A delegation of Bollywood producers and actors such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Karan Johar Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, at Raj Bhavan here to discuss the issues being faced by the Indian film industry.
The delegation also included
prominent film producers such as Ritesh Sidhwani, Siddharth Roy Kapur, the
president of the Film Producers Guild, Rakesh Roshan, Ronnie Screwvala, Vijay
Singh - CEO - Fox Star Studios and Prasoon Joshi, the chairman of the Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The team from the film
fraternity gave an overview of the vast growth potential of the media and
entertainment industry. They also pitched for lower and uniform rates of GST
for the entertainment industry in India, a statement issued by PIB said.
The Prime Minister said that the Indian entertainment industry
enjoys immense popularity across the world. It is one of the key elements of
India’s rising soft power status, globally, he added.
He assured the delegation
that the Union Government is supportive of the media and entertainment
industry; and would consider the suggestions positively.
Check the tweet below…
In above tweet later, Modi said, “Had an extensive and fruitful
interaction with a delegation from the film and entertainment industry. The
delegation spoke about the studies being made by the film and entertainment
industry, and gave valuable inputs relating to GST for their sector.” Kumar,
who was part of the delegation from the film industry, said, “Heartfelt thank
you to the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for taking out time to
hear us at length, discuss issues pertaining to our industry and assuring
positive consideration of suggestions.” Members of the delegation also called
for the development of Mumbai as the global entertainment capital through
various initiatives and proactive approaches.
This was the second meeting
of the filmmakers with the prime minister since October 24 this year. They,
along with actor Aamir Khan and Sidhwani, had met the PM in Delhi.
Sidhwani, according to the
industry sources, urged the prime minister to look towards treating cinema as
an “industry” by acknowledging its contribution to the nation’s exchequer and
fiscal growth, and in promoting bilateral ties between nations as a global
cultural ambassador.
“It was a collaborative
effort to come forward, address issues and seek solutions from the Prime
Minister directly,” the insiders said, adding that the PM “acknowledged that
our films are being recognised internationally and agreed that filmmakers are
no less important than nation-builders”.
“He has assured the
delegation that he will personally work towards setting up a special committee
to look into the industry matters and address them urgently,” sources said,
adding that it was a “productive meeting with a positive outcome.” The prime
minister is on a day’s visit to Maharashtra in which he will launch
infrastructure and housing projects worth about Rs 41,000 crore in the state.