Overview

• Justice Ravi V. Hosmani granted interim relief, halting enforcement of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 that introduced the ticket price ceiling.
• The Multiplex Association of India and other petitioners argued the cap is arbitrary, ultra vires the Act, and infringes the right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g).
• Petitioners said the cap was added as a proviso to Rule 55, which deals with ticket booths, contending the Act provides no authority to fix fares and that Section 19 cannot support such a measure.
• The state, represented by AAG Ismail Zabiulla, defended the rule as a budget-backed public-interest regulation grounded in the state's powers over theatres under Entry 33 of the State List.
• The court told the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to substantiate its locus to assist, and the cap remains inoperative until further orders, with petitioners pointing to a similar 2017 cap that was withdrawn after court intervention.