EATING ORDER

The apex court recently passed a judgment ruling that the owner of movie halls or multiplexes have the right to regulate people from carrying any outside food or beverage into the theatres. It is a huge reprieve for cinema operators

- -Abhilash Singh and India Legal Bureau

BIG cinema chains like PVR and Inox are breathing sighs of relief after the Supreme Court order. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha noted on January 3, 2023, that cinema halls are private properties and the owners are entitled to set terms and conditions on the moviegoers as long as it is in public interest and safety. "A cinema hall is a private property. What goes in is for the owner of the property to decide subject to statutory rules," the bench pointed out. Giving real-life examples, the bench said that the owner of cinema halls may not want people wiping hands on the seats after eating jalebis brought from outside and therefore can forbid the same. "It's his right. He may not want tandoori chicken to be bought in. No one is forcing them to buy popcorn. But the owner has a right," the bench added. It said that concessions could be made for providing free water at movie theatres, but that doesn't give moviegoers the right to bring lemons from outside and make lemon water inside the hall just because lime water is priced at Rs 20.