No tax on Munna Bhai
ZIYA US SALAM
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"Lage Raho Munna Bhai" has got tax-free status, except in Uttar Pradesh and the Mahatma's birthplace, Gujarat.
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It is ironic that the film has not received tax exemption in Gujarat, the birthplace of the Mahatma
HAPPY TIMES Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Tell him his film is likely to be a milestone in Hindi cinema, like "Mother India" or "Sholay" and Vidhu Vinod Chopra allows himself the luxury of a full-throated laugh. That is a rare moment he lets his hair down. Otherwise, he is not exactly the happiest man around, notwithstanding the phenomenal success of "Lage Raho Munna Bhai."
Reason?
The film has got entertainment tax waived off in almost all the states across the country, but two vital states have not been as receptive to the satire of "Munna Bhai."
While Congress-ruled Delhi was the first to grant tax-free status to the film, less than two weeks after the film's release, most other states did it this past week.
All except Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. While films like "Sasura Bade Paisewala" and "Panditji Bataina Biyah Kab Huyi" have been exempted from entertainment tax, "Lage Raho... " has not had such luck.
Refraining from reading aloud any political motive - one of the states is ruled by the Samajwadi Party, not too well disposed towards the Congress, the other is a saffron stronghold - Chopra leaves the public to draw its own conclusion. "People across the country have liked it, but obviously some guys in UP and Gujarat have not liked the film. But I feel it is slightly unfair on the people from those two states. I see no reason why they should have to shell out more for watching the same film. If there is an entertainment tax exemption, it should be applicable across the country, in all states."
`Ironic'
He continues, "We had applied for exemption at the same time from all states and most have answered in the affirmative. The tax-free status enables people from all walks of life, from students to senior citizens, to watch the film in theatres. It is ironic that the film has not received tax exemption in Gujarat, the birthplace of the Mahatma."
However, he remains hopeful. "Like Gandhiji in the film, we remain hopeful that truth will prevail. However, the authorities must decide on the issue quickly. No point giving an exemption after six-seven weeks of run because those who cannot afford to pay full price for the tickets would either have seen the film somehow or given up altogether."
Meanwhile, even as Chopra fights a battle back home, there is good news elsewhere for the super hit filmmaker. The film has been invited for a special screening at the University of Southern California. Also, the producers have decided to send the blockbuster to the Oscars as an independent entry. "There is a bit of confusion on that count. Some people feel there can be only one film per country at the Oscars. While `Rang De Basanti' is India's official entry, we are sending `Lage Raho... ' as an independent film. The number of fan mails that we have received worldwide have supported our belief and inspired us to go ahead with sending the film across to the Academy as an independent entry."
Keeping track of the box office figures, the number of prints running across the country, concerned about the Oscars and the special screenings in Ohio... fighting a battle for tax exemption. And of course, planning a third part of "Munna Bhai", besides wrapping up his soon-to-be-released "Eklavya". Really, bande mein hai dum!
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