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Gandhigiri has no takers in Bapuland
Rajkumar Hirani?s Lage Raho Munna Bhai hasn't been given a tax exemption in Gujarat, writes Diganta Guha.
Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munna Bhai — which has been in the news largely for its stress on Gandhian values — has not yet been given tax exemption in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who applied for relief from taxes, says he is surprised that the film got exemption in most parts of the country except Gujarat, the birthplace of the Father of the Nation, and Uttar Pradesh, one of the major states actively involved in the freedom struggle.
“It’s shocking! What else can I say,” says Chopra. “It’s not going to make much of a difference to the business of the film since it is already doing well at the box office but there are people who cannot afford to watch the movie in theatres and I would like to ensure that maximum people watch it.”
He adds that he has received a very positive response from states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and even Chattisgarh. “Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit personally called me and praised the film and made it tax free within four days,” says Chopra. “My film is running its fourth week and is into its fifth. If you have to make it tax free, you do it soon, otherwise what’s the point,” he laments.
Incidentally, the film starring Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and Vidya Balan, which released September 1 this year, lost to Rang De Basanti as India’s official entry to the Oscars but is still contesting for the Oscars as an independent entry. The film was screened at the University of Southern California 27th October. The screening was meant for cinema students and the Hollywood media.
Gujarat has been unkind to Bollywood of late. Earlier this year, the state government banned the screening of Aamir Khan starrer Fanaa because of the actor’s support for the Narmada Bachao Andolan activists.
