Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh & Puducherry Make ‘Chhapaak’ Tax-Free

Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak is tax-free in these states.

After Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry, it was Rajasthan’s turn to declare Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak tax-free on Thursday. The film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, which releases on Friday is inspired by the real life story of an acid-attack survivor.

We are happy to declare Chhapaak a tax-free film. People have welcomed the decision of exempting this film from the tax bracket. The film shall be an eye opener. 

Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan

Both the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradhesh and Chhattisgarh, Kamal Nath and Bhupesh Baghel, made the announcement on Twitter and praised Chhapaak for the subject it tackles.

दीपिका पादुकोण अभिनीत ऐसिड अटैक सर्वाइवर पर बनी फ़िल्म “
छपाक “ जो 10 जनवरी को देश भर के सिनेमाघरों में रिलीज़ हो रही है , को मध्यप्रदेश में टैक्स फ़्री करने की घोषणा करता हूँ।
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— Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) January 9, 2020

यह फ़िल्म समाज में ऐसिड पीड़ित महिलाओं को लेकर एक सकारात्मक संदेश देने के साथ-साथ उस पीड़ा के साथ आत्मविश्वास , संघर्ष , उम्मीद , और जीने के जज़्बे की कहानी पर आधारित है और ऐसे मामलों में समाज की सोच में बदलाव लाने के संदेश पर आधारित है।
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— Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) January 9, 2020

समाज में महिलाओं के ऊपर तेजाब से हमले करने जैसे जघन्य अपराध को दर्शाती एवं हमारे समाज को जागरूक करती हिंदी फिल्म "छपाक" को सरकार ने छत्तीसगढ़ प्रदेश में टैक्स फ्री करने का निर्णय लिया है।

आप सब भी सपरिवार जाएं, स्वयं जागरूक बनें और समाज को जागरूक करें।

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) January 9, 2020

After Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the CM of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy also announced giving Chhapaak a tax-free status.

Govt of #Puducherry will give tax relief to #Chaapaak film acted by @deepikapadukone which gives clear picture of woman issues.

— CMOPuducherry (@CMPuducherry) January 9, 2020

However, with Deepika Padukone having gone to JNU and shown her solidarity with the students who were assaulted in the campus on Sunday, the release of the film has now become politicised and the BJP has criticised the move to make Chhapaak tax-free.

According to a report in IANS, a BJP spokesperson said, "Kamal Nath ji is never tired of blaming Modi for not releasing money or Shivraj ji for his legacy of an empty treasury as an excuse for his inability to waive farmers' debt in the state or checking of unemployment! However, the moment Deepika Padukone joined the traitors against Modi he decided to exempt all her films. Kamal Nath ji should let the people of Madhya Pradesh know whether bread for the farmer is more important or butter chicken and vodka for Deepika's home?"

With several BJP leaders having also called for a boycott of the film, all eyes are now on the box-office numbers of the Deepika Padukone film, which is receiving a good pre-release buzz from previews and press screenings.

(with inputs from IANS)