In a landmark decision, a Bengaluru consumer court has directed PVR Cinemas and INOX to clearly display the actual start times of movies on their tickets, excluding the duration of pre-screening advertisements. This ruling came after a complaint by a 30-year-old Bengaluru resident, Abhishek M.R., who sued the multiplex giants for subjecting him to 25 minutes of advertisements before the screening of the movie “Sam Bahadur” in December 2023.
Abhishek recounted that he had purchased a ticket for the 4:05 PM show of “Sam Bahadur” at a PVR outlet. However, the movie commenced only at 4:30 PM, following 25 minutes of commercial advertisements. This unexpected delay disrupted his post-movie work commitments, prompting him to file a complaint against PVR Cinemas, INOX, and BookMyShow. He argued that the prolonged ad duration amounted to an “unfair trade practice” and caused significant inconvenience.
In their defense, PVR Cinemas and INOX contended that the extended advertisement slots were intended to accommodate late-arriving patrons who might be delayed due to security checks or other reasons. They asserted that this practice ensured that all viewers could enjoy the movie from the beginning without missing any scenes.
The court, however, was not persuaded by this justification. It emphasized that time is a valuable commodity and that patrons have the right to know the exact start time of the feature film they intend to watch. The court stated, “In the new era, time is considered as money; each one’s time is very precious. No one has the right to gain benefit out of others’ time and money.” The court further noted that subjecting viewers to 25-30 minutes of advertisements is unreasonable, especially for those with tight schedules seeking relaxation with family.
While BookMyShow was also named in the complaint, the court absolved the ticketing platform of any responsibility, acknowledging that it does not have control over the scheduling of movie showtimes or the duration of advertisements.
As a result of the ruling, PVR Cinemas and INOX have been directed to:
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Update Ticket Information: Clearly mention the actual start time of the feature film on all tickets, excluding the time allocated for advertisements.
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Limit Advertisement Duration: Ensure that pre-movie advertisements do not extend beyond the scheduled showtime, respecting the patrons’ time and expectations.
In addition to these directives, the court ordered PVR Cinemas and INOX to compensate Abhishek with Rs.20,000 for the mental agony and inconvenience caused. They were also instructed to pay Rs.8,000 towards the legal expenses incurred by the complainant. Furthermore, the multiplex chains were fined Rs.1 lakh as punitive damages, underscoring the seriousness of the issue and serving as a deterrent against similar practices in the future.
This ruling has significant implications for the cinema industry, especially concerning the transparency of movie showtimes and the duration of pre-screening advertisements. It emphasizes the importance of respecting consumers’ time and ensuring that they receive the entertainment experience they pay for without undue delays.
For moviegoers, this decision is a welcome change, promising a more predictable and enjoyable viewing experience. It also sets a precedent for other service industries, highlighting the necessity of clear communication and respect for consumers’ time.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, this ruling serves as a reminder that consumer rights and satisfaction should remain at the forefront of service delivery. Multiplex operators and other service providers are now encouraged to review their practices to ensure compliance with this directive and to foster a more consumer-friendly environment.
In conclusion, the Bengaluru consumer court’s decision marks a pivotal moment in upholding consumer rights within the entertainment sector. It reinforces the principle that patrons should receive accurate information about the services they purchase and that their time should be valued and respected.
