In a significant move to make movie-going more affordable, the Karnataka government on Friday announced in the budget 2025-26 that the cost of tickets for each show in all theatres across the state, including multiplexes, will be capped at Rs 200.This decision aims to benefit cinema-goers while ensuring fair pricing in the film industry.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has been at the forefront of advocating for this price cap, especially in multiplexes, to make cinema more accessible to the public.However, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has expressed concerns, stating that the cap is "retrograde, irrational, unfair, against the interests of the film industry and the people of Karnataka, and potentially unconstitutional."
Alongside this, the government has unveiled a slew of initiatives to boost the Kannada film industry. A multiplex theatre complex will be developed on 2.5 acres of land owned by the Karnataka Film Academy in Nandini Layout, Bengaluru. The project, to be executed under the PPP model, aims to enhance film-viewing infrastructure and provide a platform for Kannada cinema.To preserve Kannada films that depict social, historical, and cultural values, the government has allocated Rs 3 crore for the creation of a repository. The collection will store movies in both digital and non-digital formats, ensuring their long-term conservation.
Further, in a move to support journalists facing financial hardship, the state government has decided to increase the monthly pension from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. Additionally, family pension will be raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500.To further promote Kannada films, an OTT platform will be developed in the state. The initiative is expected to provide filmmakers with a dedicated digital platform to showcase their work and expand their reach to a global audience.(UNI)
