Keeping in line with an announcement made in the state budget earlier this year by CM Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka government issued an order Tuesday for capping the prices of cinema tickets for regional language films at Rs 200.
The capping of prices has been implemented through an amendment to the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014, where Rule 55 has been amended to include a new sub-rule. The sub-rule number six states that the cost of the ticket of each show in all theatres of the state, including multiplexes, for all language films should not exceed Rs 200, inclusive of entertainment tax.
The order dated July 15 has been signed on behalf of the Governor by the state under secretary to the government for the prisons and cinema section in the Home Department.
Earlier this year, CM Siddaramaiah, in his budget speech on March 7, announced a plan to cap movie ticket prices at Rs 200, including in multiplexes, for regional language films.
The proposal was backed by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association as an effort to draw more audiences to theatres for Kannada films, despite resistance from multiplexes.
The capping policy was announced to standardise ticket pricing broadly and also address the rise in complaints against multiplex giants for charging exorbitant ticket prices.
In 2017, Siddaramaiah announced a cap on movie ticket prices at Rs 200 across all theatres, including multiplexes, during his first tenure as chief minister. However, enforcing this cap faced challenges. Multiplex owners expressed concerns over potential revenue losses and approached the Karnataka High Court to contest the decision.
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The cap was subsequently lifted, and theatres continued to set their own pricing structures.