Ruchika Garg (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 30, 2020)

Looking forward to a fizzy drink and some fast food with the movie as soon as cinema halls reopen in unlock 3.0? Hold on. You’ll have to ditch the soft drink and fries, and instead opt for healthy stuff when you get back to the theatres now!

Thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, managements of cinemas have not only decided to make food ordering contactless, but also put immunity-boosting food on their menus, ranging from the fancy Turmeric Latte to the traditional kadha and rasam. “We’ve introduced immunity boosters such as Hot Turmeric Pepper Latte, and lots of soups and juices. We will also serve Pepper Rasam and energy bars,” says Dinesh Hariharan of INOX Leisure.

Some have gone a step ahead, the natural way. “We understand that patrons will be looking at health-conscious options when they visit the cinemas, especially during this period. So we have introduced items such as coconut water on our menu,” says Devang Sampat, from Cinepolis India.

But healthy doesn’t mean you won’t be spoilt for choice. Kunal Sawhney, from Carnival Cinemas, says, “We have included kadha, Turmeric Latte, Tulsi tea and many other varieties of immunity-boosting teas in the drinks menu. Spinach, broccoli, fresh citrus fruit platter, yoghurt, and nuts are also being included in the food menu. In the combos that will be on offer, we will add at least one healthy food item from these dishes.”

Interestingly, film buffs, who are looking forward to finally return to cinema halls for the big-screen experience, say that this is the need of the hour. “It would be a very different feeling, for sure, to get back to the theatres after more than four months, and the scare of the virus surely demands that cinema hall menus include such healthy options than just serving junk food that plays havoc with our system,” says Mohit Saraf from Faridabad. And while the movie he'll watch is yet to be decided, Saraf has his beverage choices lined up. “From the immunity-boosting menu, I would love to taste the Turmeric Latte,” he adds.