Expensive popcorn and cold drinks in theatres.
Nowadays, going to theaters and watching movies has become more than just entertainment, it has become a matter of saving money. If you go to watch a movie in a multiplex, apart from the ticket, thousands of rupees are spent on popcorn and drinks alone. A tub of popcorn is available for Rs 300 to 700, a cold drink for Rs 400 and a bottle of water for Rs 100. In such a situation, the fun of cinema is reduced to half.
Now the Supreme Court has also shown a strict stance on this. On Monday, the court expressed concern over the rising prices in multiplexes and said that if the prices continue to rise like this, the audience will stay away from the cinema halls and the theaters will remain empty.
Supreme Court’s strict comment
According to the report of India Today, the bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta clearly said during the hearing that it is not justified to sell water bottles for Rs 100 and coffee for Rs 700 in the theatre. The court was hearing a petition filed by the Karnataka government on its decision to limit movie ticket prices to Rs 200.
The Supreme Court said that watching films should be within the reach of people. Justice Nath commented, ‘Cinema has already reduced, make it a little more reasonable so that people can come and enjoy it, otherwise theaters will be empty.’
Karnataka government’s move
The Karnataka government recently issued an order to control movie ticket prices, so that films can be made available to more people. However, multiplex owners challenged this order in court. The High Court had also put a temporary stay on the ticket limit, but had put a condition that the multiplex should keep a record of every ticket and return the money to the buyer in case of refund.
logic of multiplex
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Multiplex Association, argued that the government cannot fix the prices. If a hotel sells coffee for Rs 1,000, it is its choice. But the Supreme Court did not agree with this. The court said that entertainment should remain within the reach of the general public, it cannot be made a luxury.