'Government not supporting entertainment industry'

The government is not supporting the entertainment industry enough despite its high tax contribution, says producer Babubhai Thiba, who is also the treasurer of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association.

On the issues faced by the entertainment industry, Thiba said: "When the government has created a censor board, it is our bad luck that political parties get involved and rob the audience of their right to watch a good film.

"Not just that, they also rob the makers of the right to release a good film. I think the industry imparts enough tax to the government that it's their responsibility to make this industry secure and ensure that the rights of producers and filmmakers are protected."

Thiba has been a former business manager of celebrities like Govinda, Jackie Shroff, Rati Agnihotri, Neelam, Juhi Chawla and late Vinod Khanna. He has also produced Hindi films "Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare" and "Dil Lagake Dekho", as well as some TV shows.

Asked about the changes that the industry has gone through over the years, Thiba said: "Over the years, Bollywood has changed a lot. There have been some good changes and some bad too.

"Out of experience, I can say that initially, directors and producers were called filmmakers because they were passionate about their films and content. Now more cast-oriented films are made."

Thiba, who has also organised events and has been a casting director too, said an actor's payment has increased the film's budgets over the years.

"Actors are now charging unreasonably high. That increases the budget and leaves next to nothing for the producers."

--IANS

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