Bharati Dubey (DNA; October 4, 2017)

All multiplexes operating in the jurisdiction of Chennai Corporation have gone on strike. This is in response to the Greater Chennai Corporation levying local body entertainment tax of 20 per cent on non-Tamil films and 10 per cent on Tamil films.

Deepak Asher of Multiplex Association of India has issued a statement saying, “We most humbly appeal to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and commission of Chennai Corporation to consider our request favourably and withdraw the LBET levied on the film exhibition industry in Chennai immediately.’’

Asher said, “The withdrawal will ensure the survival of the film industry and will support an environment of safe, secure and wholesome entertainment option for the people of Chennai.’’

Trade pundits feel the sudden strike by the multiplexes is bound to affect the business of Judwaa 2 which has released last week and Spyder too. A source said, “About two to three per cent of the business of Hindi films comes from Tamil Nadu so business of Judwaa 2 will get affected and Spyder which is doing extremely well at the box office will also take a beating.’’