Case against Cinepolis for delaying screening of movie

Hyderabad: A multiplex of theatre chain Cinepolis at Malkajgiri in Hyderabad has been slapped with a case for delaying the screening of a movie. The case followed a complaint by a moviegoer to the Rachakonda police.

According to complainant S Umesh Kumar, he had been to Cinepolis to watch Good Newwz on January 1 and the showtime mentioned on the ticket was 1.25 pm. However, Kumar said, the theatre kept showing advertisements and started the film only at 1.38 pm.

Kumar told Newsmeter, "As there was a delay of 13 minutes, I immediately filed a complaint through HAWK EYE app and also gave a written a complaint on January 3. As it is a non-cognisable case, the Malkajgiri police forwarded it to the court for permission. They registered a case on Wednesday." He said the case against Cinepolis has been registered for violating sections 9A(1),10 2(b) of the Telangana Cinema Regulation Act 1955.

Kumar added, "Time is precious. How can they waste our time by delaying the showtime? And not starting a movie on time is an unfair trade practice and anyone who faces such delays should lodge a complaint against the theatre. They can file a complaint through the HAWK EYE app and can also give a written complaint to the nearest police station."

Vijay Gopal, founder of Anti-Corruption Forum praised Kumar for the initiative. "I am happy that people are realising their rights and not being silent anymore as earlier. I encourage people to call 100, file a complaint if any theatre or multiplex is found flouting the rules, as the violation of the Cinema Regulation Act will be cognizable and the action will be immediately taken by registering an FIR. Good job by the petitioner."

In October 2019, Cinepolis in Kukatpally was booked after a citizen filed a complaint about the delayed screening of a film. Earlier this month, a similar complaint was filed against PVR Cinemas in Inorbit Mall in Madhapur for starting a movie late by 12 minutes.