Cinema halls can set their own rules on consumption of food by movie goers: Supreme Court rules

In a relief to multiplex owners, the Supreme Court has recently ruled that cinema hall owners have the right to set terms and conditions regarding food. It ruled that theater owners could prevent patrons from obtaining food and beverages from outside. “Should we start bringing jalebis to movies?” The judges commented on one point. Chief Justice D.Y. As per the order, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had lifted the ban on people carrying their own food and water to cinema halls.

“Cinema hall is not a gym that you need healthy food. It is a place of entertainment. A cinema hall is private property. It is for the owner to decide subject to statutory rules. Saying that arms are not allowed Whether or not there is any discrimination may be on the basis of caste or gender, all right. But how can the High Court say that they can bring any food inside the cinema hall?” said the judges.

The debate took an even more hilarious turn when the judges made a comparison to ‘Jalebi’ while explaining their point. “Suppose someone starts getting jalebis inside the cinema hall, the management of the theater can stop them. If the audience wipes their sticky fingers on the seats, who will pay for the cleaning? People can even bring tandoori chicken. There will be complaints. Bones left in the hall. That too can disturb people. Nobody is forcing them to buy popcorn,” Chief Justice Chandrachud said.

However, the judges allowed a concession on water, saying that theaters could provide free water. “But suppose they sell lemonade for Rs 20, then you cannot say that I will buy my lemon from outside and squeeze it in a flask and make it inside the theatre,” the judges said.

About Somdutt SahaExplorer – as Somdutt likes to call himself. She yearns to know the unknown, be it food, people or places. A simple aglio olio pasta or dal-rice and a good movie can make his day.