Karnataka High Court halts 2025 ticket price cap, allowing current pricing to continue.

The Karnataka High Court has temporarily stayed the state government’s rule capping movie ticket prices at ₹200, halting enforcement of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The order, issued by Justice Ravi V. Hosmani, followed petitions from multiplex owners, film producers, and the Multiplex Association of India, who argued the price cap was arbitrary, unfair to high-cost multiplexes, and violated business rights. They cited a similar 2017 cap that was previously struck down and warned the rule undermines market-based pricing and consumer choice. The court’s stay allows theatres to maintain current pricing while the legal challenge continues.