Karnataka Ticket Prices Capped at ₹200: High Court Reserves Ruling on Petition by Hombale Films, Theatre Owners
The Multiplex Association of India along with leading production houses Hombale Films, Keystone Entertainment and VK Films have filed a petition questioning the legality of the government's move.
The Karnataka High Court has reserved its judgement on multiplex chains and production banners demanding a stay on the new ruling capping movie tickets at ₹200. The Karnataka Government recently issued a notification limiting the upper price of tickets (excluding GST) at all cinemas across the State. The move, first announced in March in the State financial budget, is aimed at making cinema-going accessible and also increasing footfalls in theatres. It, however, does not apply to multi-screen cinemas with premium venues of 75 seats or less.
The Multiplex Association of India along with leading production houses Hombale Films, Keystone Entertainment and VK Films have filed a petition questioning the legality of the government's move. A 2017 attempt in this direction was halted after the Multiplex Association of India successfully challenged the decision in court.
At present, ticket prices in the state of Karnataka range from ₹100-₹400, with some multiplex chains charging upwards ₹1000 for their luxe venues.
According to a report in The Hindu, petitioners have argued that the State government has no power under the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1964 to restrict or prescribe price for tickets for cinema exhibition. The Act, the report said, is mainly for controlling the licensing of cinema theatres and "not for controlling the prices of the tickets."
On the other hand, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, the primary government regulatory body in the Kannada film industry, has reportedly contested the petitions. The KFCC believes the move was "essential", and the government had "acted on the representation given by the KFCC in this regard". The State government, too, has stood by its decision, stating it was taken with the larger public interest in mind.
Earlier, stars such as Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty had noted that major OTT platforms were not showing an interest in purchasing the streaming rights of regional movies, especially from the Kannada industry.