Centra Mall ‘fleecing’ movie-goers

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

At a time when the UT administration is talking of checking overpricing of food items at cinemas, PVR Centra Mall is allegedly fleecing people by making it mandatory for ticket buyers to take a Pepsi and popcorn coupon.

The coupon, which costs Rs 100 for a combo of a small cold drink and popcorn, has to be bought with each movie ticket at the Centra Mall counter. A ticket operator at the mall said they had started the practice about a month ago and it was compulsory to buy coupons only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Movie-goers today had heated arguments with the staff who were issuing tickets along with the combo coupon. Some of those who protested the move were, however, asked to wait for five to 10 mintues. They were later given tickets without the coupon. 

However, most people felt cheated. “We are a couple and I asked for tickets for the Andhadhun movie show of 1.25 pm. However, they asked me to pay Rs 580 instead of Rs 380. When I questioned the man at the counter, he claimed that all PVR cinemas had started the scheme and it was mandatory to buy the coupon along with the ticket,” said Rajbir Singh, a local resident, while standing in a queue.

“Is this the way they are trying to turn around the sagging fortunes of this mall? It is nothing less than cheating; we can’t even go to another mall as it will spoil our schedule,” said Samita, another movie-goer.

When Chandigarh Tribune questioned the duty manager of the mall,  Saurabh Sharma, on the issue, he was unfazed and said he was not bothered if it was highlighted in the media. Instead, he claimed, “It is not mandatory to buy a combo coupon. It is optional.”

On the other hand, the UT Administration is unaware of the goings-on. Sachin Rana, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said, “ I am not aware of the issue.”