Chandigarh, June 13, 2026: The Chief Minister's Office of Haryana announced on Saturday that Chief Minister Nayab Saini screened the film 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' — based on a terrorist attack — and declared it tax-free in the state. The screening was attended by senior members of the ruling establishment and prominent public figures, underscoring the government's intent to promote the film widely.

What Happened

The CMO's post stated that CM Nayab Saini 'aaj film ka avlokan kiya' (today watched the film) and simultaneously announced that 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' would be made tax-free in Haryana. Present at the screening were Suman Saini, the Chief Minister's wife, along with several Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Kangana Ranaut — Bollywood actress and BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

Context

The film 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' is described as being based on a terrorist attack incident. Granting a tax-free status means the state government waives the entertainment tax component on cinema tickets, effectively reducing ticket prices and incentivising wider public viewership. The announcement was made on the occasion of the screening itself, signalling a swift policy decision tied directly to the event.

Kangana Ranaut, who has been a vocal public figure on national security matters since entering electoral politics, was among the attendees, lending the event additional visibility. Her presence alongside Cabinet ministers and lawmakers reflects the cross-section of political and cultural figures the government chose to associate with the film's promotion.

Policy Backdrop

Indian state governments have a well-established practice of granting entertainment tax exemptions to films that depict security forces, national events, or patriotic themes. BJP-governed states in particular have used this instrument to align cultural programming with narratives on internal security and national pride. Such exemptions are typically announced after high-profile screenings attended by ruling party leaders and, increasingly, film personalities who have entered politics.

Haryana, a northern state bordering Delhi, has a BJP-led government under CM Nayab Saini, who assumed office in March 2024. The state's cultural and industrial policy has frequently intersected with the central government's broader messaging on security and sovereignty.

Stakeholders and Impact

The immediate beneficiaries of the tax-free declaration are film distributors and cinema exhibitors operating in Haryana, who can expect a boost in footfall as lower effective ticket prices make the film more accessible. Audiences across the state stand to watch the film at reduced cost. The move also signals to the broader film industry that productions aligned with security and patriotic themes may find institutional support from state governments.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the commercial performance of 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' in Haryana following the tax exemption, and whether other BJP-ruled states follow suit with similar announcements. The pattern of coordinated state-level support for such films often unfolds in quick succession across multiple states, amplifying both the cultural and political impact of the original declaration.