Oct 23, 2026 5:00pm IST
‘Ramayana,’ ‘Mary Kom,’ ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’: Indian Films That Were Declared Tax-Free Before Their Release
Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi-starrer “Ramayana,” which is set to hit screens on November 5 during the Diwali weekend, was recently declared tax-free in West Bengal. However, this isn’t the first time an Indian film has received this status before its theatrical release. In the past, several movies, particularly biopics, historical dramas and films dealing with social issues, received state-level tax exemptions before their theatrical release.
Mary Kom: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Assam
The Priyanka Chopra-starrer biographical sports drama on the life of boxer Mary Kom was declared tax-free in Maharashtra on August 29, 2014, a week before its release (September 5). It also received tax exemption in Uttar Pradesh and Assam before it hit the screens.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story: Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh
Based on the life of the former Indian cricket team skipper and starring the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the film received tax-free status in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh ahead of its September 30 release. Maharashtra granted it tax-free status after the film’s release. The film chronicles Dhoni’s life from a young age through a series of events, including the 2011 World Cup victory.
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Sachin: A Billion Dreams: Kerala and Chhattisgarh
Before its May 26 arrival, the Sachin Tendulkar documentary, which offered a detailed look at the ace cricketer’s personal and professional life, was approved for tax-free status in Kerala and Chhattisgarh.
Chhapaak: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
A day before its release, the Deepika Padukone-starrer was declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Meghna Gulzar-directed film is based on the life of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.
Samrat Prithviraj: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand
While UP, MP and Uttarakhand declared the film tax-free ahead of its June 3 release, Gujarat announced it after the release. The film had Akshay Kumar playing the legendary king.
Saand Ki Aankh: Rajasthan
Starring Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar, the biographical drama received an exemption from the state’s share of GST in Rajasthan ahead of its theatrical release. The film is based on the lives of sharpshooters Chandro Tomar and Prakashi Tomar.
Rudhramadevi: Telangana
The Telugu historical drama, starring Anushka Shetty, received an entertainment-tax exemption from the Telangana government ahead of its scheduled release. The film chronicles the life of Rudramma Devi, ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty.
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