Nationwide Film strike called by the Film Federation of India (FFI) on February 23.

The nation wide strike on February 23rd, called by the Film Federation of India (FFI) is faltering due to lack of response from film associations and exhibitors. The call was made to oppose the service tax imposed by the government on the film industry.
A film delegation met Ambika Soni, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister on Sunday and based on their request to wait till the budget, the strike was temporarily called off. Mukesh Bhatt, the spokesman of the delegates explained that if the budget is not satisfactory, they will reconsider the options.
However, Vinod Lamba, CEO of FFI, reitirated that the strike will go as planned and claimed that most associations are joining with them.
Film producers from Mumbai, exhibitors and many theater owners including multiplexes, have withdrawn from the strike. Suresh Naidu from South India said that producers from Mumbai and almost all of Andhra Pradesh as well as all multiplexes have taken a decision not to join the strike. However, he added that there are a few who would like to go on with the intended strike.
Producer Ratan Jain also claimed that the strike is as good as dead though in Tamil Nadu the agitation might go on. Tamil Nadu is already suffering from the workers strike. Ratan was certain that the strike will be inconsequential.
It is alleged that in some states, the exhibitors are already levying the service tax from the film viewers based on the government's decision. The tax imposed will be carried down ultimately to the consumer and there will be an increase in the price of tickets, a source from the industry said. This will adversely affect the film industry, he added. The source also stated that the industry representatives have been meeting the I & B Ministry and the Finance Ministry prior to each budget to plead their case, but no major concessions have been extended. Duty exemption for jumbo rolles and abolition of VAT on transfer of copyrights in certain specified situations.