Akshay Kumar starrer 'Mission Mangal' has been declared tax free in Maharashtra by the state government.

The decision to exempt the film, which depicts ISRO's successful Mangalyaan mission, from the state Goods and Services Tax (GST) was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in Mumbai on Wednesday.

According to an official statement the move was taken as the film conveys a positive message about science and it is an attempt to take the message further to common people.

Akshay Kumar during the film's promotion said that the film was made mainly for children, so that they feel encouraged to become scientists, adding Scientist as a profession is not very likeable, but now after ISRO's launch of the Chandrayaan, people are gradually becoming more aware of it and taking interest in it. I hope this film helps to spread the fact that what a great profession it is.

Apart from Akshay Kumar, the Jagan Shakti directional stars Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen and HG Dattatreya. The film has already collected more than Rs 165 crore at the box office.