The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the steep prices charged in multiplexes for movie tickets and food items, observing that unless the rates are made reasonable, cinema halls could soon go empty.
A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the remarks while hearing petitions filed by the Multiplex Association of India and others challenging certain conditions set by the Karnataka High Court. The High Court had earlier stayed the state government’s order capping ticket prices at 200 but imposed additional conditions.
During the hearing, Justice Nath remarked, “You charge 100 for a water bottle, ₹700 for coffee,” highlighting the excessive pricing inside multiplexes.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Multiplex Association, countered by saying, “Taj charges 1,000 for coffee—can you fix that?”
In response, Justice Nath observed, “These rates should be fixed. Cinema is already declining—make it more reasonable for people to come and enjoy, otherwise cinema halls will be empty.”
When Rohatgi argued that “let it be empty… people can go to the normal theatres,” Justice Nath replied, “There are no normal ones left, and we agree with the High Court that ₹200 is reasonable.”
Rohatgi further contended that the Karnataka High Court’s directions were impractical, particularly the one requiring multiplexes to record ID details of cash buyers. The High Court had also ordered that multiplexes maintain auditable records of every ticket sale, track both online and offline buyers for potential refunds, and have their accounts periodically verified by a chartered accountant.