Eros, located in Grade II-A heritage building at Churchgate, shut down in 2017 because of poor ticket sales
Yogesh Naik (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 29, 2018)

Eros, one of Mumbai’s first single screens and an integral part of the city’s Bollywood history, could soon reopen in a new avatar with a smaller theatre on its first floor and a sprawling departmental store on the ground.

Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee is looking at a proposal by the Cambata family, which owns the space, to turn the theatre’s lobby and stall section into a department store and the balcony into a 300-seat theatre.

Eros, which is located in Grade II-A heritage Cambata building on the junction of Maharshi Karve Road and Jamshetji Tata Road at Churchgate, shut down in 2017 because of poor ticket sales in the face of competition from multi-screen theatres.

A few months later, the building was attached by the collector upon the orders of the labour commissioner following the Cambatas inability to clear the dues of the employees of Cambata Aviation, the family’s ground handling business at the Mumbai international airport.

The redevelopment plan is parallely being reviewed by the state governnment’s Urban Development Department and the BMC’s Building Proposals Department. The project will require multiple permissions as Cambata building is part of Mumbai’s World Heritage Site of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble and it is located in the Oval sub-precinct of the Fort precinct.

The proposal seeks change of user and alterations within the part of the building that housed the cinema hall. It promises that the art-deco elements in the theatre’s lobby and the atrium will be retained and rejuvenated.

In a statement released on Friday, Metro Realty, which has won the mandate to redevelop the property, said the structure has deteriorated considerably in the past 80 years and it will be a challenge to restore it to its past glory. “We have the experience of rejuvenating Metro Cinema and we intend to do the same here,” said Atul Gupta, director, Metro Realty.

The Cambata building has several tenants, including a bank and a coffee shop, and the theatre is surrounded by commercial establishments on all sides. Once the redevelopment is complete, the current entrance to the theatre will become the entrance to the departmental store, while the access to the cinema hall will be from the east façade of the building.

Eros Cinema with a capacity to seat 1204 people, opened in 1938. The two wings of this art deco building meet up in a central block. The foyer is in white and black marble with touches of gold. Marble staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor.

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.

Of the five big multiplexes, only two allowed Mirror reporters to bring food from outside.
By Team Mumbai Mirror (August 8, 2018)

MIRROR TEST DRIVE: Multiplexes across the city hide behind the ‘lack of clarity’ excuse to defy the govt order that allows moviegoers to carry food from outside.

Almost a month after the state government clarified that beginning August 1, moviegoers were free to carry food to multiplexes and there should be no difference in the MRP of food items sold outside and inside multiplexes, there is still no clarity, resulting in each multiplex in the city framing its own rules on the matter.

This was revealed during a test drive conducted by this newspaper over the past two days, during which three of the city’s biggest multiplexes did not allow Mirror reporters to carry food to the cinema halls.

This, after Ravindra Chavan, minister of state for food and civil supplies, told the legislative assembly during the recently concluded monsoon session that the multiplex owners have been instructed to allow outside food on their premises. The minister further said the multiplexes have also been instructed to not charge exorbitant amount of money for food items.

Chavan’s statement came in the wake of the Bombay High Court pulling up the state government and the multiplexes based on a public interest litigation that people were forced to pay for food items as per the rates fixed by the multiplexes. Several multiplexes in Mumbai charge around Rs 300 for a bucket of popcorns, nearly Rs 100 for a cup of tea, and around Rs 200 for two pieces of sandwich when the same items are available for less than half the rate outside.

The Mirror test drive that covered Sterling Cineplex at Fort, Metro Inox Cinemas at Marine Lines, Regal Cinema at Colaba, PVR Odeon at Ghatkopar, and Cinemax at Borivali revealed the patrons continued to be at the mercy of the multiplex owners.

At Sterling, our reporters were told to tuck in the chips and biscuits inside lunchboxes as the multiplex only allowed “ghar ka khaana” inside. At Metro, we were told that the food we had bought cannot be carried inside the theatre; we were given a choice of consuming it within the confines of the lobby. At PVR Odeon, the manager offered to keep our food in the refrigerator and “warm it for free” once the show got over.

At Cinemax in Borivali, there was a board at the entrance saying outside food will not be allowed but there was no problem. The guards checking our bags stuffed with a cheeseburger and fries didn’t even bat an eyelid.

They told us outside food has been allowed at the multiplex for the past three days; it helped that the employees’ union at this multiplex is affiliated to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which is at the forefront of the fight against multiplexes overcharging the patrons.

Similarly, there was no problem at Regal, where our reporter was told that the security has been instructed to allow patrons to bring food from outside.

