Bollywood hopes for reforms for daily wagers, reduction in taxes ahead of Maharashtra polls

Maharashtra film industry hopes for government reforms as state assembly elections approach, emphasizing voting importance and industry struggles.

As Maharashtra gears up for the state assembly elections on November 20, the Hindi film industry in Mumbai hopes the new government will bring critical reforms for daily wage workers and policies to reduce financial burdens on the sector.

In five days, the state will witness an electoral battle between the ruling Mahayuti, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).

Actor Suresh Oberoi emphasised the importance of voting, referring to it as a “national festival”.

“Voting is a national festival, and it is your duty to exercise your voting rights and strengthen the foundation of democracy,” the veteran actor told PTI.

Talking to PTI, actor Gulshan Devaiah said, “Elections are a hallmark of a good democracy, and it is the people’s right. No matter what problems we may have with each other, electorally and ideologically, we can hold free and fair elections, so that’s quite amazing." Film producer Boney Kapoor echoed similar sentiments.

“It is the right of every citizen of this country to vote and elect a leader and make the government machinery as democratic as possible,” he said.

Governance focused on development and welfare is paramount, filmmaker Subhash Ghai said.