Cinema Meets Secretariat: Kamal Haasan Hands CM Vijay A Six-Point Film Industry Manifesto

Jyoti Rathi May 17, 2026 560 Views

Kamal Haasan has formally met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and handed over a detailed memorandum listing six key demands for the Tamil film industry. The actor–politician, who heads Makkal Needhi Maiam and also sits in the Rajya Sabha, has framed the package as a rescue-and-revival plan for Tamil cinema in the age of OTT and piracy.

In a post after the meeting, Haasan said he had sought the “support and embrace” of the TVK government for an industry he says is under pressure from rising costs, tax burdens, piracy and shrinking theatrical windows.

State Ott, Tax Cuts And Anti-Piracy

At the heart of the memorandum is a call for a state-owned OTT platform dedicated to Tamil cinema, independent films and documentaries, offered to viewers at affordable, subsidised rates. Haasan argues that a public platform can both widen access and give smaller films a fairer shot at reaching audiences.

He has also asked the government to abolish the 4 per cent local body entertainment tax, calling it an extra burden at a time when production, distribution and theatre operating costs are all climbing. In parallel, he wants a dedicated anti-piracy enforcement wing within the Tamil Nadu Police’s cyber crime department, with powers for real-time takedowns of pirated content that erode revenues.

Shows, Windows And Film Incentives

Haasan’s note further presses for permission to run five shows a day in theatres across Tamil Nadu, arguing this will boost exhibitor revenues and aid post-pandemic recovery of the exhibition sector. To protect cinemas from premature digital cannibalisation, he has proposed a mandatory eight-week theatrical window before OTT release for all films in the state.

Rounding off the list, he has sought a film production incentive scheme offering up to 10 per cent of the budget as support for films that complete more than half their shoot in Tamil Nadu, pitching it as a way to restore the state’s status as a leading production hub while boosting jobs and film tourism.

Industry Demand Highlights

Launch of a state-run Tamil Nadu OTT platform for films, indie cinema and documentaries at subsidised rates
Abolition of the 4 per cent local body entertainment tax on cinema tickets
Creation of a dedicated anti-piracy enforcement team within TN Police’s cyber crime wing for real-time takedowns
Permission for theatres to screen five shows per day across Tamil Nadu
Mandatory eight-week theatrical OTT window for all films released in the state
Production incentive of up to 10 per cent for films shooting most of their schedule within Tamil Nadu