While hearing a plea against advertisements that delay the start of movies in cinema halls, the Madhya Pradesh High Court remarked that it expects the Central and State governments to engage in meaningful discussions with all stakeholders..A Bench of Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Hirdesh stated,"...this Court expects the authorities to engage in meaningful discussion with all stakeholders because one can not forget that "Time is a valuable Resource " and how the divergent views can be reconciled, is to be seen by the respondents.".A law student from Gwalior filed a petition against multiplex cinemas for exceeding the stipulated time for advertisements, causing inconvenience to moviegoers. She argued that while tickets mention a specific movie start time, screenings begin much later due to prolonged ads, disrupting viewers' schedules.At the outset, a Bench of observed that the issue does not yet appear to be ripe for adjudication before the Court and requires administrative discussion and decision."It is to be discussed and decided at policymaking stage as well as at the stage of administrative decision-making so that multiple stakeholders involved into it, may be consulted and due deliberations/discussions be carried out at appropriate level by the concerned authorities. Thereafter, if required, appropriate decision/guidelines be prepared and passed," the Court held..The Court emphasised that it does not intend to enter the realm of subjectivity at present.Objectivity can only be ensured once all stakeholders have been consulted on the issue and thereafter, the Union government must take a decision in this regard, the Court observed..The plea stated that exhibitors must provide accurate show timings so viewers can plan accordingly. The petitioner also referred to a proposed law in Connecticut, USA mandating disclosure of actual movie start times and suggested similar provisions for India. She submitted a representation to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urging action on the matter..The petitioner thus prayed to frame and implement guidelines ensuring that all movie theatres in India strictly adhere to the advertised showtime on movie tickets.Alternatively, a direction to appropriate authorities to clearly specify two separate timings on movie tickets:- One for the opening of the theatre for entry.- Another for the actual start of the movie show..The Court granted the petitioner liberty to submit a copy of the petition along with a detailed representation to the authorities, objectively outlining the issue.The authority shall objectively discuss and decide the matter in accordance with law, after considering suggestions received from various stakeholders, the Court added..Advocate Yogesh Chaturvedi appeared for the petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General Praveen Kumar Newaskar represented the Central government.Advocate AK Nirankari appeared for the State..Recently, a consumer court in Bengaluru had ordered PVR Cinemas to ensure that movie tickets mention the actual start time of movie shows, rather than mentioning the time when commercial advertisements are screened before the movie starts."In the new era, time is considered as money, each one's time is very precious, no one has right to gain benefit out of others time and money. 25-30 (minutes) is not less to sit idle in the theatre and watch whatever the theatre telecasts. It is very hard for busy people with tight schedule watching unnecessary advertisements. However, they make their own arrangements to get some relaxation with family. (This does) not mean that people have no other work to do," the consumer forum had said..[Read Order]
