New Delhi/Bengaluru, 3 Nov

The Supreme Court stayed the Karnataka High Court's order asking multiplexes to maintain a comprehensive and auditable record for every movie ticket sold.

The High Court's division bench had passed the direction on 30 September while hearing a plea against an order of its single judge that had granted an interim stay on the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which sought to cap cinema ticket prices at Rs 200.

A plea challenging the division bench order came up for hearing on Monday before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.

The counsel for some of the petitioners argued that it wasn’t possible for multiplexes to keep track of tickets because tickets were being sold on platforms such as BookMyShow.

However, the State’s counsel countered that the High Court had issued the stay to ensure that the people were refunded when the order was eventually passed.

"This should be fixed," the bench said, while observing that multiplexes were charging Rs 100 for a water bottle.

"As it is, the cinema is declining. Make it more reasonable for people to come and enjoy. Otherwise, the halls are empty," the bench said, adding, "We are with the division bench that it should be Rs 200."

The bench agreed to hear the plea filed by Multiplex Association of India and others. It issued notice to the Karnataka State Film Chamber of Commerce and others seeking their responses on the plea within four weeks.

"In the meantime, the effect and operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed," the bench said. The top court said it would be open for the single judge to proceed with the matter.

It posted the matter for further hearing on 25 November.