Hyderabad Consumer Commission Fines Theatre Rs 75,000 Over 22-Minute Film Delay
Consumer commission penalises theatre over prolonged commercial ads before film.
A Hyderabad consumer commission has directed a cineplex to pay Rs 75,000 after finding that advertisements and promotional content delayed the screening of a movie by around 22 minutes. The case relates to June 20, 2025, when a 33-year-old man purchased two tickets for the 10:35 pm show of Dhanush and Nagarjuna-starrer Kuberaa. According to his complaint, he and his friend were seated by around 10:30 pm, but the movie did not begin until approximately 10:52 pm because advertisements and trailers continued to play.
The complainant told the commission that the delay disrupted his plans and resulted in him reaching home at around 3 am, roughly an hour later than he had expected. He argued that the prolonged screening of advertisements before the film amounted to a deficiency in service. The Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission considered the complaint and, in its final order dated September 11, 2026, held that the theatre's conduct amounted to an unfair trade practice.
During the proceedings, the theatre company defended the screening of advertisements, trailers and public service announcements as part of its business operations. It also argued that public service content was intended to serve a wider public-interest purpose. However, the commission rejected the defence in the circumstances of the case and focused on the delay caused by the commercial advertisements and promotional material that were screened before the movie.
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The commission also referred to government guidelines concerning the screening of approved public service awareness films. According to the order, such public service films are restricted to a duration of up to two minutes. The ruling did not establish that cinemas are prohibited from showing advertisements before films; instead, it held the theatre responsible for the delay caused by the commercial content in the circumstances presented before the commission.
The Rs 75,000 payment ordered by the commission will be divided among three components. The complainant will receive Rs 20,000 as compensation for the inconvenience caused, while Rs 5,000 will cover litigation costs. The remaining Rs 50,000 has been ordered to be deposited with the District Consumer Welfare Fund as punitive damages, with the commission intending the penalty to discourage the theatre from repeating the practice.
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