Ramayana Movie Tax-Free in West Bengal: Grand Dussehra Bash Sparks Epic Celebration
CM Suvendu Adhikari announces the upcoming Ramayana movie will be tax-free in West Bengal during grand Dussehra celebrations in Salt Lake.
In a move that has sent waves of excitement through cinema lovers and devotees alike, the West Bengal government has announced that the highly anticipated Bollywood epic Ramayana movie tax-free status will be granted in the state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during the lavish Dussehra celebrations in Kolkata, marking a moment of cultural and cinematic significance.
A Celebration of Epic Proportions
The announcement took place amidst the grand festivities organized by the Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad. This year, the event was centered around the poignant theme ‘Ram Er Ayodhya – Ram Ki Ayodhya’, symbolizing the victory of righteousness over unrighteousness. The scale of the celebration was unprecedented, drawing massive crowds to the city's Central Park.
Lalit Beriwala, Chairman of the Trust Board of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, expressed his exhilaration over the event's success. He noted that Bengal had never witnessed a Dussehra celebration of such magnitude, with millions of people gathering both inside and outside the Central Park grounds to mark the occasion.
"Never before has such a grand Dussehra festival been organised on the soil of Bengal. The Chief Minister has made the Ramayana film tax-free. This is a mega-celebration, and its resonance will be felt across the entire country," Beriwala stated.
Joining the Ranks of Tax-Free Cinema
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari shared the news as members of the film's cast and crew joined him for the festivities. He clarified that 'Ramayana' would join a list of other films that have received tax exemptions in the state, specifically mentioning titles like 'The Kerala Story', 'The Kashmir Files', and 'The Bengal Files'.
The Chief Minister further hinted at a broader vision for cinema in the state, suggesting that the government is open to supporting films based on other Indian epics and mythological figures. He mentioned the possibility of future films focusing on Shri Krishna, Arjuna, and the Mahabharata.
The Star-Studded Epic: What to Expect
The event saw the presence of key figures from the film's production, including producer Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari, and actor Ravie Dubey. The movie is being envisioned as a two-part epic, produced by Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with the 8-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
The stellar cast of 'Ramayana' includes:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
A Moment of Solemnity
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the event was marked by a moment of grief. Chief Minister Adhikari addressed a tragic incident that occurred at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata's Chorbagan area. He expressed deep pain and extended his full support to the affected families, leading the gathering in a moment of silence to pray for those impacted by the tragedy.