Kiran Bedi wants 'Calapor' to be made tax-free

Asserting that India leads in prison reforms, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi Tuesday said she would request Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to make "Calapor" -- a forthcoming movie based on prison reforms -- tax-free.

"I would urge the Goa chief minister to make the film tax-free so the word spreads. Like 'Bhaag Milka Bhaag' has been made tax-free, and that's promotion of sports, and by making it tax-free it will also be spreading prison reforms and coming together of three PPP (denoting the government, public service officials and the people)," Bedi told reporters here during promotion of "Calapor".

Directed by Dinesh P. Bhonsle, the film starring Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta and actor Priyanshu Chatterjee, will give viewers a chance to zoom into what goes behind the bars.

Priyanshu will essay the role of a gangster who conspires to kill a sharp-shooter in the jail.

Produced by Prasad Creations, the movie also features Raghubir Yadav, Harsh Chhaya, Binny Sharma, P. Subbaraju, and Aziz Naseer. It will be released Aug 2.

The movie, touted as a story of reformation, is in a modern day setting of a prison and deals with various intricate details of conspiracies in jail.

"I do hope the Goa government makes it tax-free because if it's made tax-free, then it spreads around in Goa and people get to watch it because it's got a Goan prison. It's a very national film," said Bedi.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" has been made tax-free in Maharashtra, Delhi, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Bedi said though the country lagged behind in the concept of community policing and use of technology in crime prevention, it topped other countries when it comes to prison reforms.

"I can tell you, India is ahead in prison reforms. I am making a confirmed statement. I have been to 40 prisons around the world," said Bedi.