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PVR, Inox Ordered to Pay Rs. 1 Lakh Fine for Wasting A Viewer’s Time With Ads
Updated on: 19 February, 2025 01:51 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
PVR, Inox Fined
A Bengaluru-based moviegoer recently won a legal battle against PVR Cinemas and INOX for delaying the screening of a film with excessive advertisements. The district consumer court ruled in favour of the complainant, ordering the multiplex chains to compensate him with Rs 65,000 in damages and pay an additional Rs 1 lakh as a fine for unfair trade practices.
The delay disrupted Abhishek’s plans for the day. His complaint stated, “The complainant could not attend other arrangements and appointments that were scheduled for the day, has faced losses that cannot be calculated in terms of money as a compensation.” He argued that moviegoers should not be forced to sit through prolonged commercial content before the actual film starts.
Also Read: Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 3: Vicky Kaushal Starrer Crosses 100 Crore
PVR Cinemas and INOX defended their actions by stating that they are legally required to screen certain Public Service Announcements (PSAs). However, the court clarified that such PSAs should be shown within the first 10 minutes before the film begins or during the interval.
The consumer forum also issued specific directions to PVR and INOX, like, ‘The actual movie start time must be mentioned on cinema tickets,’ ‘The multiplexes must stop engaging in unfair trade practices,’ and ‘Advertisements should not extend beyond the scheduled showtime mentioned on the ticket’.
Also Read: CBFC Discontinues Akshay Kumar’s Anti Smoking ‘Nandu’ Ad From Theatres
The court ordered PVR and INOX to compensate Abhishek Rs 20,000 for mental agony and inconvenience, Rs 8,000 for legal expenses, and Rs 1 lakh as punitive damages for unfair trade practices, to be deposited into the consumer welfare fund.
However, the court ruled that BookMyShow was not liable for any claims since it is merely a ticket-booking platform and does not control the screening of advertisements.
This landmark ruling sets a precedent for consumer rights, ensuring that moviegoers are not forced to endure excessive advertisements before a film screening.
Also Read: Ranveer Allahbadia Case: 5 Key Directions Given By The Supreme Court
The Complaint: Unnecessary Delay in Movie Screening
The complainant, Abhishek MR, filed a case against PVR Cinemas, INOX, and the online ticketing platform BookMyShow, claiming they wasted his time by playing ads and trailers for 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the movie. Abhishek had booked a ticket for the 4:05 PM show of Sam Bahadur, starring Vicky Kaushal, on December 26, 2023. However, the actual screening did not begin until 4:30 PM, with advertisements and trailers playing till 4:28 PM.The delay disrupted Abhishek’s plans for the day. His complaint stated, “The complainant could not attend other arrangements and appointments that were scheduled for the day, has faced losses that cannot be calculated in terms of money as a compensation.” He argued that moviegoers should not be forced to sit through prolonged commercial content before the actual film starts.
Also Read: Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 3: Vicky Kaushal Starrer Crosses 100 Crore
Court’s Verdict: Time is Money
The case was heard by a coram of President M. Shobha, along with members K. Anita Shivakumar and Suma Anil Kumar. The court ruled against PVR and INOX, stating, “In the new era, time is considered money, each one`s time is very precious, no one has right to gain benefit out of others time and money. 25-30 (minutes) is not less to sit idle in the theatre and watch whatever the theatre telecasts. It is very hard for busy people with tight schedule watching unnecessary advertisements. However, they make their own arrangements to get some relaxation with family. (This does) not mean that people have no other work to do.”PVR Cinemas and INOX defended their actions by stating that they are legally required to screen certain Public Service Announcements (PSAs). However, the court clarified that such PSAs should be shown within the first 10 minutes before the film begins or during the interval.
The consumer forum also issued specific directions to PVR and INOX, like, ‘The actual movie start time must be mentioned on cinema tickets,’ ‘The multiplexes must stop engaging in unfair trade practices,’ and ‘Advertisements should not extend beyond the scheduled showtime mentioned on the ticket’.
Also Read: CBFC Discontinues Akshay Kumar’s Anti Smoking ‘Nandu’ Ad From Theatres
The court ordered PVR and INOX to compensate Abhishek Rs 20,000 for mental agony and inconvenience, Rs 8,000 for legal expenses, and Rs 1 lakh as punitive damages for unfair trade practices, to be deposited into the consumer welfare fund.
However, the court ruled that BookMyShow was not liable for any claims since it is merely a ticket-booking platform and does not control the screening of advertisements.
This landmark ruling sets a precedent for consumer rights, ensuring that moviegoers are not forced to endure excessive advertisements before a film screening.
Also Read: Ranveer Allahbadia Case: 5 Key Directions Given By The Supreme Court
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