The release of Vikram Vedha, starring Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi, has been postponed in the UAE following the shutdown of cinema halls in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil film industry is facing a major crisis since the shutdown of 1,000 cinema halls in the Indian state as a mark of protest against the double taxation on cinema tickets following the implementation of GST (Goods & Services Tax) from July 1.
Besides the 18-28 per cent GST, there is an additional state tax of 30 per cent to be paid in Tamil Nadu. However, neighbouring southern states namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala have abolished the local taxes once the GST came into force.
Talks are on between the representatives of the Tamil film industry and Chief Minister E. Palanisamy. This has consequently affected releases of films this week, including Vikram Vedha.
Helmed by director-duo Pushkar and Gayatri, this gangster thriller has Madhavan playing an encounter specialist, Vikram. Vijay Sethupathi is Vedhalam, a gangster.
The trailer shows a gun-totting Madhavan with policemen in tow heading out to get Vedha and his henchmen.
The trailer ends with the question: “If the choice is between the good and bad, it’s easy to pick. But in this story both are bad guys, what would you do?’
The supporting cast includes Shradha Srinath, Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar, Malayalam veteran actor Harish Peradi and Kathir. The film is produced by Y Not Studios.
