Jaya Bachchan Claims Govt Trying To ‘Kill’ Bollywood, Calls For ‘Mercy’
Veteran actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan voiced her concerns in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, urging the government to support the struggling film industry. The Samajwadi Party leader accused the government of trying to “kill” Bollywood while questioning Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the Union Budget 2025-26.
Bachchan criticised the government’s alleged neglect of the entertainment sector, highlighting the closure of single-screen theaters across the country. She argued that while previous governments had also sidelined the industry, the current administration has taken the issue “to the next level.”
“The film and entertainment industry has been totally ignored and is only used to serve the government’s own purpose,” she stated, as quoted by India Today.
The Silsila actress further pointed out the rising costs associated with cinema, which she believes have deterred audiences from movie halls. “Today, leave aside GST; all the single screens are shutting down. People are not going to movie halls because everything has become so costly. Perhaps you want to kill this industry altogether,” she remarked, emphasizing that Bollywood is a crucial link connecting India to the world.
Appealing to the government for intervention, Bachchan urged the House to consider the plight of the film industry. “I am speaking on behalf of my film industry and making a request to this House on behalf of the audio-visual industry—please spare them. Please have some mercy for them. You are trying to kill this industry. Please do not do this. Today you have started targeting cinema also,” she said.
She also called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce measures that would help the industry survive, stressing that the issue should be taken “very, very seriously.”
Meanwhile, the finance ministry recently clarified its stance on the taxation of popcorn sales. It stated that loose popcorn would continue to be taxed at 5% under GST, similar to restaurant services. However, if popcorn is sold as part of a bundled offer with a movie ticket, it would be considered a composite supply, with GST levied at 12-18% based on the ticket’s tax rate.
On the professional front, Jaya Bachchan is set to appear in Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film, directed by Vikas Bahl, is slated for release later this year.
