Film distributors, exhibitors to seek stay on sealing of Naaz building

Last Saturday (March 31), Naaz building,which houses the offices of many film distributors and exhibitors, was sealed by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), for non-payment of taxes. They are naturally shocked by the development as they have been reportedly paying their rents and taxes regularly. The distributors’ and exhibitors’ contention is that they are being made to suffer because the landlords, RP Anand and Rajeev Anand, owners of the property named Mazda Theaters Pvt Ltd, which houses Naaz, had not paid the taxes to the authorities.

Apparently, the owners owed the BMC Rs 2 crore as outstanding taxes and an equal amount for commercial use of the premises.

Distributor Ramesh Sippy is leading the fraternity’s fight in the court. He said, “Most of the tenants pay their rents along with the property taxes to the landlords on time. If the owners are not paying to the BMC, that is the issue they have to resolve. As far as we are concerned, being tenants, we’re being deprived of our use of our offices despite paying the rents and taxes. So we’re going to move court and apply for a stay.”

Hopeful of getting a stay, Sippy added, “To avoid such a situation henceforth, we can only offer BMC the payment of our taxes in future. We can’t offer the payments of the past due to duplication. We’re hopeful it will get sorted.”