West Bengal Government Gives Ramayana the Green Signal..Declares It Tax-Free

On the occasion of Vijayadashami, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Namit Malhotra’s ambitious film Ramayana has been granted tax-free status in the state. Such an exemption can help reduce the tax burden on movie tickets, potentially making screenings more affordable for audiences. Under this arrangement, the state government’s share of the Goods and Services Tax (SGST) on tickets will be waived, while the central government’s share (CGST) will continue to apply.

Although the tax exemption does not provide a direct financial benefit to the film’s producers, it could encourage more people to watch the movie in theatres and potentially improve its box-office collections. The move is expected to generate greater interest in the film, and trade experts believe other states may consider similar concessions. Whether more states will follow West Bengal’s example and grant tax relief to Ramayana remains to be seen.