The State Government has exempted Malayalam feature film ‘Ente’ from entertainment tax taking into account the film’s powerful social message against sexual exploitation of women and children.
The film, released in Kerala on January 4, has already evoked good response from movie buffs for its effective portrayal of the relationship between a father and his daughter.
Based on a true story and largely shot in the actual locales of the incident, the movie has been scripted and directed by Rajesh Touchriver.
“The government is pleased to exempt ‘Ente’, a feature film on sex trafficking produced by Prajwala, an anti-trafficking organisation in association with Sun Touch Production, from entertainment tax as per Section 7A of the Kerala Local Authorities Entertainment Tax Act 1961,” an official statement from the government said.
Sunita Krishnan, the founder and general secretary of Hyderabad-based Prawjala said that the movie was a must-watch film, especially against the backdrop of the recent crimes against women and the upsurge in public sentiment against the perpetuators of such heinous crimes.
The tax exemption by the government is a gesture to create awareness in society against such crimes and prompt people to watch the movie, she said. The movie aims to raise people’s sentiments against the atrocities against women and girls.
It has become more relevant socially after the December 16 beastly rape case in Delhi, which has caused outrage in the country, the award-winning social activist added.Sunita is the co-producer of the movie which has noted Malayalam actor Siddiq in the lead.
Bollywood actress Anjali Patil has made her debut in Malayalam as the victim of sexual trafficking in the movie.