Mumbai’s cinema-going routine briefly took an unusual turn this month when one of the city’s prominent multiplexes continued screenings without its usual stream of popcorn, soft drinks and other theatre staples. The food and beverage counters at INOX R City Mall in Ghatkopar were shut for five days after action by Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, bringing the state regulator’s widening enforcement drive straight into the multiplex business.
The disruption also underlines how aggressively Maharashtra FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe has expanded inspections across food-facing businesses in 2026. After restaurants and quick-service operators came under the scanner, a major Mumbai multiplex has now felt the impact of the same crackdown.
Food Counters Were Shut From October 9 To October 13
An FDA team inspected the INOX multiplex at R City Mall in Ghatkopar, and the food and beverage area was sealed over non-compliance with rules. The theatre itself continued to operate during the shutdown, but patrons could not buy snacks or beverages at the venue.
The food counters were sealed on October 9, and the multiplex was allowed to resume food sales on October 13. That created a rare operational split for the property, with shows running as scheduled while concession business was temporarily halted.
Tukaram Mundhe’s Enforcement Drive Has Expanded Rapidly
The INOX episode fits into a larger pattern that has defined Maharashtra FDA’s functioning since Mundhe took charge in May 2026. Over the past few months, the regulator has carried out a series of high-visibility inspections and actions across Mumbai and other parts of the state over hygiene and food safety lapses.
That broader campaign has pushed food compliance to the forefront for businesses built around walk-in consumer spending. For multiplexes, the pressure carries added weight because food and beverage sales are a critical part of the revenue model, often driving margins beyond ticket sales alone.
Why The Multiplex Action Stands Out
The significance of this case lies in the way it hit a multiplex’s business without stopping film exhibition itself. Audiences could still watch their scheduled shows, but one of the cinema’s most lucrative in-house revenue channels was abruptly cut off for nearly a week.
The exact violations were not detailed publicly, but the larger takeaway is unmistakable. Maharashtra’s food safety crackdown is no longer confined to standalone eateries and quick commerce kitchens. Cinema food operations are now facing the same compliance scrutiny, and the INOX R City shutdown is a clear reminder that concession counters are just as exposed to regulatory action as any restaurant kitchen.
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