Tollywood director Nag Ashwin has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the GST structure on cinema tickets. While welcoming the Centre’s recent reforms, he suggested that the 5% GST rate should apply to tickets priced below ₹250 instead of limiting it to those under ₹100.
Ashwin pointed out that theatres selling tickets for less than ₹100 are very few and argued that extending the benefit to tickets up to ₹250 would support the industry, help theatres grow, and encourage more middle-class audiences to visit cinemas.
The Centre recently reduced GST on tickets priced up to ₹100 from 12% to 5%, while tickets above ₹100 continue to attract 18% GST. The revised rates will come into effect from September 22. Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh welcomed the GST Council’s decision, noting that rationalisation of tax slabs would benefit both the tourism and film industries by boosting employment and strengthening the local economy.
