Court rules against Siddharth

Actor Siddharth had filed a public interest litigation seeking exemption from service tax for film actors and wanted them to be treated on par with theatre artists who enjoy this benefit.

But the Madras High Court has ruled against his plea, refusing to grant exemption. The bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan and Justice M Sundaresh said in their ruling, “The mere fact that there is an element of drama or acting both in case of theatre and films does not mean that the two activities are identical.”

The bench also pointed out that there is a difference in earnings of film stars and that of theatre and folk artists and that they cannot be treated on par. The court also said that the PIL was misconceived and without merit.