New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS): "31st October", a Bollywood movie on the 1984 Sikh riots, has been declared tax free in Punjab.

The Punjab government has decided to exempt the movie from entertainment tax, read a statement issued on behalf of the makers of "31st October".

Punjab government officials felt the film tells an important story and they called upon its writer-producer Harry Sachdeva to inform him about the tax exemption in the state.

Happy with the decision, Sachdeva said: "I am grateful for the Punjab government to see the merit and the message of the film and exempt from paying entertainment tax. My goal is to make this film reach as wide as possible and now people in Punjab can go see the film at a concessional rate."

"This is a film that promotes brotherhood as well as educating our young generation about the truth of the 1984 Sikh Genocide, it was important for it to get support from government in addition to the community," Sachdeva added.

The film, which released on October 21, features actors like Vir Das, Soha Ali Khan, Lakhwinder Lakha and Nagesh Bhonsle.