Cinema Hall Rules: Court Bans Children Under 16 from Late-Night Movie Screenings

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Telangana High Court Restricts Children Below 16 from Late-Night and Early Morning Shows

The Telangana High Court has issued a directive to the state government, prohibiting children under 16 years from attending cinema screenings after 11 PM and before 11 AM. The court has urged the Telangana government to formulate regulations regarding this matter.

Incident Behind the Court’s Decision

Last year, a tragic incident occurred at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s film ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. The large crowd gathered to see the superstar led to a stampede-like situation, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to her minor son.

Following this unfortunate event, concerns were raised regarding audience safety, particularly for minors attending late-night shows. Addressing these concerns, the Telangana High Court has now issued strict directives regarding crowd management and late-night screenings for children.

Key Highlights of the High Court’s Ruling

  • Children below 16 years will not be allowed to watch movies after 11 PM in theaters and multiplexes.
  • The court believes that late-night screenings can negatively impact the physical and mental health of children.
  • The ruling was issued while hearing a petition related to the ticket pricing of the film ‘Game Changer’.
  • The ban extends to early morning shows as well, restricting children from entering cinema halls before 11 AM.

Strict Implementation and Penalties

The Telangana High Court has mandated strict enforcement of this new rule. Theater owners and multiplex operators must comply with the regulations, or they may face severe consequences, including:

  • Cancellation of theater licenses for non-compliance.
  • Legal action against those violating the order.

This ruling sets a strong precedent for ensuring the safety and well-being of minors attending cinema screenings in the state.