Karnataka plans Rs200 cap on cinema tickets

NT Correspondent Bengaluru The Karnataka government has issued a draft notification proposing a uniform ticket price across all cinema halls, including multiplexes, with a maximum cap of ?200 per ticket. This move follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s budget announcement earlier this year to regulate ticket prices in the state’s cinema industry. The draft notification seeks to amend the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964 (Karnataka Act 23 of 1964). According to the notification, citizens, cinema owners and stakeholders have 15 days from the date of publication in the official gazette to submit objections or suggestions regarding the proposed rule. The government has clarified that all objections and feedback will be duly considered before finalising the amendment. Objections or suggestions can be addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary of the state government. The decision is expected to bring relief to moviegoers facing skyrocketing ticket rates, especially at multiplexes in urban centres like Bengaluru. It also seeks to ensure affordable access to cinema for people across income groups, which the government argues is in line with public interest. Once finalised, the uniform pricing will apply to all theatres and multiplexes in Karnataka.