Initially delayed due to the court case and security issues, Batla House team to finally host film screening for Mumbai's top cops next week
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 23, 2019)

Soon as the final cut of Batla House was ready, director Nikkhil Advani wished to show his creation to the heroes that it was based on — the men in uniform. The filmmaker's wish could not be fulfilled then as the John Abraham starrer was dragged to court, with the prosecution seeking to stall the film's release. Now that the cop drama has made its way to the theatres, and is winning acclaim at that, the actor and Advani decided it was time to keep their word. The duo will host a special screening for the top bosses of the Mumbai Police at Inox theatre in Nariman Point, next week.

"We wanted to host the men in uniform before the release of the film, but due to the pending court case, we weren't able to do it. [It wasn't possible to hold the screening on the release day either] as the security is at its peak in the city on August 15, fearing possible terror threats. Finally, we have locked in on next week. Many top officers will be present along with their families," says Advani, before adding, "This isn't a promotional strategy, but an honest approach of our team to felicitate them."

Abraham, who has brought the story of Delhi Police Special Cell DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav in the film inspired by the 2008 police encounter, says that the event will be an expression of their gratitude to the cops. "I am grateful that they will watch this film. The movie validates their existence in our society, which is otherwise so fragmented. It is important for people to know that these men sacrifice their personal lives to protect us."

Advani adds that the encouraging words of DCP Yadav — who saw the film earlier — was his biggest validation. "He was happy with the way the film has shaped up. His in-laws told me that they learnt of the post-traumatic disorder he suffered, only after watching the film. They also joked that John looked marginally better than their son-in-law."

MUMBAI MIRROR (August 13, 2018)

One of India’s most flamboyant industrialists has joined the campaign to stop multiplexes from fleecing moviegoers. Parvez Damania, the 44-year-old co-founder of the short-lived Damania Airways — one of the first private airlines in the country launched in 1993 that gave national carrier Air India the jitters by offering the domestic flyer four-course meals, free alcohol and unheard of luxuries even on a 25-minute flight — wrote to Mirror to share the difficulty he faced in getting food from outside into a south Mumbai multiplex.

The former aviation tycoon, who said he has been following Mirror’s coverage on the issue, wrote: “[On Saturday] evening, I went with my wife and her sister to Inox Laserplex CR2, Nariman Point, for a 5.15 pm show. I deliberately carried two packets of potato chips bought for Rs 10 from outside.

I was stopped at the security at 5.10 pm and told that I could not carry the Chips inside, as I was not permitted to. I requested them to say it to my cellphone camera, which they avoided. Still, I tried to record whatever I could. A security officer called Mr Shubham said I needed to speak to the manager. As the movie had already started, I left the chips with the security and went in.

During the interval, I rushed back to Mr Shubham and told him I wanted to see the manager. Mr Shubham made me meet guest relations manager Ms Mishkat. I was very calm and told her that they were violating my rights and according to Section 121 of the Maharashtra Cinema Rules, 1966, there was no prohibition on taking food in multiplexes. I also informed her that I would send her company a legal notice first thing on Monday morning.

The two bags of chips were promptly returned to me, which I took into movie hall screen 4 and ate. The chips never tasted this good.”

A glass of soft drink for Rs 240, a bucket of regular popcorn for Rs 240, and two samosas for Rs 95. Welcome to fleeceland

Days after a Mirror test drive revealed that multiplexes were violating a govt rule by not allowing people to bring food from outside, we highlight the massive overpricing of food items at the theatres
MUMBAI MIRROR (August 13, 2018)


Days 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 above), 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, Borivali: Popcorn costlier than cooked food
A 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 with French fries was 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.

AUG 11, Noon
TICKET PRICE: Rs 150
POPCORN AND SAMOSA: Rs 350
COST OUTSIDE: LESS THAN Rs 100


R Odeon Mall, Ghatkopar East: Slashed by ‘big margin’, yet not as afordable
A 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.”

Aug 11, 5.25 PM
TICKET PRICE: Rs 225
POPCORN AND SOFT DRINK: Rs 330
COST OUTSIDE: Rs 120
Prices of other items: Packet of banana chips: Rs 60; veg puff: Rs 70; veg burger: Rs 130, 2 samosas: Rs 80; French fries: Rs 140; veg sandwich: Rs 130


INOX CR2 Mall, Nariman Point: Salty sandwich, costliest water 
Since 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.

Aug 11, 10.45 PM
TICKET PRICE: Rs 430
WATER BOTTLE, POPCORN AND SANDWICH: Rs 550
COST OUTSIDE 170

Metro INOX, Marine Lines: Where chaat is six times costlier
During the interval, this reporter bought bhel puri, 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.

Aug 11, 7.45 PM
TICKET PRICE: Rs 350
BHEL PURI, 2 SAMOSAS AND POPCORN: Rs 530
COST OUTSIDE: Rs 115


PVR Phoenix, Lower Parel
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.