Quake affects Kutch film trade

Komal Nahta

The film trade in the Gujarat and Saurashtra sub-territories of Bombay has been badly affected by the earthquake.

The situation in the Kutch region of Saurashtra is extremely grim.

All 12 cinemas in the region have been shut since January 26, the day of the quake. Vishwajyoti cinema in Bhachau was completely destroyed. Other cinema halls -- Vinay in Adipur, Laxmi and Vaishali in Anjaar, Sur Mandir, Modern and Ravi in Bhuj, Laxmi in Mundra, Laxmi in Mandvi, Jasmine in Kandla and Oslo and Shiv in Gandhidham -- have suffered major damage.

The Kutch Exhibitors Association has sought the state government's help in getting the cinemas back on their feet.

The KEA asked Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel that:

• Entertainment tax paid by the cinemas in the last two years be returned as cash aid to the cinemas.
• Exemption from payment of entertainment tax for the next five years.
• Removal of levies on all equipment for cinema halls.
• Grant of interest-free government and bank loans to the cinema halls.

Even if the relief measures are taken, it is not known when the film trade will return to normal. The scars left by the quake are so devastating it is unlikely that people will have entertainment on their mind for months to come.