The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued an interim stay order against the Rs 200 cap on cinema ticket regulation ahead of the upcoming release of the film Kantara: Chapter 1, starring Rishab Shetty, on Gandhi Jayanti.
The producers of Kantara: Chapter 1, along with the Multiplex Association of India, are among the several petitioners who have approached the Karnataka High Court against the new state regulations that have capped movie ticket prices at Rs 200 (excluding taxes) for upcoming releases.
The price ceiling, announced on September 12, followed the government’s amendment to the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014.
What did the petitioners argue?
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the government had superseded the provisions prescribed under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act to cap ticket prices.
“What is the basis for fixing Rs 200, if customers want to pay more for enhanced facilities? There is no rationale in imposing a uniform ceiling,” Rohatgi submitted to the court. Rohatgi further substantiated his argument by pointing out that a similar government order had been issued in 2017 but had been previously suspended by the High Court prompting the state to withdraw the order itself.
Rohatgi further contended that the law does not provide any power to the state to fix ticket rates as that directly intervenes with the business of cinema owners. He further drew an analogy comparing ticket prices to airfare. “There cannot be a direction that every ticket should cost Rs 200, just as there cannot be an order that all airlines must operate in economy class,” he submitted to the court.
State government’s defence?
Appearing for the state government, Additional Advocate General Ismail Zabiulla remarked that the step had been taken to promote the general public’s access to cinema halls. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has also filed an application opposing any interim order favouring the petitioners.
Zabiulla contended the petitioner’s argument by stipulating that the government’s authority to regulate cinema halls flows from the Constitution, which empowers states to regulate theatres and entertainment.
Announced on September 12, the price cap does not affect any multi-screen premium cinemas that house less than 75 seats. This policy was previously introduced in the state in 2017 as well, but was withdrawn in the face of a challenge to it in the Karnataka High Court.
Kantara: Chapter 1 is set for a worldwide theatrical release on October 2. The movie will premiere in multiple languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, English, and Bengali across theatres. Star of southern cinema, Rishabh Shetty, is the director and lead actor of the movie.