Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Supreme Court Concerned Over High Multiplex Food Prices
The highest court in India is worried that movie theaters, called multiplexes, are charging way too much for snacks like popcorn and drinks.
A big bucket of popcorn can cost over ₹700, and a soda over ₹400, which is much more than you'd pay outside.
Some people, like a movie director, say these high prices, along with expensive tickets, make it hard for regular families and young people to go to the movies.
They feel like going to the cinema is becoming a luxury instead of fun entertainment for everyone.
He also believes that older, single-screen theaters offer a better movie experience with larger screens and more affordable snacks.
However, some theater owners argue that the fancy atmosphere and better food in multiplexes are worth the higher price for those who can afford it.
They think people should be able to choose what they want to pay for.
The worry is that if prices stay too high, people might stop going to the movies altogether, which could hurt filmmakers, especially those making smaller films.
The Supreme Court is concerned that high food and beverage prices in multiplexes are making cinema outings unaffordable.
Prices for popcorn can exceed ₹700, soft drinks over ₹400, and water bottles up to ₹100 within multiplexes.
Director Teja states these costs, combined with expensive tickets, deter middle-class audiences and youngsters from visiting theaters.
A contrast is drawn between multiplexes aiming for high profits through F&B and single-screen theaters relying on footfall with affordable prices.
A leading exhibitor suggests that premium experiences in multiplexes justify higher costs for some viewers who value comfort and luxury.
- Who
- Supreme Court, moviegoers, multiplex owners, single-screen theatre owners, director Teja, distributor Varadha Reddy, exhibitor Madala Ramakrishna
- What
- Supreme Court expressed concern over excessively high food and beverage prices in multiplexes, potentially making cinema unaffordable and driving audiences away.
- When
- Recently (implied by Supreme Court's concern and discussion of current pricing)
- Where
- India (specifically mentions Telugu states, Mumbai, and the Karnataka ticket-cap model)
- Why
- Skyrocketing prices of food and beverages in multiplexes, combined with high ticket costs, are making cinema viewing unaffordable for a large segment of the audience, impacting theatre viewership and the sustainability of the film industry.
Concerns Over Affordability
Premium Experience Justifies Costs
Pricing of Food and Beverages
Concerns Over Affordability
Prices for items like popcorn, soft drinks, and coffee are excessively high (popcorn over ₹700, soft drinks over ₹400, water up to ₹100), making movie outings unaffordable for middle and lower-class audiences, and even for youngsters. A family can spend nearly ₹1,000 on snacks alone.
Premium Experience Justifies Costs
Multiplexes offer curated food, ambience, and top-class viewing experiences which professionals and businessmen may find worth the cost for comfort and unwinding.
Impact on Viewership and Business Model
Concerns Over Affordability
Exorbitant ticket and food costs are driving moviegoers away, leading to deserted cinema halls and affecting single-screen theaters. Multiplexes chase fewer customers with higher margins from expensive F&B, whereas single screens thrive on affordability and larger footfalls.
Premium Experience Justifies Costs
There is an argument that different business models cater to different segments, and viewers should be able to choose the experience and price that best suits their preferences and budget.
Quality of Experience and Future of Cinema
Concerns Over Affordability
Single screens often offer bigger screens and better sound systems for a more immersive experience. Rising ticket and snack prices are crushing new talent and making cinema, once the poor man's entertainment, a luxury, preventing the emergence of the next generation of filmmakers.
Premium Experience Justifies Costs
This point is not directly addressed by the opposing perspective but implies a market-driven approach where different models cater to different segments.
- Popcorn Price (Multiplex)
- Over ₹500 (plain), can exceed ₹700 (with flavors)
- Soft Drink Price (Multiplex)
- Over ₹400 (compared to ₹50 outside)
- Water Bottle Price (Multiplex)
- Up to ₹100 for 0.5L
- Ticket Prices (Multiplex)
- ₹400 to ₹1,200
- Popcorn Price (Single Screen)
- ₹100
- Family Outing Cost (Estimated Snacks)
- Nearly ₹1,000 (for popcorn, soft drinks, nachos)
- Proposed Ticket Cap (Karnataka Model)
- ₹200
