Film bodies to hold a token strike on Jan. 21

KOCHI

The film bodies in the Malayalam film industry will jointly organise a token strike on January 21 in protest against the alleged apathy of the government towards their various demands, including an end to double taxation on movie tickets.

The shooting of movies will remain suspended as part of the protest. Theatres will also remain shut as a mark of support to the token strike. Anil Thomas, president of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday alleged that the government had failed to address their concerns despite several pleas made earlier to resolve the issues faced by the industry.

He said the double taxation on movie tickets, which included Goods and Services Tax and entertainment tax levied by local bodies, had impacted the prospects of the industry badly. “We will strengthen the agitation, if the government failed to consider our demands favourably,” he said. The representatives of various film bodies would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister highlighting their issues and remedial plan.

The KFCC had decided in December 2025 that it would not distribute movies in theatres under the Kerala State Film Development Corporation from January 2026 onwards in protest against the alleged failure of the government to consider its long-standing demands.

The apex body of film bodies in the Malayalam film industry had earlier deferred its strike announced from June 1, 2025 following an assurance by the government that it would consider the demands.