Movie hall owners may prohibit moviegoers from bringing food from outside into the theatre - SC

According to the Supreme Court, movie hall owners may prohibit moviegoers from bringing food and drink from outside into the theatre.

The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha ruled that cinema halls are private property and the owner has the right to impose any terms and conditions that he deems appropriate as long as they do not violate public safety or interest.

It is a matter of commercial decision for the theatre owner when a viewer enters a movie hall and adheres to their rules, the Court said.

Therefore, the Court annulled a directive of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court prohibiting multiplexes and cinemas from preventing moviegoers from bringing their food and beverages into the theatres.

The bench was hearing a batch of appeals filed by theatre owners and the Multiplex Association of India challenged a High Court verdict from 2018. According to the High Court, moviegoers can carry their food and water bottles into cinema halls since Jammu and Kashmir guidelines do not prohibit them from doing so.

Advocate KV Viswanathan submitted that the premises of cinema halls are not public property, and admission to such halls should be reserved by the cinema hall owner. In addition, he states that no one is obligated to purchase food. As regards water, theatres ensure that hygienic water is made available. 

Originally, the petitioner argued that cinema tickets that are issued by the hall represent a contract with moviegoers, who cannot be prohibited from getting eatables inside the hall.

After considering the submissions, the Court ruled the fundamental issue at hand was the trade and business of cinema halls.

According to the top court, the government's rules do not prohibit food from being brought into cinemas from outside. Despite this, cinema hall owners have the right to lay down terms and conditions to carry on their trade and occupation.