State establishes committee to oversee cinema ticket costs, discloses information to Kerala High Court
In the heart of Kerala, a significant move is underway to regulate the dynamic ticket pricing in movie theaters. The State government, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Manu Nair G, has constituted a seven-member expert committee to examine, study, and recommend a comprehensive and balanced policy on cinema ticket pricing across all theaters and multiplexes in the state.
The committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, includes key figures such as the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, Chairman of the Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board, Secretary of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, a representative from the Local Self Government Department, a representative from the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, and the Managing Director of the Kerala Film Development Corporation, who will serve as the convenor.
The committee's mandate is broad, encompassing the examination of all aspects of ticket pricing, including dynamic pricing models. They are tasked with balancing the economic interests of cinema owners with public access and affordability, and are expected to submit recommendations for a transparent and rational framework that could include a maximum cap on ticket prices or guidelines on price variability.
The PIL argues that excessive ticket prices restrict access to cultural and recreational activities, hence infringe on citizens' constitutional rights under Article 21 related to the right to a dignified life. The government, however, has emphasized that no immediate policy decision has been made, and the committee’s deliberations and multi-round consultations will guide any future regulation.
The case is being heard by a Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji, who have directed the State to file a memo along with the Government Order (GO) notifying the committee's constitution, and have scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 14, 2025.
The petition sought directions to the Kerala government to frame a regulatory mechanism and to impose an interim ban on dynamic pricing until such a policy was in place. It raised concerns about arbitrary ticket hikes based on time slots, demand, and release status without oversight from licensing authorities.
Prior to the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), local self-government institutions fixed ticket rates while issuing licenses, taking into account the entertainment tax. However, after the implementation of GST, the decision was left to theatre operators, leading to the widespread use of dynamic pricing in the State.
Currently, no comprehensive legal framework exists under the Kerala Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1958 or the 1988 Rules, to control or cap movie ticket prices. The process of creating this regulatory mechanism would require detailed study and multiple rounds of consultation, which would likely take at least three months to complete.
As of August 2025, Kerala has no specific current regulation directly limiting dynamic ticket pricing in movie theaters. However, with the formation of this committee and the ongoing legal proceedings, active efforts are being made to address this issue and ensure a fair and affordable cinema-going experience for all citizens.
Senior government pleader Thushara James represented the State, while senior counsel Santhosh Mathew, along with advocates Aswin Gopakumar, Anwin Gopakumar, Aditya Venugopalan, Mahesh Chandran, Saranya Babu, Gopika BS, Abhishek S, and Rohit P, appeared for FICCI and the Multiplex Association of India. Manu Nair G, the petitioner, appeared in person in court. The affidavit filed by Rajee R Pillai, Under Secretary of the State's Cultural Affairs Department, states that the issue of unregulated ticket pricing is being seriously considered.
In summary, while dynamic ticket pricing is currently unregulated specifically in Kerala, active legal and governmental processes are underway, with expert recommendations expected to shape future regulation aimed at controlling and possibly limiting such pricing practices in movie theaters.
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