Jul 25, (Mid-day): Two moviegoers discovered trays used to serve snacks and beverages to movie viewers were stacked next to a commode in the toilet at Cinemax in Ghatkopar's R Odeon Mall

Two friends who went to watch a movie at a Ghatkopar multiplex had no idea what a horror show they were in for.

In what was an obvious breach of hygiene norms, the duo spotted food trays stacked up in the toilet, right next to the commode. But they were even more shocked to learn that the service trays had allegedly been washed right there, in the loo, and would later be used to serve patrons at the cinema.

On Wednesday evening, advocate Komal Upadhyay and her friend, Pranita Semwal, who works at an advertising agency, had gone to watch a film at the Cinemax theatre at R Odeon mall in Ghatkopar (East).

“We were enjoying the movie and decided to buy food from the counter during the interval. An hour into the film, I went to the washroom, where I noticed several food trays — more than a hundred — stacked on the floor. These are the same trays in which we are served nachos, fries and other snacks,” recalled Pranita.

She promptly took some photographs of the service trays and called her friend, Komal to the loo. Unsurpisingly, neither Pranita nor Komal had any interest in buying food at the theatre after this discovery. To their further dismay, when they asked a staffer what the trays were doing in the restroom, the employee told them the trays had been washed right there.

“It was very shocking; I felt like puking. These trays were kept just beside the commode. I was even more shocked when I learnt that they had been washed right there in the washroom and were to be used later,” said Komal.

Pranita added, “Even in your own home, you wouldn’t eat in plates kept inside the washroom. We pay so much for tickets and even the food items are costly, but look at their level of hygiene.”

Complaint

The duo decided to file a complaint, but allege that the management did not take them seriously at first. “We called in the management, and initially they took us lightly, but we made sure to file a written complaint. Such things can cause food poisoning or other diseases; it can be very dangerous,” said Komal, who later received a visit at her office from multiplex officials who requested her to drop the issue.

“The officials even visited my office and told me it won’t happen in the future, and that I should not take this ahead. However, this is a matter of hygiene, so I wanted people to know about it,” she added, mentioning yet another incident that took place at the theatre last month, when she had complained about food being stored on the ground near the snacks counter.

Despite attempts to contact Cinemax Ghatkopar — run by PVR Cinemas — no one was available for comment. However, the theatre issued a written apology to both Komal and Pranita.