Consumer Commission directs PVR to pay over 22-minute delay in movie screening due to ads
PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX were directed to pay Rs 20,000 compensation, Rs 5,000 litigation costs and Rs 50,000 in punitive damages over the delayed screening
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Published: Oct 3, 2026 7:34 PM | 2 min read
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- The Hyderabad consumer commission ordered PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX to pay compensation for delaying the start of the film "Kubera" by approximately 22 minutes due to excessive advertisements and trailers.
- The complaint was filed by advocate Chanda Athish Kumar, who claimed the delay violated guidelines set by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and caused him inconvenience.
- PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX denied the allegations, asserting that screening advertisements was within their business rights; however, the commission found this practice constituted a deficiency in service and unfair trade.
- The commission imposed a total compensation of Rs 25,000, including punitive damages of Rs 50,000, and ordered the companies to cease the practice, with a 45-day compliance deadline.
A Hyderabad consumer commission has directed PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX to pay compensation after finding that advertisements and movie trailers delayed the start of a screening of Kubera by around 22 minutes.
The complaint was filed by Hyderabad-based advocate Chanda Athish Kumar, who had purchased two tickets for the Telugu film for a 10:35 PM show on June 20, 2025. Although he and his friend took their seats around 10:30 PM, advertisements and trailers continued until 10:52 PM, delaying the start of the film.
Kumar argued that the screening went beyond the limits set out in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting's November 30, 2023 Office Memorandum. He said the delay disrupted his plans and caused additional inconvenience.
PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX denied the allegations, arguing that screening advertisements, public service announcements and trailers was part of their business rights and that there was no law prohibiting the practice.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Hyderabad, however, held that the continued screening of commercial advertisements beyond the scheduled start time amounted to deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice. It noted that the companies had not produced sufficient evidence to dispute the delay.
The commission directed PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX to jointly pay Rs 20,000 in compensation and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs. It also imposed Rs 50,000 in punitive damages, to be deposited with the District Consumer Welfare Fund, and directed the companies to discontinue the practice.
PVR Cinemas and PVR INOX have been given 45 days to comply, failing which 9% annual interest will apply to the compensation amount from the date of default.
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