Cinema Ticket Cap
In a major relief for moviegoers, the Karnataka government has announced uniform ticket pricing across all cinema halls in the state, including multiplexes. The order, issued on Friday, fixes the maximum price for a movie ticket at ₹200, excluding taxes, regardless of the language of the film or the time of screening. However, the order exempts premium-format cinema halls with 75 seats or fewer, which may charge higher rates.
For years, multiplex owners in Karnataka have charged widely varying and often exorbitant ticket prices, especially during peak releases, discouraging many viewers from attending films in theatres. Public resentment grew last year when both audiences and film artists launched an online movement demanding affordable and uniform rates. Comparisons were drawn with neighboring states, where ticket prices are capped at ₹120 in Tamil Nadu and ₹150 in Andhra Pradesh.
In response, the government set up a 17-member committee headed by Karnataka Film Academy President Rajendra Singh Babu. The panel included renowned figures such as Girish Kasaravalli, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Rockline Venkatesh, Jayamala, and others. After detailed consultations, the committee recommended introducing a ceiling on ticket prices and mandating multiplexes to screen at least two Kannada films during prime-time slots. Accepting the report, the state government has now acted to make moviegoing more affordable and equitable. Officials said the move would encourage greater footfall in theatres, ensure fair access to films across all social groups, and strengthen the Kannada film industry.
