HYDERABAD: Customers who had gone to PVR Cinemas at Central Mall, Punjagutta, to catch their favourite movie were in for a rude shock on Friday. Even before the movies were halfway through, the power went out, at around 9 pm. Hundreds of people were left stranded in the dark and heat for nearly two hours.
Their distressing movie experience did not end there. Hundreds of them were left unattended even as the management went about looking for a solution pacifying angry customers. Software engineer Ashok had booked tickets for the first-day show of Sanju over the internet, for the 7.30 pm show.
“They did not make an announcement or try and evacuate older people or children. It initially started with ‘Please wait for 10 minutes’. Now it is close to one hour and we are still in the dark,” he said. Many people called on the management to refund their money. Initially, when pressed for refunds the management allegedly stalled for time, Ashok said. However, after nearly 40 minutes, they decided to refund the money. However, the management soon ran out of cash.
Two police officials intervened and defused the escalating tension. Meanwhile, outside the PVR lobby gate, customers confronted Satish, the manager of PVR Cinemas. He said, “Customers who got their tickets through cash, will be immediately refunded at the box office on the ground floor. Those who got their tickets over the Internet will be refunded within 24-48 hours. As of now, all further shows stands cancelled.”