Govt must try to regulate price of food sold in cinema halls: HC

MUMBAI: Observing that although cinema halls may stop people from carrying their own food and water inside theatres, the Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state to espouse the possibility of regulating prices of eatables served inside theatres.

“Cinema-goers can’t be allowed to carry outside food and water inside cinema halls, but the government must regulate the prices of food and drinks sold inside halls,” said the division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai, adding that the “rates are exorbitant”. The bench felt that cinemagoers may not be allowed to carry outside food inside theatres for security and other reasons.

The HC was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Jinendra Baxi challenging the ban on packed food and water bottle inside cinema halls, especially multiplexes. In his PIL, Baxi highlighted how patrons are not allowed to carry their own food items and water bottles inside theatres when there is no legal restriction. However, fast food sold in several theatres, especially multiplexes, is permitted inside theatres, although there is a restriction on the same by Rule 121 of the Maharashtra Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1966, said Baxi’s complaint.

Baxi’s PIL stated that as the state is the licencing authority for cinema halls, it was legally bound to ensure that the right to life of citizens is not undermined. It added that his representations to the state had got no response.

Government pleader Purnima Kantharia said there was no legal provision empowering the state to regulate prices of food sold inside halls. She said outside food inside halls is also not banned.

However, Baxi’s lawyer, advocate Aditya Pratap Singh, pointed out that every day, cinema-goers are stopped from carrying their own food and water inside halls, in violation of their rights.

Senior advocate Iqbal Chagla, representing FICCI Multiplexes Association of India, opposed the PIL and said going to a theatre and having food sold inside theatres was a matter of choice.

The PIL will now come up for further hearing after four weeks.