Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced that the film Krishnavatram will be made tax-free in the state following a special screening held at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium.
The screening took place shortly after the state cabinet expansion ceremony and was attended by Anandiben Patel, both Deputy Chief Ministers, cabinet ministers, legislators, and several public representatives. The atmosphere inside the packed auditorium turned devotional as chants of “Krishna Krishna” and “Radhe Radhe” echoed throughout the venue during the screening.
After watching the film along with the newly inducted ministers and members of the cabinet, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the movie for showcasing India’s cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions. He announced that the film would be exempted from entertainment tax in Uttar Pradesh and directed the Information Department to facilitate special screenings across all districts so that children and youth could connect with Indian culture and traditions.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the film beautifully presents the life of Lord Krishna from a human perspective while portraying various dimensions of Dwapar Yuga, ancient Indian civilisation, and Sanatan culture. He noted that the film also sensitively depicts the different shades of Krishna’s relationships with Radha, Rukmini, and Satyabhama.
“This is a memorable moment, especially after the cabinet expansion, as all the newly sworn-in ministers joined together to watch a film rooted in India’s traditions and values,” he said. “Such films help the younger generation understand our cultural heritage and civilisational legacy.”
The Chief Minister also honoured the cast and crew of the film on stage. He specially mentioned actress Sanskriti, who portrays the role of Satyabhama in the film, appreciating her impactful performance. During the event, the actress sought blessings from the Chief Minister.
Yogi Adityanath further highlighted that Sanskriti is the granddaughter of Governor Anandiben Patel, describing it as a proud and emotional moment for any grandmother to witness the success of a child she nurtured. He emphasised that artists contributing to Indian culture and traditions deserve recognition and encouragement.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel thanked the Chief Minister and said more films based on Indian traditions and culture should be encouraged. She also extended her best wishes to the newly inducted ministers.
The event was attended by several prominent leaders, including Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak, Pankaj Chaudhary, and Kunwar Manvendra Singh.
Directed by Hardik Gajjar, Krishnavatram has been released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages. The film stars Siddharth Gupta, Sanskriti, Sushmita Bhatt, and Nivasini Krishnan in lead roles, while veteran actors Jackie Shroff and Ashutosh Rana also play significant roles in the film.
