India, Sept. 17 -- The Karnataka government on Tuesday asserted that ensuring affordable access to cinema was a matter of public interest, justifying its decision to impose a cap of Rs.200 on movie ticket prices.

Arguing that theatres and entertainment fall squarely within the State List under the Constitution, the government told a bench of Justice Ravi Hosmani that the recent amendment to the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, which brought in the change in prices, was a valid exercise of statutory power aimed at guaranteeing cinema for all at reasonable rates.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by the Multiplex Association of India, some film production companies, and a shareholder of PVR Inox challenging the state's...