Supreme Court stays Karnataka’s ₹200 ticket price cap for multiplexes

The Supreme Court on Monday (November 3) granted interim relief to multiplex operators by staying the Karnataka government’s rules that sought to cap cinema ticket prices at ₹200.

The top court’s order restrains the state government from implementing the price cap until further orders. The Karnataka High Court had earlier allowed the rules to be implemented, prompting multiplex associations to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court.

The bench has now directed the Karnataka High Court to decide the multiplexes’ plea against the price cap expeditiously, providing interim protection to cinema operators in the meantime.

The matter will be taken up next by the Karnataka High Court in line with the Supreme Court’s directions.

In July, the Karnataka government issued a draft notification under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, mandating that ticket prices for all language films should not exceed ₹200 per show, inclusive of entertainment tax.

The move drew opposition from the Multiplex Association of India (MAI). Film producers, MAI and PVR INOX shareholders challenged the amended rules. They argued that the blanket application was unreasonable due to cost variations between multiplexes and single screens.

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