The Telangana High Court issued directions to the Principal Secretary Home Department as well as the Telangana State Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation to consult all the stakeholders and issue instructions for regulating entry of children below 16 years in theatres/multiplexes before 11 am and after 11 pm.

The High Court further directed that till such a decision is taken the respondents shall not allow children below 16 years to watch movies after 11 pm.

The main concern raised in the petition was that children, more particularly, minors should not be permitted to watch movies during the late hours, as it can have an adverse impact on their physical and mental health. The Petitioner had approached the High Court challenging the action of the respondents in enhancing the ticketing price of a movie named Game Changer & screening additional shows at 4 am.

The Single-Judge Bench of Justice B.Vijaysen Reddy held, “In the considered opinion of this Court, the children below 16 years should not be permitted to watch late night movie shows after 11 PM in theatres and multiplexes.”

Advocate Md. Sultana Basha represented the Petitioners while Government Pleader Mahesh Raje represented the Respondents.

Arguments

The Counsel for the Petitioners brought it to the Court’s attention that pursuant to an earlier order of the High Court, the Government of Telangana had decided not to allow Benefit Shows. It was further decided that early morning shows in future would not be permitted until public interest, health and safety are duly considered.

It was further submitted that the License Condition 12(43) in Form B License for Cinematograph Exhibition under the A.P. Cinema (Regulations) Rules, 1970 states that the licensee shall now allow any performance or exhibit any film by means of a cinematograph before 8.40 a.m or after 7.30 a.m. The issue of the adverse impact of late-night shows on children was also raised. Reference was also made to the unfortunate stampede incident during the benefit show of 'Pushpa - 2' in Sandhya Theatre, which led to grievous injuries to a minor boy and the death of his mother.

Reasoning

The Bench was of the view that children below 16 years should not be permitted to watch late-night movie shows after 11 pm in theatres and multiplexes.

“In the circumstances, the respondent No.1 is directed to consult all the stake holders and take necessary decision in that regard and issue instructions to all concerned for regulating entry of children below sixteen (16) years in theatres/multiplexes before 11 AM and after 11 PM. Till such decision is taken the respondents shall not allow children below 16 years to watch movies after 11 PM”, the Bench ordered while listing the matter on February 21, 2025.

Cause Title: Satish Kamaal & Ors. v. The State of Telangana & Ors. (Case No.: WP. NO. 1184 of 2025)

Appearance:

Petitioners: Advocates Md. Sultana Basha, Vijay Gopal, Mahesh Mamidala, P. Srinivas Reddy

Respondent: Government Pleader Mahesh Raje

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Telangana PoliceJustice B Vijaysen Reddy

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.