'The Kerala Story' declared tax-free in UP

UP, 9 MAY: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that the Malayalam film 'The Kerala Story' will be exempted from tax in the state. The Chief Minister made this declaration on Monday during a meeting with a delegation of filmmakers from Kerala who were in Lucknow to promote their film.

The delegation, led by the director of the film, expressed their gratitude towards the Chief Minister for his gesture. "We are overwhelmed by the support extended to our film by the Chief Minister. It is a recognition of the hard work put in by the entire team behind the making of this film," said the director.

The film, which is based on the lives of fishermen in Kerala, has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by fishermen and their families in the state. The film has also been screened at several film festivals across the country and has won several awards.

The Chief Minister's decision to exempt the film from tax is being seen as a boost for the film industry in the state. Filmmakers from Kerala have been facing several challenges in recent times, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of theatres.

The move has also been welcomed by the film fraternity in Uttar Pradesh. Several filmmakers have lauded the Chief Minister's decision and have called for more support to be extended to the film industry in the state.

This is not the first time that the Uttar Pradesh government has exempted a film from tax. In the past, several films, including 'Padmaavat' and 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' have been declared tax-free in the state.

The move by the Chief Minister is expected to encourage more filmmakers to explore the state as a shooting destination. Uttar Pradesh has been a popular destination for filmmakers in recent years, with several films, including 'Raees', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'Sultan' being shot in the state.

Overall, the declaration of 'The Kerala Story' as a tax-free film in Uttar Pradesh is being seen as a positive move for the film industry in both states.