Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 23: In a setback to the state government, the Karnataka high court has stayed the order issued by the Siddaramaiah government fixing the price of movie tickets at Rs 200 in all theatres across the state.
Multiplexes and Hombale Films had approached the high court challenging the government’s price-fixation order. Acting on the petitions, the high court has granted an interim stay on the government’s directive.
For decades, the film industry has been demanding a uniform ticket pricing system citing the dominance of non-Kannada films and exorbitant ticket charges. Several discussions, arguments, and counter-arguments had taken place on this issue. Taking the matter seriously, the state government had fixed a uniform ticket rate at Rs 200.
However, opposition to the Rs 200 cap soon emerged, with debates suggesting that big-budget films would be adversely affected. Eventually, petitions were filed in the high court questioning the government’s decision.
Hearing the matter, the bench headed by Justice Ravi Hosmani issued a stay on the government order and adjourned further proceedings.