Karnataka HC stays govt order capping movie ticket prices at Rs 200
Bengaluru, Sep 23 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court stayed enforcement of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which fixed a cap for movie ticket prices at Rs 200 across the state.
Justice Ravi V Hosmani granted the interim stay on Tuesday while hearing a petition filed by the Multiplex Association of India, along with other cinema stakeholders.
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the government had arbitrarily introduced a proviso under the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act to cap ticket prices.
"What is the basis for fixing Rs 200, if customers want to pay more for enhanced facilities? There is no rationale in imposing a uniform ceiling," Rohatgi submitted.
He pointed out that a similar government order issued in 2017 was suspended by the High Court and later withdrawn by the state.
Rohatgi contended that the law does not provide any power to the state to fix ticket rates, and such a restriction directly affects the right of cinema owners to conduct their business.
"There cannot be a direction that every ticket should cost Rs 200, just as there cannot be an order that all airlines must operate in economy class," he argued.
Supporting the plea, Senior Advocates Uday Holla and Dhyan Chinnappa submitted that the amendment had been brought in by adding a proviso to Rule 55, which deals with ticket booths and not ticket pricing.
Chinnappa stressed that a proviso cannot enlarge the scope of the main provision. He said the amendment amounted to overreach, as the power to fix prices must flow from clear legislative backing.
Senior Advocate D R Ravishankar, appearing for another theatre operator, argued that movie ticket pricing is a matter of private contract between exhibitors and customers. He maintained that unless the law expressly provides for such regulation, the government cannot interfere.
"Any restriction of this nature must be traceable to legislation and backed by empirical data. Otherwise, it infringes on the right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g)," he said.
Defending the state's move, Additional Advocate General Ismail Zabiulla submitted that the amendment was introduced in the public interest.
He referred to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Budget speech delivered on March 7 and the subsequent draft notification, which had drawn objections from some stakeholders. He argued that the government's authority to regulate cinema halls flows from the Constitution, citing Entry 33 of List II, which empowers states to regulate theatres and entertainment.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) also sought to intervene, but the court observed that the matter was not a public interest litigation and the body would have to justify its locus. The High Court's interim stay will remain in force until further orders.
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India Post launches first ‘Gen Z’ post office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: India Post has launched its first Gen Z Post Office in Bengaluru at the Acharya Institute of Technology, aiming to attract college students in an age dominated by emails, WhatsApp and social media.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express, Harsha MR, Assistant Superintendent, Bengaluru West Division Post Office, said the new post office, officially named Gen Z Post Office, Achit Nagar, Bengaluru (PIN 560107), will be inaugurated on Wednesday. It has been creatively designed and painted with graffiti by students of the institute to make it more appealing to young people.
He said “In the Gen Z post office, we have introduced two categories in one category, students can come and work with our staff and get good experience, know more about the schemes and services available under India Post”. “In another category, they can work with us part time and they will be provided with incentives but it is still in the pipeline and yet to be implemented.”
Harsha said the initiative is meant to bring postal services closer to students, researchers and the campus community. Similar Gen Z post offices are also planned at GITAM University and the National Law School of India University.
According to the report, they can also use the services to communicate with students across the campuses also. Unlike other post offices, it is a blend of physical and digital world giving students WIFI services, air-conditioned rooms and even coffee vending machines which Gen Z prefer to use.
Harsha said student representatives who will be in-charge of the campus work at post offices within the campus are yet to be decided.
“A roster will be prepared and different students will be given tasks to serve at various service counters. A senior post master will be in charge of Gen Z post offices and he will guide the students,” TNIE quoted Harsha as saying.
India Post officials allegedly said similar Gen Z post offices will soon be launched in Bengaluru North, South and East divisions as part of a broader effort to connect with younger generations.
