Karnataka budget proposes max admission fee of Rs 200 in theatres

Bengaluru: A maximum ceiling of Rs 200 in admission fee at cinema theatres in Karnataka, including multiplexes, was today proposed in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the assembly today. It also proposed to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Kannada and regional cinema during the prime time.

The proposals in the 2017-18 budget follow recommendations by the 14-member committee, headed by filmmaker and Chairman of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy S V Rajendra Singh Babu, s constituted to draft a policy for promotion of Kannada cinema.

“It is proposed to implement uniform admission fee policy in all cinema theatres, including multiplexes in the State, by prescribing Rs 200 as maximum admission fee,” Siddaramaiah said in his budget speech in the Assembly.

“Exhibiting Kannada and regional language films in one screen of multiplex cinemas of the state in prime time between 1.30 PM to 7.30 PM will be made compulsory,” he added. There were demands from various stakeholders of the film industry to the government, urging it to cap multiplex entry fee at Rs 120 on the lines of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister also proposed that the amount given to charitable fund established for medical benefits to workers, technicians and artistes of the film industry be enhanced from Rs one crore to Rs 10 crore.

PTI