If you are a resident of Bengaluru, you would know how costly the movie tickets in multiplexes are. If a person wants to watch a movie, he has to spend Rs 300 on the multiplex ticket plus some extra amount on food and beverages; so, the total amount that one has to bear is somewhere between Rs 600 – Rs 700, isn’t it way too much? Well, if you are too fond of watching movies and that too in multiplexes, we have some good news for you.
Yesterday, CM Siddaramaiah presented the 1.8 lakh crore Karnataka Budget and announced a cap on movie tickets. Yes, ticket prices in Karnataka multiplexes have been capped at Rs 200 now. This move has been implemented in order to promote the film industry there.
A 14 member committee was formed under SV Rajendra Singh Babu (Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy chairman) and an official request was made to the government to cap the ticket prices at Rs 120, just like in case of Tamil Nadu. However, after several discussions, the price was capped at Rs 200, considering the high maintenance costs of multiplexes.
Apart from the cap on film tickets, an announcement about a film city being set up in Mysuru, was also made. It seems the government wants to focus on the Kannada film industry. On several occasions, the ticket prices in INOX and PVR go up to Rs 700, depending on the film and the star, but with this cap, the factor of affordability would crop in.
Government has announced some other decisions too, in favor of the film industry. Earlier, the Film Workers Welfare Fund was Rs 1 crore, but now, it has been raised Rs 10 crores. Moreover, the tax applicable on per ticket of non-Kannada films was Re 1 but now, it’s Rs 5. The State government said that this amount would be used for promoting Kannada films.
Also, it is compulsory for the State’s multiplexes to screen Kannada or other regional movies between 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm. All these moves will definitely prove to be beneficial to the Kannada film industry, don’t you think so? Do share your views about the same in our comments section below.
