Bollywood disappointed with budget

Mumbai, Mar 1 (UNI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has not looked into the problems of the Bollywood in the Budget 2007-08, the ''Movers and Shakers'' in the film industry opined.

Speaking to UNI, Ravi Chopra, son of legendary B R Chopra of B R Films and maker of hits such as 'Baaghban' and 'Babul', said ''the Finance Minister has not looked into our problems at all. They have not even bothered to make things better. They have looked at other sections and left our problems untouched.'' Tanuja Chandra, maker of films such as 'Sangharsh' and 'Dushman', said ''Well, there is not much in the budget for Bollywood. But it is a huge country and there are many bigger problems for the Finance Minister to see. It is never bad to get any assistance, but if we have not got it, it must mean there are bigger issues at hand.'' ''The film industry is a sturdy, healthy industry and is gettiing back after a rough patch. Maybe next year if there is a focus, we will get something. It is a huge industry which provides revenue to many people. We are managing well. So, it is okay,'' she added.

Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films said, ''They have not done anything for the industry. There is some confusion about service tax, so we are waiting for clarification. We are talking to Chartered Accountants. But, there is nothing in the budget for the Industry.'' Lyricist Javed Akhtar observed ''In most sectors, the budget has maintained its status quo. I am no economist or financial wizard.

But as a layman, I can say that the budget has its priorities right and has its heart in the right place by concentrating on agriculture, health and education. The corporate world will not be too euphoric about it, since the thrust is not on them but then Corporate India is doing very well and their destiny and our destiny are not seperate, they are the same.'' Manoj Desai, owner of Maratha Mandir and Gaiety theatres, said ''It is equal to nil for us. There is no reduction of prices of raw stock, the negatives with which we make films. Each print costs Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 because of taxes. We have been waiting for relief for years. This has been our demand for the past five years.'' ''Ministers have come and gone, but nothing has been done. As a producer, I had released my film 'Khuda Gawah' with 240 prints. Even the expensive equipment like the Dolby Stereo and other things cost Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh. We are disappointed,'' he added.

UNI