The Karnataka government has once again decided to cap movie ticket prices at Rs 200 across all theatres, including multiplexes. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the move on March 7 while presenting the state budget.
In 2017, the then Siddaramaiah government had announced the capping of ticket prices at Rs 200 in multiplexes, but the order was stayed in the High Court. The government withdrew the order after this. The issue was raised during the question hour on March 6 in the Council by Janata Dal (Secular) MLC Govindraju, who questioned why the government had not stepped in to fix the ticket prices. Responding to the question, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that once the earlier order was withdrawn, theatre owners had continued to fix the ticket prices, but the government still had the right to decide the rates.
Apart from cinegoers, the decision will also cheer the Kannada film industry, as they have long been complaining that multiplexes chose to screen other language movies as the tickets are priced higher than Kannada language films.
As part of efforts to support the Kannada film industry, Siddaramaiah announced the creation of a state-run OTT platform to promote Kannada films. Additionally, cinema will be granted industry status, allowing it to benefit from facilities under the state’s Industrial Policy. A new multiplex complex will also be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on 2.5 acres of land owned by the Karnataka Film Academy in Nandini Layout, Bengaluru.
Further, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to developing an international-level Film City in Mysuru at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore. The project will be implemented under the PPP model, and 150 acres of land have already been transferred to the Department of Information and Public Relations for this purpose. The government aims to complete the project in the coming years.
Expensive multiplexes
Parameshwara also addressed concerns over additional costs imposed on moviegoers, including high prices for snacks and beverages. Despite past government efforts to permit outside food and water in cinemas, compliance has remained inconsistent.
In a written response to Govindaraju, Parameshwara stated that the government had not received any petitions requesting the standardisation of cinema ticket fares. He also noted that there had been no formal complaints regarding multiplexes charging higher ticket prices for non-Kannada films.
The Minister further revealed that the state government had collected Rs 74.42 lakh in license renewal fees from 41 multiplexes in Bengaluru over the past three years. He also highlighted the decline of single-screen theatres in Karnataka, pointing out that of the 650 single-screen cinemas in the state, 100 had already shut down, and another 150 were on the verge of closure due to operational difficulties.