Indian film industry reacts to Trump’s 100% foreign film tax

Recently U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-made movies. This means any movie produced outside the U.S. will face heavy taxes before being released in American theaters. Trump shared this on his social media platform, saying that Hollywood is “dying a fast death” and needs to be protected from foreign competition. He also blamed other countries for offering attractive deals that encourage American filmmakers to shoot films outside the U.S.

This sudden move has created shockwaves across the global film industry, especially in India. Many Bollywood movies earn big money from overseas markets, especially in the U.S., where the Indian diaspora forms a major part of the audience. With this new tariff, Indian films may lose a large chunk of their income from the U.S.

Experts in the Indian film industry have mixed opinions on the issue. Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi believes that India should focus on strengthening its own industry instead of worrying about American policies. He suggests better infrastructure, subsidies, and support for local filmmakers. He gave an example of Russia, where local filmmakers grew stronger after Hollywood studios pulled out due to the war. Now, the Russian box office is thriving without Hollywood’s help.

Atul Mohan, a trade analyst, raised concerns about how the new tariff might affect ticket prices in the U.S. He explained that depending on the star power, Indian films can make anywhere from ₹10 crore to ₹100 crore in the American market. However, he believes real movie lovers will continue to pay high prices if the content is worth it.

Meanwhile, Shibasish Sarkar, President of the Producers Guild of India, advised a “wait and watch” approach. He feels it may not be helpful for the Indian government to retaliate with similar tariffs. He added that Trump’s decision is mainly aimed at stopping the outflow of U.S. dollars.

On the other hand, some filmmakers are worried. Director Vivek Agnihotri called Trump’s move a “disaster” and warned that it could badly affect India’s already struggling film industry. He urged Indian film leaders to unite and act against this threat.

International filmmaker Shekhar Kapur also shared his thoughts. He pointed out that 75% of Hollywood’s earnings come from international markets. He added that big parts of Hollywood film budgets are spent outside the U.S., including shooting and post-production. Kapur believes this tariff could backfire and push Hollywood studios to move production out of the U.S. to avoid the tax.

Donald Trump’s new policy has raised many concerns worldwide. While it aims to protect American cinema, it may end up hurting international filmmakers, including those from India. The future of foreign films in the U.S. market is now uncertain. The Indian film industry must adapt, plan smartly, and find new ways to grow without relying too heavily on overseas markets.

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