Yogi Govt Hailed By Ajay Devgan For Making Tanhaji Tax Free; Uddhav Yet To Follow Suit Despite Demands

Recently released Bollywood movie ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ starring Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, and Kajol has been made tax free in Uttar Pradesh (UP) by the Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath-led government.

Responding to the development, actor Ajay Devgan took to Twitter on Tuesday (14 January) and thanked the UP CM. “Thank you Shri Yogi Adityanathji for making #TanhajiTheUnsungWarrior Tax-Free in Uttar Pradesh. I would also be delighted Sir if you watched our film. @myogiadityanath #TanhajiUnitesIndia,” he wrote.

The film directed by Om Raut has been getting good audience response as it is set to cross Rs 100 crore mark at the box office. As of Monday the periodic drama had collected Rs 75.68 crore.

The movie is based on the legendary Hindu warrior Tanhai Malusare and his valiant military leadership during the Battle of Sinhagad.

However, it is to the surprise of many that ‘Tanhaji’ that highlights the bravery of Maratha warriors against the Mughal armies has not been made tax free in Maharashtra by the government led by the Shiv Sena, which takes pride in claiming itself the true protector of Maratha and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.

State’s Revenue Minister from the Congress quota, Balasaheb Thorat, in fact, demanded the Mughal-era film to be exempted from tax along with Deepika Padukone-starrer ‘Chhapaak’ which is based on the life struggle of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. He said that he would take up the matter to CM Uddhav Thackeray.

“Earlier, the Revenue ministry used to take a decision on making a movie tax-free, but now the tax has been subsumed in the GST. Still, I will personally take up the issue with CM Uddhav Thackeray,” he told reporters.