Budget 2016 reactions: Film stars feel Arun Jaitley ignored cinema

Overall, the film industry feels there isn’t enough emphasis on the entertainment sector in this year’s budget.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has presented his third Union Budget. With an eye on supporting the small tax-payer and the small investor, the minister announced a slew of schemes.

Overall, the film industry feels there isn’t enough emphasis on the entertainment sector in this year’s budget. (HT Photos and agencies)

The 2016 budget, a big test for Jaitley, was a tough balancing act between the fiscal consolidation and much-needed spending to revive growth in the economy, especially in the face of rising investor-pessimism on the rise.

Read | Budget 2016: The real test will be in altering ground realities

But what are film stars’ thoughts on the budget?

Overall, the film industry feels there isn’t enough emphasis on the entertainment sector in this year’s budget.

Here are some of the reactions:

“Unfortunately, this year too, the film industry continues to remain irrelevant for the central government. Smaller films pay a big price due to the taxes imposed and despite promises to revise film service tax and cost of exhibition, there has been no revision.”

Dia Mirza, actor

“I haven’t had the chance to go through it in detail but I think the focus this year is on rural development, which is a good thing but I think they haven’t paid much attention to the entertainment sector. I really wished that they would have done that.”

Divya Dutta, actor

“It may be one of the small highlights of the budget but it is one step towards the empowerment of rural women where they will be allowed to get a gas connection in their name. More power to these women.”

Radhika Apte, actor

“The only thing I’d like to say is that either the government should not take tax from a performer or they should provide some support in form of security to the performer. It is sad to see that performers in India are paying such huge taxes.”

Kailash Kher, singer

“I am glad I quit smoking 2 months back since cigarettes have become expensive. I think they have allocated a large amount of Rs 55000 crore for roads and highways. I just wish that they use it for infrastructure development and not forget about it.”

Hansal Mehta, actor

“On the positive side I hope that the ‘pro-rural-agrarian’ budget can put an end to farmer suicides all over the country. We can’t eat cash, we need our farmers to be happy.”

Richa Chadha, actor

“I am not a budget expert, but I do agree it’s a good budget. However, I haven’t seen a focus on education, defense so far.”

Shatrughan Sinha, actor

For our budget special coverage, click here

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