Bribes were demanded to exempt films from Entertainment Tax: Mansoor Ali Khan

Even as the Tamil film industry continues to plead with the state government to do away with the 30 per cent Entertainment tax that it has levied on films over and above the GST, actor Mansoor Ali Khan has made some sensational allegations.

He has alleged that bribes were being demanded from directors by those in power to grant exemption for films from Entertainment tax.

Speaking at the audio launch function of Uruthi Kozhl, a film that has been directed by Ayyannar and which features Kishore of Goli Soda fame as the hero, Mansoor Ali Khan said, “What Dr Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) did was a wonderful thing. He said, ‘If Tamil films have Tamil titles, I will waive off the 30 per cent Entertainment tax that they (filmmakers) will have to pay.’ Hundreds of directors benefitted from this move. I was also one among them. However,  (now) bribes are being demanded (to exempt films from Entertainment tax).”

Stating that he had taken a pledge to speak only the truth, Mansoor Ali Khan said, “Last week, for seven films, over 40 lakhs was paid. The team of Adhagapattathu Mahajanangaley had to pay four-and-a-half lakhs. Fifteen lakhs was paid for Vanamagan. What kind of country are we living in?,” he thundered.

Mansoor Ali Khan did not stop there. He went on to claim that a sum of Rs 1 crore was demanded even for Mani Ratnam’s Kaatru Veliyidai and finally a sum of Rs 60 lakhs was paid to get the certificate. “Aren’t you ashamed? What sort of a democracy is this?,” he asked those demanding bribes, even as he made sensational statements on other issues affecting the state and country.