Siddaramaiah Caps Movie Tickets At Rs 200, Announces Kannada OTT In Karnataka Budget

Karnataka Budget 2025: Addressing concerns over soaring multiplex ticket prices, the government has fixed a uniform Rs 200 cap on movie tickets across all theaters, including multiplexes.

A similar initiative to cap ticket prices was faced with legal challenges in 2017.

Source : X

Karnataka Budget 2025: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled the state budget for 2025-26 on Friday outlining an estimated expenditure of Rs 4,08,647 crore. The budget places strong emphasis on infrastructure development, entertainment, minority welfare, and women’s empowerment while ensuring fiscal stability. One of the most notable announcements is the statewide cap on movie ticket prices at Rs 200, a move aimed at making cinema more affordable for the public.

Karnataka Budget 2025-26: Cinema To Become Affordable?

Addressing concerns over soaring multiplex ticket prices, the government has fixed a uniform Rs 200 cap on movie tickets across all theaters, including multiplexes. This decision tackles a long-standing issue in Karnataka’s film industry, where multiplexes have historically charged between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 for premium screenings, particularly for high-budget Kannada and international films, as per a report on One India.  

A similar initiative in 2017 faced legal challenges but the current administration appears resolute in implementing the reform in response to public demand.

Further boosting the Kannada film industry, the government has announced plans to launch a state-backed OTT platform to promote regional content, reported India Today. Additionally, 150 acres in Mysuru have been earmarked for an international-standard film city, to be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with an estimated investment of Rs 500 crore.

Ahead of presenting the budget on Friday, CM Siddaramaiah took to X and said, "Today, I am ready to present the 16th budget of my political career. I am grateful to all the people of Karnataka for giving me the opportunity to present the budget of this state sixteen times. Believing in the aspirations of Buddha, Basava, Gandhi and Ambedkar, and acting accordingly, we have made an effort to take a further step towards realising the dream of an equal society through this budget."