Even though the State Government has made cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s biopic Sachin, A Billion Dreams, entertainment tax-free, movie growers were charged entertainment tax at a theatre here on the day of the movie’s release in the State.
The collection of tax was resented by movie goers as the film was declared ‘tax-free’ by the State Government on May 22.
Finance Minister Shashi Bhushan Behera had announced the waiver of entertainment tax for the movie in theatres throughout the State as the cricket legend is a source of inspiration for the youth of the country.
Entertainment tax of Rs 26 was collected from audiences who had to shell out Rs 140 per tickets at the theatre.
However, the theatre’s officials claimed ignorance about the State Government’s directive and said they would stop collecting tax after instruction from the
distributors.