Writer-producer seeks tax free status for ''Banaras''

Lucknow, Apr 2 (UNI) A CEO of Pune based IT company-turned-Bollywood writer-producer Lal Chand Singh has demanded a ''tax free status'' across Uttar Pradesh for his debut film venture Banaras-A Mystic Love Story, which is an attempt to rediscover unrivalled Banaras from the present Varanasi.

In the city to promote the film, Mr Singh, the CEO of Pune based Nihilent Technologies, said the film is the culmination of his four-year-old effort ''to extract ancient Banaras from the present Varanasi.'' ''Banaras has been the center of spirituality for over 600 years.

Every Indian spiritual leader from Buddha and Kabir to Adi Shankaracharya has lived here in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

This film also attempts to extract the lost character of Banaras from the modern Varanasi and establish the abode of Shiva on the world film map,'' said Mr Singh, an engineering graduate from Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

''Though I am an engineer, but it is my passion to make films and what better way to begin this quest with a tribute to Banaras,'' said Mr Singh, who has obtained a degree in management from Harward University and established his own company after quitting a prized assignment with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Mr Singh, who originally belongs to Jaunpur district neighbouring Varanasi, also demanded that his spiritually romantic film be awarded tax free status in UP, as 90 per cent of it has been shot at various locations in Varanasi including BHU campus, Ganga ghats and the famous Chunar Fort.

''I have put my best to recreate the ancient Banaras from modern Varanasi and it is now up to the UP government to grant a tax free status to the film to link the mystic charm of the cultural capital to every commoner,'' said Mr Singh who claims to have accentuated the splendour of Banaras at a lecture in Harvard.

When queried about his future as a filmmaker, Mr Singh said he was keeping his fingers crossed and future plans hinged totally on the success of this dream venture.

The films stars Urmila Matondkar, Ashmit Patel, Raj Babbar, Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah and Akash Khurana and would be released on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on April 7.

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