tamil cinema.
