No movies to be screened in Kerala theatres from June 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Film producer organizations are planning a cinema strike in the state from June 1. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of film organizations on Thursday. The strike has raised demands including withdrawal of the entertainment tax, GST tax and a reduction in the huge remuneration of film stars.

Even when faced with a huge crisis, the stars are not ready to reduce their remuneration. The producers also pointed out that despite several efforts the government was not ready to discuss the issues related to entertainment tax. The organisations have thus decided to not allow the filming or screening of movies from June 1st.

'Even new actors demand high remuneration. Apart from this, the actors are also entitled to GST tax and it is impossible to go ahead with this. Apart from this, the government also collects entertainment tax."

The producers' association has written to the actors' union AMMA, demanding the actors bring down remuneration considering the hardships of the producers.

The organisations also mulled a plan that the actors be paid full remuneration only before release and not before the dubbing session. However, AMMA has not responded to these demands.