Not game for drinks

Multiplexes opt not to serve alcohol to “badly behaved” Delhiites during IPL screenings.

Dilliwallahs

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will have to make do with getting high just on cricket, when it comes to watching IPL in cinema halls. While multiplexes in Bangalore and Mumbai have applied for a licence to serve liquor during IPL screenings, their security-wary Delhi counterparts are saying they can’t follow suit as Delhiites can’t hold their drinks.

“We have decided not to apply for a liquor license in Delhi. Most of our halls are located in East and North West Delhi, and we are not sure if we would be comfortable serving alcohol there. For our Mumbai and Bangalore halls, we’re hoping to get licences tomorrow,” says Deepak Taluja, Senior VP, Fun Cinemas.

Anant Verma, Business Head, DT Cinemas says, “Liquor in Delhi’s cinema halls isn’t a good idea given the Capital’s law-and-order situation. We’ve only applied for a license in Gurgaon and have tied up with a liquor brand for that.”

“I will not step into a multiplex where drinks are being served. Don’t they know how Delhi men behave when drunk?” asks Sujata Sharma, a DU student.

Even those who have applied for such a licence confess it isn’t easy to get one. “We are trying for a licence but the response isn’t very encouraging,” admits Tushar Dhingra, COO, Big Cinemas. “We’ve applied for it, let’s see if it comes through,” says Tinku Singh, President SRS Cinemas.