A petition had required a restriction on food from outdoors at the movie theaters. (Representational)
New Delhi:
At a Supreme Court hearing today on whether people can take food to movie theater halls, the judges doubted one point, “Should we start bringing jalebis to the films?”
The concern turned up because of a petition that required a restriction on food from outside at the cinemas. Cinema halls and multiplexes can regulate film goers from carrying food and beverage from outdoors, the Supreme Court ruled.A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha scrapped a Jammu and Kashmir High Court order that had actually gotten rid of the restriction on the ground that individuals must not be required to consume whatever the movie theaters serve.
“The movie theater hall is not a fitness center that you require healthy food. It is a place of entertainment. A movie theater hall is private property. It is for the owner to choose based on statutory guidelines. Stating that arms are not permitted or that no discrimination on basis of caste or gender can be there, is great. However how can the High Court state that they can bring any food inside movie theater halls?”
The judges stated the High Court had actually violated its brief and asserted that cinemas have already been directed to provide, especially for children, complimentary food and tidy water.
“It is the audience’s right and discretion what theatre he picks to see a film, so the management also deserves to make guidelines,” the Supreme Court said.The arguments
took an amusing turn when the judges tried to discuss their view.
“Suppose someone begins getting jalebis inside the film hall then the theatre’s management can stop them. If the audience wipes his sticky fingers on the seats, then who will spend for the cleaning? Individuals can also bring tandoori chicken. Then there will be complaints of bones left in the hall. That might likewise bother people. Nobody is forcing them to buy popcorn,” said Chief Justice Chandrachud.
“For water we can make a concession that complimentary water be provided at motion picture theatres. However expect they sell nimbu paani for Rs 20, you can’t say I’ll go purchase my nimbu from outdoors and squeeze it in a flask and make it inside the theatre.”
The Chief Justice shared an anecdote from the time he, as Bombay High Court Chief Justice, heard a case related to adult movies revealed after 11 pm on TV.
“The aim was to allow grownups to enjoy these films after the kids went to sleep,” he said, sharing his discussion with a fellow judge.
“I asked the judge whether he had actually ever viewed a movie after 11 pm. He stated never, that is too late,” the Chief Justice smiled. It is children who keep up late, the judges remarked.Today’s case goes back to July 18, 2018 when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court set aside a ban on food and drinks from outside in film theatres. Because of the restriction, individuals are forced to take in whatever is cost the theatre, the High Court had said. Featured Video Of The Day Demonetisation Did Not: Previous Niti Aayog