PVR INOX’s new dine-in cinema at M5 ECity Mall in Bengaluru has become the latest online buzz. Images from the launch flooded social media, showing India’s first theatre where you can enjoy gourmet food while watching a film.
At first glance, the idea sounds exciting watching a blockbuster while dining. But online reactions tell a different story. Many of you feel the concept misses the point of what cinema should be.
Some say this setup only works for films like Ratatouille, where food is part of the story and audiences can literally taste what they see on screen. Outside of that, many believe this feels like a cash grab rather than an innovation.
Trollers have called out PVR INOX for overpricing meals, arguing that the new dining format will make movie outings even more expensive. Instead of improving screens or reducing ticket prices, they feel the focus has shifted to squeezing more money from your wallet.
Movie lovers insist that theatres should remain a space to escape into stories, not fine dining zones. They fear that attention will move from the movie to the meal, making it harder to fully enjoy the film.
Some agree this model works for live sports screenings, where cheering with snacks and drinks adds to the atmosphere. But serving a full-course meal during a film? That feels unnecessary to most viewers.
People also point out that dining in theatres limits conversations. If you want to enjoy a three-course meal, they say, it’s better to go to a restaurant where you can actually talk and relax.
Others raise deeper social concerns. They see this as another way to separate audiences by class, turning a once-shared cinema experience into an exclusive luxury event for the elite.
Still, the challenge for theatres is real. With streaming platforms growing and movie quality fluctuating, cinemas are desperate to reinvent themselves. The struggle to balance creativity and business continues, and audiences like you are just hoping for a fair middle ground.
