PVR Cinemas is notorious for its lengthy pre-movie Ads. Their shows start late invariably, putting lakhs of their customers to inconvenience.
Recently, a Bengaluru resident moved a consumer court, demanding compensation for delays. He has been awarded a compensation of Rs 20,000. Including punitive damages, the fine amount comes to Rs 1 lakh.
While the news has grabbed headlines, the laws are too weak in India to effect a permanent change in the behaviour of multiplexes that don't start the show in time. The penalties imposed on manufacturers and service providers in India are too low to induce fear in the offender. Also, most consumers never have the patience and financial wherewithal to approach consumer courts. Justice in some instances is possible because one or two customers move the court. If one hundred or one thousand customers move the court, we all know what happens in India.
