Pakistan, Feb. 12 -- Bollywood star and Samajwadi Party member Jaya Bachchan has accused the Indian government of attempting to cripple the film industry, urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to show "mercy" towards it, according to Indian media reports.

As per The Indian Express, Bachchan called on the Modi government to introduce measures to support the struggling industry. Speaking during the General Discussion on the Union Budget 2025-26 in the Rajya Sabha, she highlighted the dire situation of daily wage workers who are struggling to make ends meet.

She further pointed out that single-screen theatres are shutting down as soaring costs have deterred audiences from visiting cinemas. "You have completely neglected this industry,...