The Telangana High Court has issued a directive to the state government to prevent children under 16 from attending movie screenings after 11 PM in theatres and multiplexes. This decision comes as part of a broader discussion on public safety and child welfare within the state.
The court’s ruling was pronounced during hearings on petitions concerning the ticket price surge for the movie ‘Game Changer’ starring Ram Charan and other related issues. The judgment emphasizes the need for a regulatory framework to ensure that minors are not exposed to late-night cinema showings, which may adversely affect their health and safety.
In delivering the judgment, the court expressed its concern over the physical and mental well-being of minors attending late-night shows, which in some multiplexes can run until 1:30 AM. The absence of current regulations regarding the entry of minors during these hours prompted the court to intervene.
The court has tasked the state government with consulting stakeholders to establish clear guidelines and instructions to regulate the entry of children in theatres, particularly between the hours of 11 PM and 11 AM. “Till such decision is taken, the respondents shall not allow children below 16 years to watch movies after 11 PM,” the court mandated.
The call for regulation was further underscored by counsel for the petitioner, Vijay Gopal, who cited the need for immediate government action following a tragic stampede at a ‘Pushpa-2’ benefit show in Sandhya Theatre last December. The incident, which resulted in the death of a mother and serious injuries to her minor son, highlighted the risks associated with unregulated access to cinema for minors during late hours.
