Karnataka theatres shut for a day, demand withdrawal of service tax

The entire activity in the Kannada film industry came to a grinding halt for a day as cinema houses observed a bandh protesting against the Centre's decision to levy service tax.

More than 800 exhibitors downed shutters across the state in response to the bandh called by the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce, according to industry sources.

A delegation of the Film Chamber called on Governor HR Bhardwaj and presented him with a memorandum seeking withdrawal of the service tax on film industry.