Actors warned not to avoid protest fast on 7th Jan.

Kollywood strike against Service Tax during 2012 Wall poster

The entire Kollywood would be sitting on a day-long fast on 7th January (next Monday) in order to protest against the imposition of 12.36% of service tax by the central government. The imposition of tax was announced last January and soon after, Kollywood held a protest strike on 23rd February  last year, and it was recalled. But again the central government has come with the plan.

The film industry has now geared up to hold another round of protest and would be sitting on a day-long fast on 7th January. Sarath Kumar, the president of the Nadigar Sangam, said that the strike would be total in all respects. However, theatre-owners have announced that they won’t be closing down the theatres on the said day as the ST doesn’t affect them.

A stern warning has been issued to all actors, actresses, technicians and employees of the film industry not to miss out on the day-long protest fast being organized to engage the government’s attention on the Service Tax issue. Members of all film-related bodies including Nadigar Sangam, the Tamil Film Producers’ Council, the Directors’ Association and leading distributors and producers would be taking part in the protest.

The venue is yet to be decided and it could either by the Valluvar Kottam or outside the Government Guest House near Chepauk. The shooting schedules of all the films slated for the day stands cancelled, it is informed. ‘Tough action’ would be initiated against those who don’t take part in the protest fast on 7th day and they would also be facing ‘boycott’ by other bodies as well, it is further informed.