Bengaluru: In a major relief for moviegoers, the Karnataka government has announced that ticket prices in all theatres across the state, including multiplexes, will be capped at ₹200. The decision was revealed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday while presenting his 16th state budget.

In a significant boost to the Kannada film industry, Siddaramaiah also announced plans to launch a state-backed OTT platform dedicated to promoting Kannada cinema. This move comes after prominent Kannada filmmakers, including Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty, voiced concerns over the difficulty in securing slots for Kannada content on major streaming platforms.

Rakshit Shetty’s production house, Paramvah Studios, had to launch its own custom streaming platform in July 2024 to release its web series Ekam, after struggling to find an OTT platform to host it.

Further supporting the industry, the state government has allocated ₹3 crore to create a repository of Kannada films, preserving both digital and non-digital formats that depict Karnataka’s social, historical, and cultural heritage.

Additionally, the government has granted the cinema sector industry status, extending benefits under the state’s Industrial Policy—a long-pending demand from filmmakers and stakeholders.

With these measures, Karnataka aims to make cinema more accessible to audiences while strengthening its regional film industry.

According to him, a multiplex movie theatre complex will also be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in 2.5-acre land owned by the Karnataka Film Academy in Nandini Layout in the city.

Also, for developing an International level Film City in Mysuru at a cost of Rs 500 crore in PPP model, 150 acre land has been transferred to the Department of Information and Public relations, Siddaramaiah said. PTI