The Supreme Court of India has slammed multiplexes for charging excessively high prices for food and beverages, warning that such practices could drive audiences away from theatres. During a hearing on Karnataka’s decision to cap movie ticket prices at ₹200, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said, “You charge ₹100 for a water bottle, ₹700 for coffee,  this should be fixed.”

The case involves the Multiplex Association of India challenging the Karnataka government’s move to make movie tickets more affordable. The High Court had earlier supported the state’s decision but allowed some conditions like maintaining detailed sales records, tracking refunds, and verifying accounts regularly. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing multiplex owners, argued that pricing is a matter of choice, saying, “You can’t fix coffee prices at the Taj.” But Justice Nath replied that movie-going should be made reasonable; otherwise, “cinema halls will be empty.”

This debate reflects a larger problem. Many people feel priced out of watching movies in theatres. A 2023 survey by the Confederation of Indian Industry found that an average multiplex visit costs around ₹1,800 per person, which has caused a 15% drop in visitors since the pandemic.

Even filmmakers agree that costs are out of control. Karan Johar once said that a family of four spends nearly ₹10,000 on a movie outing. Trade experts also believe that such pricing is pushing people toward streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar. With the Supreme Court now questioning these practices, there may soon be rules to control pricing, giving movie lovers hope that watching films in theatres might once again become an affordable and enjoyable experience.

For years, moviegoers have complained about the steep rates of snacks and drinks in cinema halls, but little has changed. Going to the movies, once a simple and affordable outing, has now become very costly. A small tub of popcorn can cost over ₹500,  or more than ₹700 if it’s caramel or cheese-flavored. A soft drink priced at ₹50 outside sells for around ₹400 inside theatres, and even a half-litre water bottle costs ₹100. When ticket prices already range from ₹400 to ₹1,200, these extra expenses take away much of the joy of watching a film on the big screen.