New Delhi: Hombale Films, producers of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara franchise, have approached the Karnataka High Court, challenging the state government’s decision to cap movie ticket prices. Along with the production house, Keystone Entertainment, VK Films, and Multiplex Association of India have filed four PILs in the Karnataka High Court challenging the state’s amendment to the Karnataka Cinema (Control) Rules, 2014, which came into effect on 12 September. The rule enforces a uniform ticket price across single screens and multiplexes, pegging the maximum base rate at Rs 200, excluding taxes.
The new law will be known as the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
However, the price cap includes an exception. Multi-screen cinemas with premium facilities having 75 seats or fewer will be exempted from the restrictions, allowing them to maintain their pricing structure.
“The rules are excessive, unconstitutional, and in violation of our fundamental rights,” petitioners have argued, warning of massive losses for both multiplex operators and the state treasury.
The petition also called the amendment “violative of Article 14 and 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution”.
The petitioners have asked the court for an interim order to stay the amendment.
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Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
The Karnataka government order has come at a time when the Kannada film industry is on the cusp of major releases. Pawan Kalyan’s OG is set to release on 25 September, and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 will release on 2 October. Shetty’s film is a sequel to his breakout Kantara (2022), which catapulted the Kannada film industry to fame and commercial success, along with Yash’s K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022).
Kalyan’s film is made on a budget of Rs 250 crore, while Kantara: Chapter 1 has a budget of Rs 125 crore. With massive hype around both films, pre-sales and distribution rights have already seen strong numbers, and the films are expected to break box office records.
Capping movie ticket prices is not a new phenomenon across film industries in South India. In Tamil Nadu, prices are capped at Rs 150, excluding taxes. In Kerala, the government recently formed a committee to examine and regulate cinema ticket prices in theatres and multiplexes. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, too, ticket prices are capped at between Rs 175 and Rs 200.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)