KOCHI: Following the steady reporting by Express on multiplexes in shopping malls charging exorbitant rates on food and beverages from moviegoers, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) acting chairperson P Mohanadas issued a notice to the departments concerned and the associations of theatre owners for minimising the overpricing.
Even District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla announced a drive to check the malpractice in the multiplexes by asking the Legal Metrology and Health departments to take appropriate steps.
However, the warnings and the serving of notices by departments to multiplexes in the city have failed, as the latter continue overcharging consumers for food and beverages they buy from the theatres.
An 'Express' team which visited PVR Cinemas at Edappally as well as other multiplexes in the city, found the rates of food items served there had almost doubled than the past few years. Pepsi, which is available for Rs100 in the market was priced between Rs155 and Rs 170 in the theatres. Even more shocking was the fact egg puffs and chicken rolls, which can be bought for Rs 15 and Rs 40, respectively, were being sold at Rs 80 and Rs100, respectively.
“Popcorn which is available outside the cinema hall for Rs 20, is priced at Rs 150 in the theatres. Interestingly, the prices of the items are almost triple the dough we spend on tickets.
The theatres' aim is not to screen the movie, but to earn a big profit by selling food and beverages,” said Ratheesh K, a government employee when asked about the overcharging.The Express team also found a 500 ml mineral water bottle was being sold for Rs 60 at the theatre, while its market price was Rs10.
“I have stopped consuming eatables from multiplexes. I used to buy snacks earlier, but the prices continue to sky-rocket. A few months ago, I visited a theatre with my mother. She was experiencing health issues and had to mix ayurvedic medicine with water. However, the personnel at the theatre did not allow us to take our own water inside. Instead, I had to buy a 500 ml water bottle for Rs 60.
Since then, I have stopped buying any eatable from the cinema halls,” said Bimal Pankaj, a playback singer.Meenu I Chandran, an assistant professor at an engineering college, said the theatres were selling products at very high prices. “We can buy the same from outside stores at reasonable rates. So, I don’t bother to buy food from the theatre,” Meenu said.
Corp fails to form spl team
Though the Kochi Corporation had decided to pull up erring movie houses, it failed to constitute a special team of health inspectors to check overpricing in theatres. Even the ruling and opposition unanimously decided to conduct a drive but the Corporation's lackadaisical attitude led to the multiplexes looting the money from people.
“It is true we decided to constitute a drive against multiplexes to check over-pricing. Before launching such a drive, we will call a meeting of all the departments and theatre agencies concerned. If the agencies are not willing to reduce the high prices, the Corporation will have to take its own stand,” said Mayor Soumini Jain. “We haven't received any complaints from people after we issued the direction to departments. place,” said Mohanadas.