Tax waiver for films focusing on atrocities on women

Thiruvananthapuram: Two Malayalam films that focus on the atrocities on women have been exempted from entertainment tax by the Kerala Government as part of the campaign to create public awareness about crimes against women

and children.

The recently released "Lisammayute Veedu", directed by Babu Janardhanan, and "Ente" by Rajesh Touch River, are the films that received the tax waiver, according to Local Administration Minister D M K Muneer.

"Lisamma" tells the story of a woman who was a teenage victim of serial sexual assault. The movie narrates the stigma attached to the victim and her kin even several years after the harrowing incident.

Rajesh, in his "Ente", covers a host of social issues especially the insecurity and threat faced by girls in a family and society in the backdrop of the story of a father and daughter.

Official sources said the movies were exempted from tax as they delivered a strong message against sexual exploitation.

"Ente" was produced by Suntech Production along with Hyderabad-based social outfit Projwala, working for the rehabilitation of sexually exploited children and rape victims.

Sunitha Krishnan, activist and founder of Projwala, said the movie would help sensitise the society against sexual crimes and create awareness about the steps to be taken to stop such evils.

Last year, Mohanlal-starrer "Spirit", which deals with the dangers of alcoholism, was given the tax waiver by the state government.