The Kerala government has informed the High Court that it has constituted a seven-member committee to examine and recommend measures for regulating cinema ticket prices, including the dynamic pricing model currently followed by multiplexes such as PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis.
The submission was made in an affidavit filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by advocate Manu Nair G, who appeared in person, challenging the practice of arbitrarily increasing ticket rates based on time slots, demand, and the release status of films. The plea argued that the absence of regulation violates Article 14 of the Constitution, especially since States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have already capped ticket prices through government orders.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji on Monday directed the State to file a memo along with the Government Order (GO) notifying the committee’s constitution and posted the matter for further hearing on August 14, 2025. The Court noted that the issue of “unregulated ticket pricing” warranted serious consideration.
According to the affidavit filed by Rajee R Pillai, Under Secretary of the State’s Cultural Affairs Department, no comprehensive legal framework currently exists under the Kerala Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1958 or the 1988 Rules to control or cap movie ticket prices.
Before the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), ticket rates were fixed by local self-government institutions while issuing licences, taking into account the entertainment tax. However, post-GST, this responsibility was left to theatre operators, leading to widespread adoption of dynamic pricing in the State.
The affidavit said the government was exploring a regulatory mechanism that would categorise theatres based on amenities and services offered, with maximum ticket rates fixed for each category. “The theatre owners may decide the rates based on the maximum rates fixed by the regulatory body; however, these are only discussions at the preliminary stage and a detailed study and discussion is needed,” it stated, adding that the process would take at least three months to complete.
The committee, constituted through a Government Order dated July 26, 2025, is chaired by the Chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and includes:
- Chairman, Kerala State Chalachithra Academy
- Chairman, Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board
- Secretary, Kerala State Chalachithra Academy
- Representative, Local Self Government Department
- Representative, Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation
- Managing Director, Kerala State Film Development Corporation (Convenor)
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.
The petitioner sought an interim ban on dynamic ticket pricing until the State frames a regulatory policy. The matter will be taken up again next week.
Case: Manu Nair G vs State of Kerala & ors – Available on LAWFYI.IO
