The Karnataka government has recently passed a proposal to cut movie ticket prices down to Rs 200, sparking a heated debate online and within the film industries.
Director Anil Sharma, on a recent television news debate, emphasized that while this move could lead to a surge in viewership, it financially challenges many multiplex chains, as they heavily rely on higher ticket prices and profits from overpriced food items like popcorn and samosas.
Anil, best known for directing Gadar 2, which crossed the ₹500 crore mark at the box office, went viral for his comments. Social media users were quick to call him out, questioning how a director of such a massive hit could argue for reducing samosa prices instead of ticket rates.
Many users defended Anil’s views claiming that his argument isn’t completely false citing that often times the food and drinks prices in theaters exceed the actual ticket prices.
Users pointed out how watching movies in theaters has evolved from being a common activity to an act of privilege, largely due to the rise of these multiplexes that significantly increased the cost of watching movies solely for their business model.
Another user noted that films today only seem to sell when marketed as guaranteed blockbusters. In some cases, distributors have even resorted to booking fake tickets to inflate numbers and make up for the lack of real audience buzz.
Moviegoers believe that if this trend continues, the regular public might soon refrain from going to theaters entirely, threatening the long-term viability of cinema as a community experience.
Reducing both ticket and food prices could restore theaters as an accessible entertainment venue, ensuring genuine ticket sales and audience engagement with films.
Most netizens have applauded the Karnataka government’s decision and claim that such an impactful rule should be applied throughout the nation and not just for a particular state.
मल्टिप्लेक्स में समोसे-पॉपकॉर्न होंगे सस्ते तो हर किसी की होगी बंपर कमाई… कर्नाटक सरकार ने फिल्म टिकट को 200 रुपए करने पर काम किया शुरु।
देखिए फिल्म डायरेक्टर अनिल शर्मा की ज़ी बिज़नेस पर खास चर्चा#AapkiKhabarAapkaFayda #Multiplex @AnchorDeepak_ @Anilsharma_dir pic.twitter.com/tdhcUPGSHX
— Zee Business (@ZeeBusiness) July 16, 2025
