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News Topical, Digital Desk : These days, the hobby of watching movies is becoming heavy on the pocket of the common man. After the ticket, the prices of simple things like popcorn, cold drinks and water are also skyrocketing in multiplexes. The Supreme Court on Monday made a strong comment on the arbitrary prices of multiplexes. The court warned that if this situation continues, the cinema halls will be empty. The Supreme Court bench comprised of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta. They were hearing the decision of the Karnataka government, in which the price of movie tickets has been ordered to be limited to Rs 200. The Multiplex Association of India has challenged this decision.
'If the hall gets empty then let it be'
During the hearing, Justice Nath said, "A bottle of water is being charged Rs 100 and a coffee Rs 700. These prices must be controlled. Cinema halls are already declining. Keep prices reasonable so that people enjoy visiting, otherwise the halls will become empty." Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued on behalf of the multiplex. He said, "Coffee is available at the Taj Hotel for Rs 1000. Will that also be fixed? It's a matter of choice. If the halls become empty, let them be. This is only for multiplexes. People can go to ordinary cinema halls. Why should they come here?"
'Where are the ordinary halls left now?'
Responding to Mukul Rohatgi's argument, Justice Nath said, "Where are the ordinary halls left now? We stand with the division bench, the ticket price should remain at Rs 200." The case is Multiplex Association of India and Others vs. Karnataka State Film Chamber of Commerce and Others. Multiplex owners are challenging the Karnataka High Court's order upholding the state government's Rs 200 ticket limit. The Karnataka government's aim is to make movies accessible to the general public, as costs are rising. The High Court's division bench has temporarily suspended the ticket cap, but imposed strict conditions.
The High Court has imposed these strict conditions
The court mandated that multiplexes maintain auditable records of every ticket, track online and offline purchases, and periodically verify accounts with a chartered accountant. The court stated that if the state wins the case, this will allow consumers to receive refunds. Rohatgi, calling the High Court's conditions "impractical," said, "The judges believe tickets are sold over the counter. Tickets are sold through BookMyShow; they have the details. I don't carry an ID. Who carries an ID card to buy a ticket?" The state's lawyer defended that these conditions are merely for "a refund system." If someone pays ₹1,000 today and the state wins tomorrow, they will get ₹800 back.
There has been uproar over high prices before.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time multiplex prices have sparked controversy. It's been discussed everywhere from social media to paan shops. People complain that a cold drink that costs ₹50 outside sells for ₹400 plus tax inside. A half-liter bottle of water costs ₹100. After spending ₹400 to ₹1,200 on tickets, these prices take away the joy. Mumbai-based trade analyst Himesh Mankad wrote on X, "Multiplex chains are killing the common man's cinema-going habit. Most people are put off going to the theaters because of the high prices. Instead of inviting audiences to the big screen, they're driving them away with high prices."
Celebrities have also complained
Not just ordinary people, celebrities have also complained. Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar said last year that a movie outing for four people now costs Rs 10,000. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry's 2023 consumer survey, the average expenditure per person at multiplexes is Rs 1,800. This has led middle-class families to avoid watching movies at multiplexes, and footfall has declined by 15% since the pandemic. The film industry is competing with Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, and dozens of OTT platforms. This observation by the Supreme Court could make moviegoing less burdensome in the coming years.
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