In a move that could impact moviegoers across Kerala, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the practice of dynamic ticket pricing in multiplexes. The plea, filed by advocate Manu Nair G, seeks regulatory oversight to curb what it calls arbitrary and excessive pricing strategies adopted by cinema chains.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued notice to the State government, directing the government pleader to seek instructions on the matter. The case has been posted for further hearing on July 1.
The PIL targets major multiplex chains such as PVR INOX, Cinepolis, and others, alleging that they have been exploiting consumers by hiking ticket prices based on demand, time slots, and the release status of films—particularly during the opening weeks.
Manu argued that these practices are being carried out without any approval or oversight from licensing authorities, in violation of the Kerala Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1958, and the associated Rules of 1988. The petition emphasized that “cinema theatres in Kerala are bound by licensing norms to ensure public interest, yet dynamic pricing is being implemented without any legal backing.”
“In the absence of such oversight, multiplex theatres in Kerala—such as 8th respondent (PVR INOX), 9th respondent (Cinepolis)—have adopted a pricing regime that is not only opaque but also discriminatory and financially burdensome to the common public,” the plea states.
The petition also compares Kerala’s regulatory vacuum to other Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, where executive orders have been issued to cap ticket prices and protect consumers.
The inaction of the Kerala government in this regard, the petitioner claims, violates Article 14 of the Constitution (Right to Equality), as cinema-goers in Kerala are subjected to unregulated pricing unlike those in other states.
The PIL seeks a court directive to the State government to frame a regulatory mechanism for multiplex ticket pricing. It also calls for interim relief in the form of a temporary suspension of dynamic pricing practices until a formal policy is put in place.
Case: Manu Nair G vs State of Kerala & ors – Available on LAWFYI.IO
