NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court on Tuesday stayed the state government’s order capping cinema ticket prices at Rs 200 across all theatres and multiplexes, news agency ANI reported.The interim order was passed by Justice Ravi V Hosamani after hearing petitions filed by multiplexes, theatre owners and film producers, who argued that the cap was arbitrary and struck at the root of their business.The state government had earlier issued a draft notification under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, proposing a uniform ceiling of Rs 200 per ticket, inclusive of taxes, regardless of the film’s language or venue. It also sought to omit Rule 146 from the existing 2014 regulations. The government argued that the measure was in the public interest and referred to a March budget announcement as well as a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a state’s right to regulate ticket prices.Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Multiplex Association of India, had told the court there was no basis for the ceiling. “History is repeating itself: Earlier through GO, now amendment by a rule,” he said, recalling a similar order in 2017 that was later withdrawn. He added, “Multiplexes spend huge sums on building cinema halls and there cannot be any directive to sell tickets at Rs 200. Or, all airlines should be economy class.” Counsel for Hombale Films, Dhyan Chinnappa, also argued the rule reflected “non-application of mind” and lacked empirical backing.Theatre owners, represented by D R Ravishankar, maintained that ticket pricing was a private contract between exhibitors and moviegoers, while the government contended that objections had already been considered and insisted the cap served the general public’s interest.