Lekhraj Kundhaliya, the food and beverages manager at Sterling Cineplex, told this newspaper that they started allowing “homemade food” since July 15. “Even when people have brought outside food packed in lunchboxes, we have allowed (them inside). There’s a lot of confusion regarding the matter so every multiplex’s management is free to interpret the government instructions as per its convenience,” Kundhaliya said.

MNS THREATENS ACTION
The MNS said it will soon conduct its own test drive and “teach a lesson” to those multiplexes that are refusing to fall in line. “The food and civil supplies minister has said there is no need for a special Government Resolution in this matter. Many multiplexes are still not allowing moviegoers to bring food from outside and continue to charge exorbitant prices for food items sold inside. We will conduct a check and take action MNS-style,” senior MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said.

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PVR Odeon, Ghatkopar
‘We’ll keep the food in our fridge’
MONDAY 10.35 PM SHOW

As we were making our way inside, we were warned that the boxes containing sandwiches will not be allowed. Sure enough, the guards at the first floor told us we’ll have to leave the food outside. When we protested and told the guards about the government instruction, they called up the multiplex manager, who identified himself as Tarun Devnani. “There’s still no clarity,” Devnani claimed, “we have slashed the prices of food items at our multiplex but we are not allowing outside food till there is complete clarity on the matter.” He then offered to keep the sandwiches in the refrigerator, and as a bonus, warm those once the show got over.

Food prices inside the multiplex: Popcorn buckets: Rs 150, Rs 170, Rs 250, nachos: Rs 220, cold coffee: Rs 120, tea and coffee (hot): Rs 100 per cup, cold beverages (large cup): Rs 150. —Yogesh Naik


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Regal Cinema, Colaba
‘A Regal experience’
TUESDAY 7 PM SHOW

While rummaging through our bag as part of the security check, the guards did not seem to even notice the bags of chips and biscuits. When we pointed out to the outside food we were carrying, a theatre official said it was no problem at all.

“Following the government instructions, we have told all our guards to not stop anyone carrying outside food. We also took down the signs where it said outside eatables not allowed,” the theatre official said.

Regal Cinema is also one of the most reasonable when it comes to in-house pricing of food times: A bucket of popcorns: Rs 70, sandwich: Rs 70, samosa: Rs 60, a packet of chips for Rs 50, coffee: Rs 40. —Mitaksh Jain


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Sterling Cineplex, Fort
‘Pack your chips in a lunchbox’
TUESDAY 4.10 PM SHOW

The guard at the entrance wouldn’t let us in because we were carrying packets of chips and biscuits. “Not allowed,” he said. When he didn’t budge, we demanded to speak to his supervisor, after which three men trooped out. When we told them about the government clarification issued last month that it was “illegal” for multiplexes to now allow outside food, one of them said there was “no clarity on the matter”. He hastily added that only “ghar ka khaana” was allowed inside the movie halls.

We asked him whether we will be stopped if we simply put our chips and biscuits in a tiffin box and he said we can do that. “We don’t check tiffin boxes and patrons can bring in whatever they want, provided it is packed in lunchboxes. We don’t allow packaged food,” he said.

Food prices inside the multiplex: Sterling Cineplex has leased out its ground floor to various food chains and outlets. —Linah Baliga and Payal Gwalani


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Cinemax, Borivali 
‘Outside food is welcome here’
MONDAY 10.50 PM SHOW

We were allowed to bring in food and a water bottle from outside, even though there’s a board at the entrance saying it’s banned. Our bags were checked at the entrance, and the security officials did not even mention anything about outside food not allowed in the multiplex. When we asked the multiplex officials about the policy regarding outside food, one of them said it is being allowed for the past three days.

The multiplex has an employees’ union which is affiliated to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which is at the forefront of the fight against multiplexes charging exorbitantly for food and beverages.

Food prices inside the multiplex: Popcorn buckets: Rs 220, Rs 240, Rs 269, water bottles: Rs 40 and Rs 60, tea (small cup): Rs 70, other food items in the range of Rs 140 to Rs 230. —Rahi Gaikwad


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Metro Inox Cinemas, Marine Lines
‘Eat in the lobby, not inside the halls’
TUESDAY 11.10 PM SHOW

Wwere not allowed to bring in food from outside. We told the multiplex officials that the state government has clearly said patrons must be allowed to bring in food to multiplexes, an official politely told us to consume the food in the lobby.

“We have been told a court hearing on the matter is scheduled on August 8. Until we get complete clarity on the matter, we request our patrons to not bring food from outside,” the Metro Inox official said.

Food prices inside the multiplex: Popcorn bucket: Rs 220, sandwich: Rs 120 onwards, a samosa packet: Rs 80, coffee: Rs 90 for a small cup. —Lata Mishra