Karnataka govt officially caps movie tickets at Rs 200; multiplexes spared

The Karnataka Government officially capped the price of cinema tickets at Rs 200 across the state on Friday. 

As per the official notification, the price cap, exclusive of taxes, applies to screenings of films in all languages across all theatres, including multiplexes. The notification is a part of the newly amended Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. 

However, the new rule will not apply to multiscreen cinemas offering premium facilities with 75 or fewer seats. It is set to be effective from the date of its final publication in the Official Gazette. 

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has welcome the move, stating that it would greatly benefit the Kannada movie industry.

“This was much-needed, because Bengaluru had one of the highest ticket fares in the city. Going to the movies had become a luxury for people. But this new order will make movie theatres more accessible to the public and, in turn, benefit the film industry. It will work in both the industry and exhibitors’ favour in the long run,” said Narasimhalu, president. 

However, not everyone is happy with the notification. The Karnataka Film Exhibitors Federation plans to reach out to the State government to explain the biases for the new order being passed.

“While we have come to agree on the price cap, the clause that it would not apply to multiplexes offering premium facilities with 75 seats or fewer is a biased one. The government is trying to differentiate between multiplexes and single screens, which is unfair. Our single-screen theatres also offer premium facilities and are no less than the big-name multiplexes. We will not accept this unfair treatment,” said R R Odugoudar, association president. 

The price regulation follows a draft notification issued earlier this year, in July, which had allowed the public to submit suggestions and objections. The state government had also previously attempted to regulate ticket prices in 2017, though the attempt was unsuccessful due to the High Court’s intervention.