Jaya Bachchan, a prominent opposition politician and member of the Samajwadi Party, has criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for neglecting the Indian film industry. During a parliamentary debate on February 12, concerning the federal budget unveiled earlier this month, Bachchan accused the government of failing to provide tax breaks to support an industry facing significant challenges. She emphasized that this neglect mirrors the actions of previous administrations, including those led by the Indian National Congress.
Bachchan, who is also a renowned actress, addressed the plight of Bollywood during the debate, highlighting the government's lack of support for the industry. She argued that the film sector, which she described as "the only industry in India that connects the entire world to India," has been consistently overlooked.
"One industry has been totally ignored by you, and other governments too have been doing the same thing. But today you have taken it to the next level. You have totally ignored the film and entertainment industry because you only use them to serve your own purpose," said Jaya Bachchan.
Bachchan's remarks underscored a broader issue facing Bollywood: the closure of single-screen theaters and the impact of rising costs on cinema attendance. She suggested that this trend could lead to the industry's decline if not addressed.
"Today, leave aside GST, all the single screens are shutting down. People are not going to movie halls because everything has become so costly. Perhaps you want to kill the industry altogether. This is the only industry in India that connects the entire world to India," she added.
In response, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the government's stance, pointing out that no entertainment tax is currently imposed by the federal government. Instead, she explained that such taxes were previously managed by state governments and have since been integrated into the centralized Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The debate highlighted a growing concern within Bollywood about its future in the streaming era. With traditional cinema attendance dwindling and production costs rising, industry leaders are calling for more governmental support to sustain this iconic cultural sector.
Jaya Bachchan also recalled how past Bollywood legends like Dev Anand, Majrooh Sultanpuri, and Kishore Kumar were mistreated by previous governments. Her comments resonated with many in the industry who feel that despite their cultural contributions, they have been marginalized.
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