Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi exempted tax on Aamir Khan-starrer PK a day after his predecessor Nitish Kumar demanded the same after watching the social satire.
Bihar is the second state after Uttar Pradesh to make PK tax-free in spite of protests from some quarters.
After releasing the state government calendar and diary at his official residence 1 Aney Marg, Manjhi said: 'We have decided to make PK tax-free in the state as our leader Nitish ji has made the demand after watching it. We cannot ignore his demand. After all, we are following his path only. We are making the film tax-free so that even the underprivileged can watch and understand that how people are being fooled in name of religion.'
Nitish on Wednesday watched the film at Cinepolis with several ministers, including Shyam Rajak and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. After watching it, he added that the film was not an attack on religion but on parochialism. Two days ago, RJD MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav had come in the defence of PK, saying those attacking theatres want to divide the country in the name of religion.
On PK, Manjhi said: 'The government will make special arrangements to screen this film in villages as well so that that even the poor people can watch it.'
Till now, the film has collected nearly Rs 2.8 crore in the city breaking all records.
About watching the film, Manjhi said: 'No, I have not watched the film yet but I will surely watch it, as Nitish ji has praised a lot.'
Interestingly, BJP stalwart L.K. Advani had appreciated the film after watching it. In Bihar also, it has found a supporter from the BJP. Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said: 'I watched PK on the second day of its release. Why protest after so many days? Aamir Khan is the only actor who is fighting against social evils. One can protest peacefully but vandalism should not be encouraged.'
Even theatres owners welcome the decision of the state government.
Regent Theatre Pvt. Ltd chairman-cum-managing director Suman Kumar Sinha said: 'I am happy to hear that the government is appreciating good film.'?
