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The Supreme Court has recently said that if multiplexes do not reduce their ticket prices, cinema halls will remain empty. The court said that now the popularity of cinema is declining and ticket prices are becoming beyond the reach of common people. Actually, the Supreme Court made this comment during the hearing of the petition filed by the Multiplex Association of India against an order of the Karnataka High Court.
On Monday, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stayed the Karnataka High Court order directing multiplexes to maintain complete and auditable records of every movie ticket sold.
The Division Bench of Karnataka High Court had given this order on September 30. This case was related to the interim order of the single judge of the High Court, in which the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 was stayed.
Actually, the Karnataka government had made rules to fix the maximum ticket price in multiplexes at Rs 200. Multiplex owners challenged this rule in the Karnataka High Court. The Division Bench of the High Court stayed the government’s decision, but also directed the multiplexes to maintain complete records of every ticket sold. Its purpose was that if the court later ruled in favor of the government’s decision, the extra money could be returned to the customers.
Taking 100 rupees for water bottle: Supreme Court
On Monday, the Supreme Court said in the matter, “This should be decided. Multiplexes are charging Rs 100 for a water bottle and Rs 700 for coffee. The number of people watching movies in the cinema is already decreasing. Keep the ticket price low so that people come to watch the movie in the theatre, otherwise the halls will remain empty. We agree with the Division Bench that the ticket should be only Rs 200.”
The bench agreed to hear the petition of Multiplex Association of India and others. The court has issued notice to Karnataka State Film Chamber of Commerce and other parties and sought their response within four weeks.
The bench said, “For the time being the High Court order will remain on hold.” The court also said that the single judge can continue hearing on this case further.
The High Court had stayed the government’s decision
The single judge had given this order on September 23, in which the amendment fixing the maximum ticket price at Rs 200 was challenged. At that time the court had put a temporary stay on the amendment.
When the matter went to the division bench, it said on September 30 that an interim arrangement was necessary to protect the financial interests of all parties. The bench said that multiplexes should maintain complete records of every ticket sale, including date, time, mode of booking, mode of payment, amount collected and GST information.
The Division Bench also said that if tickets are sold in cash, it will be mandatory to give time-stamped and numbered receipts. Also, the manager’s signature will be required on each day’s cash register.
Now this case has again been listed for hearing on November 25.
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