Too Many Ads Before Movie? Hyderabad Consumer Court Slaps INR 75,000 Penalty on Theatre
Hyderabad District Consumer Commission has ordered a theatre company to pay INR 75,000 after a moviegoer complained of watching over 20 minutes of ads before 'Kubera' began. The panel called it a deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice.
If you have ever cursed a cinema hall for playing endless commercials while your film waits, this consumer court order will feel very familiar. The Hyderabad District Consumer Commission has directed a movie theatre company to pay a total of INR 75,000 after a 33-year-old moviegoer complained that he had to sit through more than 20 minutes of commercial advertisements before the Dhanush and Nagarjuna-starrer Kubera started. The commission held that the theatre violated government guidelines that cap public service advertisements at two minutes, and ruled that the excess advertising amounted to a deficiency in service as well as an unfair trade practice.
What the Order Says
The order, dated September 11, was passed by commission President Vakkanti Narasimha Rao and member Suma Vala, The Indian Express reported. The panel directed the theatre company to pay INR 20,000 as compensation for the inconvenience caused and INR 5,000 towards litigation costs, taking the amount payable to the complainant to INR 25,000. ‘Very Hard for Busy People To Watch Unnecessary Advertisements’: Bengaluru Man Wins Consumer Case After Claiming PVR Wasted His Time With Ads Before Movie.
A further INR 50,000 has to be deposited in the District Consumer Welfare Fund. The commission said this amount was meant to ensure the theatre stops the unfair or restrictive trade practice and does not repeat it.
Why the Commission Was Unimpressed
Observing that the duration of approved films and public service awareness (PSA) films has now been limited, the commission said the theatre had crossed the line. "The duration of screening of the approved films / PSA (public service awareness) films has now been restricted to 'up to 2 minutes'. However, the first opposite party (movie theatre company) under the management and control of the second opposite party (theatre) has willfully and deliberately violated the mandate by telecasting commercial advertisements..with an intention to derive undue commercial benefit," the order read. Amazon Delivers Faulty Product: Consumer Court Imposes Rs 45,000 Penalty on Amazon for Taking Nearly 18 Months to Issue Refund for Faulty Laptop.
Kubera Show That Started 22 Minutes Late
According to the complainant, he booked two tickets for Kubera, directed by Sekhar Kammula, for the 10.35 pm show on June 20, 2025. He and his friend were in their seats by 10.30 pm, and expected the film to begin in about five minutes as the theatre began playing advertisements and trailers.
Instead, he said, the ads and trailers kept rolling until 10.52 pm, pushing the start of the film back by around 22 minutes. Only after that, he claimed, were the mandatory PSA films screened, followed by the main feature.
Reached Home at 3 AM
The man told the commission that the delay left him reaching home at around 3 am, nearly an hour later than planned, disrupting his rest and personal commitments. He approached the commission through advocate Shaik Ranjith Pasha, seeking compensation.
Theatre Company's Defence
Represented by advocate M Naga Deepak, the theatre company argued that screening advertisements, PSA films, commercials and trailers was part of its constitutionally guaranteed right to carry on trade and business.
It also said PSAs are meant to spread awareness on issues such as education and literacy, agriculture and rural development, welfare of women and weaker sections, and Swachh Bharat, and are screened in prime time when the audience is already seated. The commission, however, held the theatre responsible for the delay caused by commercial advertisements.
What Consumers Can Do
The ruling shows that theatre companies can be penalised when they break the rules on advertisements and PSA films. Aggrieved consumers can also call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
