Garhwali film ‘Hello UK’ awaits tax-free status

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 3

The Garhwali feature film titled “Hello UK”, a rarity these days, is scheduled to be released on August 5 but the director of the film is not happy at the attitude of the state government towards the local artists and the film.

Director of the film Pradeep Bhandari, speaking to mediapersons in Mussoorie, today said the government had promised to grant tax-free status to the film but it backtracked on its promise due to unknown reasons.

He said when they met Chief Minister Harish Rawat, he had promised to grant tax-free status to the film.

Bhandari said the film was a satire on the present political situation in the state where the politics had declined to its lowest ebb.

The film also touched several other issues — migration, unemployment etc and would help in spreading social awareness towards the taboos in the state.

Bhandari said the government announced that it had introduced a film policy for the state but was not visible.

He lamented the fact that for the shoot of a scene at George Everest House Entertainment, the department demanded Rs 15,000 which is difficult for a local film maker to pay.

In the wake of such environment, he has sought support from regional film lovers and appealed to them to come out in large numbers to watch the film on the first day.