Karnataka caps cinema ticket prices at Rs 200 to boost regional film viewership

In a move aimed at promoting regional cinema and ensuring affordable access to theatres, the Karnataka government has reintroduced a Rs 200 cap on movie ticket prices for all films, regardless of language, across single screens and multiplexes in the state.

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This decision comes after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the policy in his latest budget, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening the Kannada film industry. The cap has now been legally enforced through an amendment to the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014, and applies to ticket prices inclusive of entertainment tax.

The updated regulation was officially notified on July 15, with the order issued by the Home Department’s cinema division. The move is a direct response to increasing public complaints about rising multiplex ticket rates, particularly for regional language films, which many argue limits accessibility to cinema.

This is not the first time Karnataka has tried to implement such a policy. A similar cap introduced in 2017 during Siddaramaiah's earlier tenure faced stiff resistance from multiplex owners, who challenged it in court, citing revenue and cost concerns. The cap was eventually withdrawn. This time, however, industry bodies like the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and the Film Exhibitors Association have extended their support, suggesting that the cap could help attract more viewers, especially to Kannada films.

Despite the support, multiplex chains remain cautious. They have long voiced concerns that uniform pricing might threaten their viability by impacting revenue streams and affecting service quality. They argue that operational costs vary widely and ticket pricing should reflect that flexibility.