Ticket price cap sparks legal battle as Kantara Chapter 1 nears release

New Delhi: The Kannada film industry has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government's decision to impose a Rs 200 cap on movie ticket prices in multiplexes, just ahead of the much-anticipated release of Kantara Chapter 1.

Four Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed by major players including Hombale Films, Keystone Entertainment, VK Films, and the Multiplex Association of India.

The petitioners argue that the new price cap, which excludes taxes, will significantly dent box office revenues, particularly for high-investment films.

“The uniform ticket pricing across multiplexes will reduce income and result in financial losses for producers and theatre owners,” the petitioners stated, emphasizing that the decision could affect the long-term sustainability of the Kannada film ecosystem.

The timing of the government’s notification has added to industry concerns, coming just weeks before the release of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1, one of the most awaited films of the year.

Produced by Hombale Films, the film is scheduled for release on October 2 and carries a reported budget of Rs 125 crore, making it one of the most expensive Kannada films ever made.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, which grossed over Rs 400 crore globally on a modest Rs 15 crore budget.

The upcoming installment features an ensemble cast including Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah, and is expected to draw large audiences across India and abroad.

With the industry hoping to recover investments through strong theatrical performance, the outcome of the court proceedings could prove pivotal, not just for ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, but for the future of high-scale Kannada cinema.

The court is expected to hear the matter in the coming days, as industry eyes are now closely watching both the legal outcome and its implications for the release strategy of Kantara Chapter 1.