Mumbai: Directors like Hansal Mehta and Sudhir Mishra voiced their disappointment over this year's budget which was presented today by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. 'Shahid' helmer Mehta criticised the budget saying, "Entertainment tax makes tickets expensive and service tax makes budgets higher. Films aren't making money. The govt obviously doesn't care. They want to control what we say or show in our films. But do nothing for us with the money they collect from us. Achche din aa gaye!" Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, a member of censor board, expressed his displeasure over the film industry being neglected from the budget.
"As expected no mention of the #Entertainmentindustry in the present budget is sad. #Budget2015. Govt uses stars to promote their states & their events but doesn't even consider it to be worth a mention in the #Budget2015," Pandit tweeted. "Entertainment industry, besides entertaining plays an important role in the nation's economy & govt considers it to be non-existent. #Budget2015," he added.
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra echoed Pandit and Mehta's sentiments, saying, "And I thought cinema per se should be given a tax holiday (not the private earnings of people). Would create an explosion of soft power for India."
Director Suparn Verma posted, "Nothing for the film industry as usual #Budget2015." "Did I miss out anything on Entertainment industry or is there nothing there at all ? #Budget2015," actor Sanjay Suri posted on twitter.
Actress Tapsee Pannu criticised the service tax hike to 14 per cent from 12.36 percent, saying, "Service tax might be raised from 12.36 per cent to 14 per cent. This tax is affecting the whole mood and idea of service! Not a pleasant one at all."
The Finance Minister announced that a centre for film production, animation and gaming will be set up in Arunachal Pradesh today but other than that there were no major mentions about the film industry.
