Karnataka govt issues draft notification to cap movie ticket prices at Rs 200

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The Karnataka government on July 15 published a draft amendment to Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014, proposing a uniform cap of Rs 200 on movie ticket prices across all theatres, including multiplexes, for all language films.

The draft notification, issued under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964, was released for public feedback and will be taken up for final consideration after 15 days from its publication in the official gazette.

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According to the proposed amendment to Rule 55(6), ticket prices for all shows in the state must not exceed Rs 200, inclusive of entertainment tax. This move, aimed at making cinema more affordable, is expected to impact pricing models at premium multiplex chains.

The Congress-led government had announced this price cap in the 2025-26 state budget, presented on Friday, stating that movie tickets in all theatres- including multiplexes -would be capped at Rs 200 per show.

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The government has also proposed omitting Rule 146 from the existing rules, although the draft does not specify the contents of the rule being removed.

"Citizens and stakeholders have been invited to submit their objections or suggestions regarding the draft. Submissions must be addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home Department, Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru – 560001, within the 15-day window", it said.

Movie ticket prices are regulated in several other states as well. Tamil Nadu, for instance, has among the lowest ticket prices in the country, capped at Rs 120.

While the cap is expected to benefit cinema-goers-especially in cities like Bengaluru where ticket prices are often steep-it has drawn concern from theatre owners and film distributors, some of whom have been lobbying for the removal of similar caps in states like Tamil Nadu.

Also, read: Movies @ Rs 200: Karnataka's price cap spells trouble for PVR Inox, other multiplexes