New Delhi

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Thursday raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over taxation and rising ticket prices in the entertainment industry, briefly interjecting during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s reply to the discussion on the Union Budget 2026–27.

Addressing the Chair, Bachchan described the Finance Minister as “a great storyteller” and said her responses had been “great entertainment,” before turning to issues affecting the film industry.

“I am speaking about the entertainment industry and ticket prices. We are among the highest tax-paying industries,” Bachchan said, questioning whether the Budget had offered any specific relief for the sector.

Responding to her remarks, Sitharaman said matters relating to entertainment tax and cinema ticket pricing fall under the jurisdiction of state governments.

“On the specific question she raised — that the industry is suffering because ticket prices are high — I must submit that entertainment tax and ticketing are state subjects. There is no point in asking me,” the Finance Minister said.

Refuting the suggestion that the Budget had overlooked the sector, Sitharaman said the government had given “sustained attention” to the creative and entertainment economy.

She highlighted measures aimed at strengthening the animation, visual effects (VFX) and content creation ecosystem, describing it as a growing economic segment.

“The Budget recognises the animation, visual effects and content creation economy as a growth engine. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies will support skilling initiatives and help establish content creator labs in 1,500 schools. The aim is to create two million professionals by 2030,” she said.

The Finance Minister also announced plans to expand branches of the National Institute of Design to address skill gaps in areas such as production design, costumes, sets and visual aesthetics.

She further referred to the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 held in Mumbai, which saw participation from over 90 countries, thousands of creators and hundreds of companies.

“Are these not efforts towards supporting the entertainment industry?” Sitharaman asked.

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The exchange took place during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.