Outside snacks will impact business: Multiplex owners

Mumbai: Mumbaikars have pointed out that it is high time that the government regulates the prices of food items and water bottles sold inside multiplexes. They have said that no authority has acted against the violation of MRP law. Multiplex owners, however, said that their business would become non-viable if food stalls were not allowed to make profits.

While multiplex owners stated that they would abide by the Bombay high court order on framing policy for allowing outside snacks, they asserted that there should be guidelines on greasy food items. Prakash Chaphalkar, secretary, Multiplex Association of India, said, “We feel that gravy-based or greasy items should not be allowed inside the multiplex, as they will create a mess. We are hoping that the government forms guidelines which are also multiplex-friendly. However, it is sad to see that while five-star hotels continue to charge way beyond the MRP, multiplexes cannot charge slightly over the price for coke manufactured here.”

Even single-screen owners maintained that the move would impact their business. Ravi Sibbal, manager, PVR Cinema, Juhu, said, “While it is too early to comment, it is definitely going to impact our business big time.”

Cinema owners also stated that the sale of food items had helped revive the business of single screens. Deepak Kudale, president, Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India  said, “The prices of food items inside single screen theatres are not too excessive. However, they provide monetary support to the business as we see less viewers in such cinemas as compared to in multiplexes.”