Haven't we all been to the movies recently and felt a real pinch while emptying out our wallets on the ridiculously expensive movie tickets? Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have taken note of this common frustration.

Presenting the state budget for 2025-26 on Friday, he announced a much-needed relief for cinephiles—capping movie ticket prices at ₹200 across the state. The ₹4,08,647 crore budget prioritizes infrastructure development, entertainment, minority welfare, and women’s empowerment while maintaining fiscal stability.

Among its standout initiatives is the ticket price cap, which aims to make cinema outings more affordable. Karnataka’s multiplexes have long been criticized for charging exorbitant rates—sometimes as high as ₹1,000 for premium screenings, particularly for big-budget Kannada and international films, as per One India.

In another major move to boost the regional film industry, the government will launch a state-backed OTT platform to promote Kannada and local-language content, India Today reported.

Further, the state has earmarked 150 acres in Mysore for the development of an international-standard film city under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with an estimated investment of ₹500 crore. Ahead of presenting the budget, CM Siddaramaiah took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present his 16th budget, emphasizing his commitment to equality and social justice.

“Believing in the aspirations of Buddha, Basava, Gandhi and Ambedkar, and acting accordingly, we have made an effort to take a further step towards realising the dream of an equal society through this budget.”,he stated. With these ambitious moves, Karnataka is positioning itself as a major player in the entertainment industry while making movies accessible to a wider audience.