The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has penalized PVR Cinemas, Orion Mall, and PVR Inox Ltd. for screening advertisements beyond the scheduled showtime, calling it an “unfair trade practice.”
The commission, led by President M Shobha and members K Anita Shivakumar and Suma Anil Kumar, directed PVR to pay ₹1 lakh as punitive damages to the Consumer Welfare Fund. Additionally, the company has been ordered to compensate the complainant, advocate Abhishek M.R., with ₹20,000 for mental distress and inconvenience, along with ₹8,000 for litigation costs. The ruling was issued on February 15.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Abhishek, who had booked tickets for Sam Bahadur, starring Vicky Kaushal, at a PVR multiplex in Orion Mall on December 26, 2023. The film, scheduled to start at 4:05 PM, was delayed by 23 minutes due to extended advertisements and trailers, ultimately beginning at 4:30 PM. The complainant argued that the delay caused him to miss work.
In its defense, PVR claimed that it is legally required to screen public service announcements (PSAs). However, the commission found that of the 17 ads played, only one was a PSA, whereas guidelines allow a maximum of 10 minutes for such content. The commission rejected PVR’s argument that recording the ads was illegal, stating that the complainant had done so only as evidence to support his case.
The ruling emphasized that excessive advertisements before a film violate consumer rights, stating, “No one has the right to gain from others’ time and money. Watching movies should provide relaxation, not frustration.” It also instructed PVR Cinemas and PVR Inox Ltd. to comply with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s guidelines on the matter.