15-07-2025
Karnataka To Cap Cinema Ticket Prices At Rs 200, Govt Releases Draft Notification
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The decision comes as a fulfillment of a long-standing demand from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce
The Siddaramaiah government has released a draft notification for the Karnataka Cinema Regulation (Amendment) 2025, which includes a significant new rule to cap movie ticket prices across the state. This long-awaited move mandates that all theatres, including multiplexes, set a maximum ticket price of Rs 200 for films of all languages released in Karnataka.
The decision comes as a fulfillment of a long-standing demand from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The government has now issued the draft notification, providing a 15-day window for the public to submit objections and suggestions.
This was also an announcement made by chief minister Siddaramaiah in this year's budget.
The move aims to make cinema more accessible to the public and is part of a broader strategy to support the local Kannada film industry. The proposed cap would apply to all films, regardless of language, and would be inclusive of entertainment tax.
Advocates for the cap argue that exorbitant pricing has deterred many potential moviegoers, particularly for smaller and mid-budget films, thereby hurting the overall health of the industry. By standardising the ticket price, the government hopes to increase footfall in theatres and ensure that cinema remains an affordable form of entertainment.
However, the proposal is not without its critics. Multiplex owners and certain sections of the film industry have previously voiced concerns, arguing that a fixed price cap could severely impact their revenue models, especially for big-budget, high-demand releases where they rely on flexible pricing to maximise profits. A similar attempt to cap ticket prices at Rs 200 during Siddaramaiah's previous tenure in 2017 faced legal challenges and was eventually withdrawn.
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