Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government’s decision to announce concessions for the film industry received a warm welcome from popular starts.
Top actors Mammootty and Mohanlal besides popular stars including Manju Warrier, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Tovino Thomas, and Dileep took to social media and thanked the chief minister for announcing concessions for the film industry.
In a move to help the film industry in the state, the Kerala government had on Monday decided to waive entertainment tax for cinemas from January to March 2021 along with 50 per cent reduction in the fixed charges on electricity during the lockdown period since March last year.
The decision was taken after Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce officials met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here. Theatres in Kerala will reopen on Wednesday with Vijay starrer ‘Master’.
Mohanlal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the CM for announcing "concessions to energise Malayalam cinema".
Mammootty said the move could revive the Malayalam film industry which was in crisis.
"Lots of respect going out to our Honorable Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan for his efforts to breathe life back into the struggling Malayalam film industry," Dulquer Salmaan posted on Facebook. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone and I sincerely hope his efforts will help pull everyone in the industry back on their feet," he added.
Earlier, the state government had lifted restrictions on theatres and said it could be opened from January 5 with only 50 per cent occupancy and adhering to strict COVID-19 guidelines.
(With inputs from PTI)
