Film industry miffed at govt

Komal Nahta

The film industry is preparing to down cinema shutters all over Maharashtra on December 20 to protest against the government's inaction in curbing video and cable piracy.

A couple of months ago, when the film industry's status as an 'industry' was notified, the industry leaders went euphoric.

The powers-that-be of celluloid world garlanded the ministers, felicitated them, sang their praises...

Has the 'industry' tag been of any purpose to filmmakers? Do they get institutional finance? Do they get electricity at concessional tariff?

The answer is no.

What's worse, nothing might come of it.

Just about three months ago, the Maharashtra government assured one and all that it would stamp out video piracy through the freshly amended copyright rules.

Again, the industry leaders took the ministers' assurances at face value.

Now, matters have come to a head. And the industry will raise its voice.