Almost 1,000 single-screen cinemas in the Indian state of Maharashtra will close from Oct 17 in protest against high entertainment taxes.

Entertainment tax levels are set at 55% for Mumbai, 50% for major towns and cities and 45% for rural areas.

The exhibitors want this to be brought down to 30% which would match the rates in New Delhi. They also want permission to demolish non performing cinemas to develop their sites for real estate purposes.

The cinema strike in Maharastra is being called for the second time this year.

The cinema exhibition sector in India has been protesting against the high entertainment tax across India for some time and has successfully brought down the taxes in some states.