Cinema Ticket Prices and Food Bans: Legal Limits in India

In 2025, Indian multiplexes can legally charge high ticket prices and ban outside food, but courts are cracking down on unfair snack pricing and denying free water, protecting consumer rights under fair trade laws. Movie theatres in India blend entertainment with commerce, but rising costs for tickets and snacks have sparked debates. This piece analyses the legal framework, drawing from Supreme Court rulings and state rules. It starts with ticket pricing, then covers food bans, and ends with emerging consumer protections. The goal is to clarify what's allowed and where change is coming.

Cinemas are private businesses, so no national law caps ticket prices. Owners set rates based on demand, from ₹120 for morning shows in single-screen halls to ₹600+ for premium seats during big releases. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) adds the main federal layer: 18% on tickets up to ₹100, and 28% above that. This explains why base prices often hover at ₹99 to minimise tax. States add their own rules under the Cinematograph Acts as for instance,  Tamil Nadu caps base fares at ₹150 (plus taxes), a long-standing limit upheld by courts. In 2025, Karnataka pushed further by amending its Cinemas (Regulation) Rules to cap all tickets at ₹200 (excluding GST), covering all formats and languages. Multiplex owners challenged this in court, and the Karnataka High Court stayed the cap in September 2025, restoring dynamic pricing. States like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh permit "dynamic pricing" for weekends or peak periods, which courts have deemed reasonable. The Supreme Court showed frustration in November 2025 during a related hearing, warning that unchecked price hikes could empty halls. Yet, this was commentary, not a ruling, so high prices remain legal.

These state experiments test the balance between business freedom (under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution) and public access to culture. Courts lean toward flexibility, but rising complaints may force national guidelines soon. Banning outside food is fully legal. In Nachiketa Mor v. Punjab National Bank (Civil Appeal No. 77 of 2023, Supreme Court of India, January 3, 2023), the Court overturned a High Court order favoring a moviegoer. The petitioner claimed the ban violated his "right to choice" under Article 21. The bench, led by Justice Hima Kohli, rejected this, ruling that theatres are private spaces. Owners can enforce hygiene and safety rules, like bag checks or entry denial, similar to a restaurant's dress code. The judgment noted that halls aren't "gyms" for personal snacks, emphasising the voluntary entry terms.

The 2025-standing ruling guides consumer courts; for instance, the Ernakulam District Consumer Commission upheld PVR's ban in September 2025. The decision prioritises property rights over implied consumer freedoms, but it leaves room for "reasonableness". Bans must not be arbitrary; for instance, allowing medical needs like diabetic food or baby formula on a case-by-case basis, as noted in later Kerala High Court orders. High snack costs (₹100 for 200ml water, ₹360+ for popcorn) draw the most heat. The same 2025 Supreme Court bench referred to it as "looting", given that the food ban leaves no options. Consumer forums in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Delhi have ruled:

1. Provide free drinking water (no ₹50-₹100 charges).

2. Avoid forcing unadvertised combo deals (ticket + food).

3. Offer some low-cost snacks.

Violations trigger easy wins at District Consumer Commissions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Theatres argue high prices cover operations, but courts counter that monopolies on-site food justify oversight, aligning with anti-profiteering under GST laws. High ticket and food bans are lawful, but snack gouging isn't. For moviegoers: Choose budget theatres, utilise online deals, and file complaints for any violations. As courts evolve, expect a more balanced approach, perhaps with national caps if empty seats become a reality.

Credits

I am Deeksha S, a first-year BBA LL.B. (Hons.) student at Rashtriya Raksha University, School of Criminal Law and Military Law. A published author of three books, I am passionate about military law and the intersection of legal principles with national security. Driven by the motto “Death before Dishonour, Service before Self, India First.” I aspire to contribute meaningfully to India’s legal and defence ecosystem.