soft drink

Multiplex owners are misleading moviegoers: Ravindra Chavan Ravindra Chavan, minister of state for food and civil supplies said that there was “no ambiguity” and multiplexes cannot prevent anyone from bringing food from outside.

Popcorn costlier than cooked food

French fries

Outside food at multiplexes: Confusion prevails Now showing: Confusion. Of the five big multiplexes, only two allowed Mirror reporters to bring food from outside.

Slashed by ‘big margin’, yet not as afordable

Salty sandwich, costliest water







Where chaat is six times costlier

bhel

Maharashtra government's decision to allow outside food in multiplexes will make movie tickets costlier: Crisil The rating agency estimates that multiplexes in the state will be required to increase ticket prices by Rs 70 to offset the impact on the food and beverages (F&B) division, while observing that such a sharp hike may not go well with movie-goers.

A glass offor Rs 240, a bucket of regular popcorn for Rs 240, and two samosas for Rs 95. Welcome to fleecelandDays after this paper exposed how multiplexes are hiding behind the lack-of-clarity excuse to bar moviegoers from carrying food inside (‘Now showing: Confusion’, August 8), we carried out another test drive, this time on the prices of food and beverages. The results will leave you seething.At a Lower Parel multiplex (see right), items as basic as a regular tub of popcorn and a glass of soft drink were priced over 500 per cent more than what they cost outside a cinema theatre — more than the price of the movie ticket itself.And the overpriced food did little to enhance the movie-going experience, as showed by a Borivali theatre. A Ghatkopar East multiplex claimed to have reduced prices “by a big margin” since the debate over unaffordable food began raging, but catching a movie there could still burn a hole in patrons’ pockets.The test drive came days after the state government, after announcing during the monsoon session of the legislature that moviegoers were free to carry food into multiplexes from August 1, shot itself in the foot by telling the Bombay High Court — which is hearing a public interest litigation on the matter — that such a move could pose a security risk. The HC demanded an explanation from the state government on that claim.“What security concern can be caused by food inside theatres? People are not prohibited from carrying food to any other public place besides cinema halls. If people can be permitted to carry home food inside the aircraft then why not to theatres?” the bench had sought to know.Following the state government’s U-turn on the issue, Ravindra Chavan, minister of state for food and civil supplies, clarified with Mirror last week that there was “no ambiguity” and multiplexes cannot prevent anyone from bringing food from outside.Carnival Cinemas, BorivaliA large tub of popcorn (Rs 260) was the most expensive item at the food counter, steeper than cooked dishes such as chicken momos and rolls. The cheapest popcorn, that too hot and fresh out of the machine, that this reporter has come across comes in a small packet at Churchgate station for Rs 7. The caramel popcorn at the theatre did not skimp on caramel, but the cheese popcorn was almost bland, with no clear taste of cheese coming through.A large cup (650 ml) of a soft drink cost Rs 170, which can easily come under Rs 50 outside.In the fast food category, cheesy nachos with Mexican salsa and topped withwas the costliest at Rs 230. Both the quantity and the taste were satisfactory. A plate of samosa, which cost Rs 90, was fresh and tasty, but there are better samosas for far less outside.The experience was partially worth the cost, considering that food and tickets for two can set your back by Rs 1,000. This was the same multiplex where the reporter was allowed to carry food in during the first test drive, but a Mirror staffer was stopped on Saturday.R Odeon Mall, Ghatkopar EastA large cup (900 ml) of soft drink came for Rs 150. For a large tub of caramel and cheese popcorn, one will have to shell out another Rs 180. Outside, one has to pay only Rs 50 for beverage and Rs 60-70 for popcorn. Neither of them was worth the price. The carbonated drink tastes the same anywhere, and although the popcorn was fresh, one can get the same outside for half the price. Tarun Devnani, duty manager of the multiplex, said they reduced prices “by a big margin” recently. The mega tub (170 gm) of plain popcorn, which earlier cost Rs 330, is now around Rs 200 on weekdays, and Rs 250 on weekends and after 6 pm. “They become even cheaper during ‘happy hours’. We also have the facility of booking snacks online, which has special combos and offers.”INOX CR2 Mall, Nariman PointSince this reporter went for the last show of the day, samosas and burgers were not available. There was a single samosa on display, but the staff was candid and kind enough to admit that it had gone bad. The last vada pav (Rs 140) was up for grabs, but customers who had purchased one before didn’t like it. From the little variety, a bottle of water (Rs 60 — the most expensive water on offer), a tub of caramel popcorn (Rs 280) and a paneer sandwich (Rs 210) was the safest bet. The same come at Rs 20 for a water bottle, Rs 100 for popcorn, and Rs 50 for a sandwich outside. The popcorn was good but the price left a bad taste in the mouth. The salty sandwich was nothing to write about. If these items were an indication of what is offered through the day, skip the food.Metro INOX, Marine LinesDuring the interval, this reporter boughtpuri, which cost Rs 150. Outside the theatre, the same can be bought for just Rs 25. A small tub of sukha bhel was also priced at Rs 150, 10 times more than what it costs elsewhere. In fact, all chaat items were overpriced, ranging from Rs 150-200.A plate of two samosas — rather bland given the steep price — cost Rs 100, twice the price at which it’s available outside. A large turn of cheese popcorn went for Rs 280, in contrast to Rs 40 outside. That translates to a hike of 500 per cent. This reporter, too, ended up paying more for food items than the ticket, and none of it made it a worthwhile movie-going experience.A no-frills tub of regular popcorn (55 gm) costs Rs 240. One can buy the same outside for just Rs 40. That’s a 500 per cent hike, and this was just plain salted popcorn. A large cheese caramel popcorn costs Rs 500.A glass of soft drink (600 ml) was charged at Rs 240. A 500 ml bottle of the same costs Rs 40 outside. For the price this correspondent paid, he could have bought 3 litres of the same soft drink outside. Again, this is a 500 per cent hike.Then came the humble samosa. A plate of two samosas cost Rs 95; outside the mall, one can get the same for Rs 40 a plate. The taste was no different from what one gets outside. Together, the soft drink, samosas and popcorn cost more than the ticket itself. The food is not worth the price. Given a choice, take your own chow.