At the NDTV Yuva 2026 session titled "Fatima No Filter", Fatima Sana Shaikh was confronted with the city council’s latest proposal to raise entertainment tax in AC multiplexes. She didn’t mince words — "Who will watch films now? Waise bhi koi nahin dekh raha," she quipped, adding that the move was a slap in the face to cinema lovers.
She called the hike "classist," noting that single‑screen theatres are already being pushed to the margins while luxury multiplexes get a pass. The actress pointed out that the price of a simple popcorn would jump to ₹1,000, a figure that would feel like a punch to the wallet of every moviegoer.
In the same breath, Fatima channeled her energy into her role as ACP Jasleen Singh Soin in the thriller series "Hunkkaar." She revealed that she deliberately avoided the stereotypical cop image, instead immersing herself in the mind of an officer by meeting real constables and inspectors. Her goal was to show how duty can clash with personal morality.
The tax proposal, if approved, could ripple through the industry, forcing producers to rethink budgets and distributors to search for cheaper locations. Fatima warned that the higher costs would further alienate the very audience that keeps the silver screen alive.
Looking ahead, the actress hinted at upcoming projects while urging the industry to lobby for a fairer tax structure. The debate over Mumbai’s film tax is set to continue, and fans will be watching closely to see how it reshapes the city’s cinematic landscape.