Following the formation of the new government under Vijay in Tamil Nadu, several industries have begun placing their expectations before the administration. The Tamil film industry is also hoping for important changes and support from the new chief minister. Producers, theatre owners, and distributors say the cinema business is facing numerous challenges in the digital era, including the rise of OTT platforms, piracy, escalating production costs, and declining theatre footfall.
Industry Optimism About CM’s Cinema Background
Industry members believe that Vijay, having come directly from the cinema world, will understand these problems better than anyone else. Many producers and theatre owners are now preparing to submit requests to the government, seeking reforms that could help Tamil cinema grow without financial pressure and unnecessary delays.
Theatre Owners Demand Tax Reduction and Better Support
As reported by Cinema Vikatan, theatre owners have specifically requested the government to remove the local body tax collected from cinemas in Tamil Nadu. According to Tiruppur Subramaniam, president of the Theatre Association, Tamil Nadu is unique in India for continuing to pay both GST and an additional local body tax imposed on theatres. Initially, the tax rate was reduced from 8% to 4%, but theatre owners now want it abolished entirely. They have also requested an increase in theatre maintenance charges and lower electricity tariffs. Currently, theatres in Tamil Nadu are charged under industrial electricity rates, while many other states offer cheaper MSME-level tariffs for cinema halls. Theatre owners argue that these changes are essential to keep theatres running smoothly in the OTT era.
Producers Seek Single Window System and Easier Shoot Permissions
Producer T. Siva stated that while the industry does not want to burden the new chief minister immediately, certain administrative changes are urgently needed. One of the biggest requests is the introduction of a proper single window system for shooting permissions. Currently, filmmakers face numerous problems obtaining approvals for daytime shoots across Tamil Nadu. Producers say police interruptions and complicated approval systems often delay shoots and increase expenses. As a result, most filmmakers prefer to shoot in Puducherry rather than Chennai. Additionally, demands have been raised for greater flexibility in organizing theatre performances and movie shootings beyond temple premises without interfering with worshippers. Filmmakers have also called for a full-fledged accounting system online for box office incomes.
Anti-Piracy Action and Film City Development
Producer Dhananjayan Govind and other industry members have highlighted piracy as one of the biggest threats facing Tamil cinema today. They pointed out that even Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan' faced online leaks. Producers are urging the Tamil Nadu government to create a special anti-piracy cyber unit similar to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, which actively blocks illegal movie piracy. Besides piracy control, the industry is also asking for financial support for small-budget films, pending subsidy payments, and development of the long-delayed Film City project in Poonamallee. Requests have been made to allow single-screen theatres to convert into multiplex-style setups with two or three screens. The industry believes these changes could lead to better employment opportunities and an increased number of theatres to help develop Tamil cinema.
