In a decisive move to uphold consumer rights, the Bengaluru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed PVR INOX to pay ₹1 lakh in punitive damages for delaying a movie screening by playing 25 minutes of advertisements beyond the scheduled showtime. The landmark verdict, pronounced on February 15, 2025, emphasizes the need for cinema chains to prioritize patrons’ time and transparency in ticketing.
Background
The dispute arose when Bengaluru resident Abhishek MR booked three tickets via BookMyShow for the movie Sam Bahadur at PVR Cinemas, Orion Mall, on December 26, 2023. The ticket stated a 4:05 PM showtime, with the film’s runtime listed as 2 hours 25 minutes. However, the movie began only at 4:30 PM after prolonged advertisements and trailers, causing Abhishek to miss post-movie commitments.
“Time is considered money; no entity has the right to profit from others’ time unfairly,” the bench noted, stressing the need for ethical trade practices.
Court Proceedings
Abhishek alleged “deficiency of service” and “unfair trade practice” under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, seeking ₹65,000 in compensation. PVR INOX defended its actions, citing mandatory Public Service Announcements (PSAs) under government guidelines. However, the court observed that out of 25 minutes of pre-show content, only 2 minutes were PSAs, while the rest were commercial ads benefiting the theater financially.
Read Also:- Consumer Court Imposes Rs 69,000 Fine on Aditya Birla Health Insurance for Unjustified Claim Denial
The cinema chain also contested Abhishek’s video recording of the ads as a copyright violation. The commission dismissed this, stating:
“Recording advertisements to substantiate a grievance does not breach anti-piracy laws, as no movie content was filmed.”
BookMyShow, named as OP-2, was absolved of liability since its role was limited to ticket booking.
The three-member bench, comprising President M. Shobha and members K. Anita Shivakumar and Suma Anil Kumar, ruled:
- Transparency in Showtimes: PVR INOX must display the actual movie start time on tickets, excluding ad durations.
- Compensation: ₹20,000 for mental distress and ₹8,000 for litigation costs awarded to Abhishek.
- Punitive Action: ₹1 lakh penalty under Section 39(1)(g) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, to be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid Account.
- Compliance Deadline: Payments must be made within 30 days, failing which 10% annual interest applies.
Read Also:- Supreme Court Declares Carpentry a Skilled Profession: Compensation Enhanced for Carpenter in Accident Case
The judgment sets a precedent for theaters to adhere to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s guidelines, which limit PSAs to 10 minutes pre-show. Commercial ads exceeding this duration infringe on consumers’ rights.
“Viewers schedule their day around showtimes. Delays for profit violate trust,” the order stated, urging theaters to balance revenue goals with ethical practices.