This is a setback of massive proportions. The US market has always been a backbone for Telugu films, especially big-budget releases. A 100 per cent tariff means ticket prices will skyrocket — T Prasanna Kumar, Secretary, Telugu Film Producers Council

US President Donald Trump has once again sparked global controversy with a new policy that could severely impact Indian cinema. After previously increasing tariffs on several imports from India and hiking visa fees for H1B applicants, Trump has now announced a 100 tariff on all films made outside the United States.

The announcement was made on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, where he claimed, “Our movie-making business has been stolen from the United States of America by other countries, just like stealing a candy from a baby.”

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