In the absence of any sop for the entertainment industry in this year's Budget, two yesteryear stars belonging to different parties today demanded some "boost" from the government to enable it compete globally.
While Jaya Bachchan (SP) was critical of the apathy shown by successive governments towards the entertainment industry in Rajya Sabha, Vinod Khanna (BJP) drew a comparison with the Chinese film industry in Lok Sabha.
"I wonder why the entertainment industry has been ignored by all governments. I underline on the word all. It has been ignored by all," Bachchan said in the Upper House.
The "Abhimaan" star complained that the entertainment tax imposed in India was among the highest in the world and on top of it all, it has been grappling with several other problems.
Khanna rued that no importance was given to entertainment sector in the Budget and said that both film and TV industries need a lot of support from the central government.
Drawing a comparison, he said while Chiense film industry was capable of competing globally, Indian film industry, which connects millions of its diaspora with the mainland, also needs similar government support.
"Indian film industry does need a boost," the 'Sachaa Jhutha' star said.
