Supreme Court Slams Theatres Over ‘Exorbitant’ Food, Beverage Prices ₹100 Water, ₹700 Coffee Under Fire
Top court warns unchecked food and ticket pricing could drive audiences away as it hears Karnataka ticket cap case.
New Delhii, Nov 5 : Does a simple movie outing end up burning a hole in your pocket? From popcorn tubs costing over ₹700 to ₹100 water bottles, Indian moviegoers have long complained about steep multiplex prices. On Monday, the Supreme Court of India took note of these concerns, slamming cinema chains for charging “exorbitant” rates and warning that unchecked prices could drive audiences away.
Hearing petitions related to the Karnataka government’s decision to cap movie ticket prices at ₹200, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta expressed disapproval over food and beverage rates inside multiplexes.
“You charge ₹100 for a water bottle, ₹700 for coffee,” Justice Nath remarked, as reported by Live Law. The bench observed that such practices make cinema outings unaffordable and could ultimately leave theatres “empty”.
Karnataka Ticket Cap Case: Industry Pushback
The observation came during the hearing of Multiplex Association of India vs. Karnataka State Film Chamber of Commerce, where theatre owners are challenging the state’s price cap.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for multiplex operators, argued that pricing is a matter of choice: “Even the Taj Hotel charges ₹1,000 for coffee can you fix that?”
However, Justice Nath countered: “Cinema as it is declining make it more reasonable for people to come and enjoy. Otherwise, cinema halls will be empty.”
The Karnataka High Court had earlier upheld the state’s price cap but allowed limited relaxations. It also mandated multiplexes to maintain auditable ticket records and link online and offline sales for accountability.
Public Anger Over Multiplex Costs
For years, consumers have expressed outrage over inflated multiplex prices from popcorn to soft drinks, which often cost up to eight times retail rates.
Trade analyst Himesh Mankad wrote on X: “Multiplex chains are killing cinema going habits of the common man. Obnoxious pricing drives audiences away instead of inviting them to theatres.”
Even filmmaker Karan Johar previously noted that a movie outing for a family of four now costs nearly ₹10,000.
A 2023 CII survey found the average multiplex trip costs ₹1,800 per person, a steep expense that has contributed to a 15% post-pandemic decline in footfalls.
A Wake-Up Call for the Film Industry
With OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime offering cheaper entertainment options, the Supreme Court’s comments have sparked renewed debate on affordability and audience accessibility.
The court’s remarks suggest that reasonable pricing and better regulation could help revive the big-screen experience — making movies a pleasure again, not a luxury.
