High court banned Rs 200 ticket cap in Karnataka
Karnataka High Court Has banned the new rule of the state government in which the price of the movie ticket was not to be more than Rs 200. Actually, the Karnataka government recently enacted the Karnataka Cinema (Amendment) Act. Under this law, in all theaters of the state including multiplexes, the maximum price of tickets for films in all languages was fixed at Rs 200. But this decision has been put on an interim stay on this decision at the moment, that is, this rule will not apply until the next hearing is done. In this case, the petition was filed by the Multiplex Association of India, film producers and the operators of bigate theaters like PVR and INO also. While hearing this, Justice Ravi Hosmani has given this verdict.
Objection to comparison of multiplexes and single screen theater
The petitioners have objected to comparison of multiplexes and single screen theater. He argues that it is wrong for all theaters to fix the ticket price of Rs 200. Because the operation, technology and location of multiplexes cost much more than a single screen theater. He also said that premium formats like IMAX, 4DX have not been included in this rule. Therefore it is not right to fix a similar ticket price.
Also, the petitioners have also questioned the selective approach of this rule i.e. select methods. OTT platform, satellite TV and other entertainment means have been excluded from this rule, while cinema halls have been banned. Apart from this, this rule has given exemption to 75 seats or less multiscrew premium cinema, but the definition of premium is not clear.
Questions raised on customer rights
The petitioners say that this rule violates Article 19 (1) (c) of the Constitution of India, which gives the right to trade. Udya Hola, Senior Advocate of Multiplex Association, told the court that the limit of Rs 200 is arbitrary at the cost of the ticket. He says that if customers want to pay more money for luxury facilities, then they should get an option.
At the same time, film exhibitions should have freedom to decide the ticket price according to their facilities. He also told that a similar ticket cap was installed in another state seven years ago, but when he was challenged in the court, he had to withdraw the rules. Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Homebell Films, also said that the right to fix the ticket price should not be the case between the film exhibitor and the customer. Let us tell you that the Karnataka High Court has imposed interim stay only on this rule. This rule will not apply till the next hearing.