By Multiplex Association
Copyright thehindu
The High Court of Karnataka stayed the new rule capping cinema ticket prices at ₹200 (excluding GST) in all theatres and multiplexes across the State.
On September 23, Justice Ravi V. Hosmani passed an interim order on the petitions filed by Multiplex Association of India, film production houses Hombale Films, Keystone Entertainment, and VK Films.
The petitioners contended that the State Government has no power under the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1964, and the rules framed under this law, to restrict or prescribe the price for tickets for cinema exhibition. The Act is mainly for controlling the licencing of cinema theatres, and not for controlling the prices of tickets.
The petitioners have questioned the legality of the amendment made to the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Rules with effect from September 12, capping the prices of the tickets at ₹200, except in multiple-screen cinemas, with premium facilities of 75 seats or less.
The petitioners pointed out that a similar attempt to cap the ticket prices was made in 2017 by issuing a Government Order (GO), but the order was withdrawn after cinema houses and others questioned the legality of the GO.
