Maharashtra government likely to stop food being delivered to seat during film screenings

State home department believes multiplexes could be violating rules when delivering food to seats

Weeks after the state filed an affidavit in the Bombay high court (HC) saying that allowing outside food into cinemas may lead to security threats, Maharashtra’s home department is now considering the prohibition on the vending of snacks and beverages inside auditoriums during film screenings.

Maharashtra home department officials opined that multiplexes and theatres could be violating rules when they deliver food items to seats inside auditoriums during screenings. (FOR REPRESENTATION ONLY/ HT FILE)

“We have sought action against theatres for blatant violations of such hawking inside theatres. I myself have experienced the buttons next to seats abetting the hawking. We have sought, in our petition, action against such rampant violations,” said advocate Aditya Pratap, counsel for the petitioner Jainendra Baxi, who has moved court and challenged the sale of food and water bottles inside cinemas, particularly multiplexes.

Home department officials opined that multiplexes and theatres could be violating rules when they deliver food items to seats inside auditoriums during screenings. Maharashtra Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1966, prohibits hawking or supply in theatres when a show is in progress. Rule 121 of the said regulation specifies that no hawking, sale, supply or distribution of any eatables or drinks is allowed during a screening.

Theatres owners have denied any violation. “It is true that the food is served at the seat, but it is during the intervals, which is allowed. I don’t think any theatre owners violate the rules,” said Deepak Asher, Multiplexowners Association of India.

Officials in the state’s home department said they are waiting for the HC’s verdict. The next hearing is on September 3.