The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to take a 'rational and realistic' decision on setting the prices of tickets in cinema halls.

This comes after a long legal battle between the Tamil Nadu Film Exhibitors Association and the state government.

The Times of India reported:

(The court) disapproved of the government's decision not to accede to the exhibitors' plea to upwardly revise ticket fares, and said: “It can hardly be disputed that on various accounts, costs have increased, including basic aspects like electricity cost, dearness allowance payable to employees and entertainment tax." 

A writ petition filed by the association earlier, had four demands, including one that theatre owners would fix the rates for new films for the first two weeks.

The petitioner also wanted a 150 to 200 percent hike in ticket prices.

On October 21, the government rejected all four demands, following which the association filed the present petition. 

According to reports, the existing ticket prices range from Rs 20 to Rs 150 based on the amenities offered such as AC or non-AC.

The association had termed the rates 'grossly inadequate to meet expenses', the TOI report added.

The court gave the state one month to take a decision on the matter.