The Karnataka high court on Tuesday reserved its order on an interim plea filed by multiplex owners and film production houses seeking a stay on the State government’s new rule capping cinema ticket prices at Rs 200 (exclusive of GST) across theatres and multiplexes in the state, media reports stated.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (Sept.  15) took up a petition filed jointly by the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) and a PVR INOX shareholder, contesting the State government’s order imposing a ceiling of Rs.200 on cinema ticket prices.

The petitioners maintained that the restriction is arbitrary and discriminates against multiplex operators who incur higher operating costs.

According to the UNI report, Senior Advocate Udaya Holla, appearing for MAI, argued that viewers should have the option of paying a premium for enhanced cinema experiences.

He submitted that a uniform cap fails to account for differences in infrastructure and services and amounts to an unreasonable curb on business freedoms, with no direct link to consumer protection. He also recalled that a similar order had been struck down seven years ago after being challenged in court.