Sarbjit, Manjhi, Mary Kom and 4 other movies that became tax-free in UP before release

We often read that a particular movie is declared tax-free, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Ever wondered what is it and why is it being done in UP If a movie is declared tax free it means the state has waived off the entertainment tax. Entertainment tax is similar to vat or service tax. And it is levied by state governments. In the recent past we have seen a trend of movies being declared tax-free even before release in UP. The reason behind this is that the Akhilesh Yadav government is promoting UP as most film-friendly state in the country. Here, we bring you a list of those movies which has been declared tax-free before release in Uttar Pradesh in last two years

Sarbjit - Helmed Omung Kumar, ‘Sarbjit’ narrates the struggle of Dalbir Kaur, whose sole aim in life was to get her brother Sarbjit, who had been mistakenly taken to be an Indian spy, out of the Pakistani jail. The movie stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Randeep Hooda in the lead. ‘Sarbjit’, which was release on May 20, was declared tax-free before release in UP.

Nil Battey Sannata - Starring Swara Bhaskar in the lead, ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ is a story of an illiterate maid, Chanda who nurses a dream to educate her 15-year-old daughter, Apeksha. The movie not just won accolades post release, but was declared tax-free by UP CM Akhilesh Yadav before it hit the screens in April this year.

Chalk N Duster – ‘Chalk N Duster’ a film based on the commercialisation of education in India. Starring Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta and Arya Babbar, the movie was declared tax-free before its release in January this year.

Manjhi- The Mountain Man – Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead ‘Manjhi- The Mountain Man’ is a biopic on Dashrath Manjhi. The ‘Mountain Man’ had single-handedly cut through a hill to make a road for his village. Released on August 21, 2015, the movie was declared tax-free a day before release.

Jaanisaar - Helmed by Muzaffar Ali, ‘Jaanisaar’ was a period drama showing the story of a revolutionary killer. Released on August 7, 2015, the movie featured Pakistani actor Imran Abbas and fashion entrepreneur Pernia Qureshi, ‘Jaanisaar’ was declared tax-free17 days before its release in UP.

Hawaizaada - Filmmaker Vibhu Puri's directorial debut film ‘Hawaizaada’, starring Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead was declared tax-free a day before release in January 2015. The movie highlights one of his biggest achievements of flying the first plane ever at Chowpatty, Mumbai in 1895.

Mary Kom - Release on September 5, 2014, ‘Mary Kom’ is a biopic based on the five-time World Champion boxer M.C. Mary Kom. The lead role was played by Priyanka Chopra. ‘Mary Kom’ became the first movie to be granted exemption from entertainment tax in UP before its release.