No Price Cap on Weekend Movie Tickets, Rules Karnataka HC

Imposing a cap on the prices was not an investor-friendly move, the Multiplex Authority of India told the state.

Representational image of a movie theatre (Photo: iStock)

In a major relief to movie theatres in the state, the Karnataka High Court has said that cap on price of movie tickets will not be applicable during weekends and state holidays.

On Thursday, the HC heard a writ petition filed by Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on 9 May. The court has given four-weeks' time to the state government to file a counter.

The MAI approached the high court following the state government's order issued on 2 May that capped the prices of movie tickets at Rs 200.

For now, tickets in most theatres in Bengaluru city on weekends cost Rs 264 with tax. This is in some cases much more than what was being charged on weekdays, prior to the cap.

According to the government order, all theatres, including multiplexes, in the state are supposed to cap ticket prices at Rs 200. However, Gold Class, IMAX and 4DX theatres were excluded from this price restriction.

Speaking to TNM, MAI President Deepak Asher said that the association had decided to seek legal resort based on advice from legal experts.

Also Read: It’s official: Movies in Karnataka theaters will now cost Rs 200 or less

We have been advised that a state government does not have the right to impose cap on movie ticket prices according to the Cinema Regulation act and decided to challenge it

MAI President Deepak Asher

Earlier, the association had urged the state government to withdraw its notification, claiming that imposing a cap on the prices was not an investor-friendly move and was against the interests of the film industry.

(This article was first published in The News Minute)