'The Blue Umbrella' tax free in Delhi, 'Chak De India' may follow

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Vishal Bhardwaj's 'The Blue Umbrella', which was recently selected for the National Award for Best Children's film, has been granted tax exemption in Delhi while the Shahrukh Khan-starrer 'chak de India' is under strong consideration for similar relief.

Sources in the Delhi Government said 'The Blue Umbrella', based on a novel by famous playwright Ruskin Bond, had been granted tax free status with immediate effect.

''The film has been granted tax exemption sattus as it promotes human values,''Delhi Government officials said.

The story of 'The Blue Umbrella' revolves around a blue-coloured umbrella. An eleven-year-old Biniya, who lives in a small village tucked away in the mountains, doesn't have too many things to delight herself. And one fine day when she discovers the blue umbrella, she is completely zapped. She had never before seen something so vibrant and beautiful.

It becomes a priceless possession. Something she would not let her eyes off.

But what Biniya doesn't know is that even ther local tea shop owner Nandkishore is smitten by its beauty and can do anything to lay his hands on it. But Nandu is not the only one to covet the umbrella. Its presence disturbs the harmony of the entire village.

And as destiny would have it, the prized-possession goes missing.

But Biniya is determined to get it back and the film is about how she sets up her own investigation team and embarks on her quest for finding the umbrella.

The film features actor Pankaj Kapoor and child actor Shreya Sharma.

Also under serious consideration for the tax free status is Shimit Amin's 'Chak De India', which features Superstar Shahrukh Khan as the hockey coach Kabir Khan who brings a turnaround in the fortunes of India's women's hockey team and leads it to a win in the World Cup.

State Government officials said what made 'Chak De India' a deserving film for being granted tax free status was the fact that it brilliantly portrayed the gender bias in sports.

''Besides, the film makes a strong pitch for promoting hockey.

Also, it's strong patriotic feel makes it a strong candidate for tax exemption status,''the officials said.

UNI