The Karnataka government has officially capped movie ticket prices at ₹200 (exclusive of taxes) across the state. The move, notified under the Karnataka Cinema (Control) Act, 1964, applies to screenings of films in all languages and in all theatres, with the exception of certain premium screens inside multiplexes.
According to the notification, the maximum price of a cinema ticket cannot exceed ₹200. However, the rule comes with one exemption: multi-screen theatres with premium facilities and a seating capacity of 75 or fewer seats are excluded from this cap. This means small luxury formats or boutique screens inside multiplexes will not be bound by the ceiling.
The government clarified that the cap is exclusive of taxes. Under current GST rules, tickets priced above ₹100 attract 18% GST, so a ₹200 ticket would cost approximately ₹236 at the counter after tax.
Officials say the decision was taken to make cinema more affordable and to ensure fair pricing for audiences across Karnataka. The government invoked its powers under the state cinema regulation law, emphasizing that public accessibility to films should not be hindered by steep ticket costs.
What It Means for Moviegoers
- The new rule will come into effect once it is published in the Official Gazette.
- For most single-screen cinemas and standard multiplex shows, ticket prices cannot cross ₹200 (plus taxes).
- Premium boutique screens with 75 seats or less remain exempt, which means luxury viewing formats could still charge higher.
This is not Karnataka’s first attempt at regulating ticket prices. A similar cap was announced in 2017, but implementation faced hurdles and legal challenges. Observers believe the success of the latest move will depend on clarity in enforcement, possible industry pushback, and audience response.
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