New Delhi, July 18 -- Karnataka's government has issued an order capping the price of movie tickets at Rs.200, inclusive of entertainment tax, for all language films at theatres, including multiplexes. This follows an earlier attempt in 2017, when a similar cap was placed on movie ticket prices but was lifted after multiplex owners took the matter to court.

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As reported, the idea is to promote regional cinema, although it's unclear why the order covers all languages. That aside, it's a bad idea for the state to interfere in how prices are set in a market. This involves movie producers, exhibitors and audiences, with no role for governments except to clear films fo...