To most people, nothing can replace a hot cup of popcorn when enjoying a movie in a theatre. Banking on this, those selling popcorn in theatres and shopping malls are looting people by charging up to ten times the actual rate.

According to sources, based on the size of the cup, those at the popcorn stalls, who some call the popcorn mafia, are selling popcorn for up to Rs. 250 in theatres and shopping malls. For one show, these popcorn vendors make anywhere close to Rs. 20,000, and the number could run into lakhs for a single day.

“This is high class looting as I see it. If we make popcorn at home, it will cost less than Rs. 50 and suffice for the whole family. But we are forced to spend in hundreds at malls and theatres,” said Arya. S Menon, a homemaker.

She further added that popcorn can be booked online during ticket booking.

“Sometimes it is sold along with cool drinks at combo prices. This makes it easy for people to buy as it reduces the stress of standing in line,” she added.

R.P. Nivetha, a student, said that people are forced to buy food at malls and theatres as they are not allowed to take food from outside.

“When outside food is restricted, you have no option but to buy food from within as you cannot go hungry for more than three hours,” she opined.

S. Aravind, a private employee, said that not just popcorn, even other food items are sold at high cost at shopping malls in general. “The one restriction that benefits these malls is the ‘no outside food’ policy which should be revoked or else they should reduce the rate of food items that are sold within,” he told Covai Post.

He also added that malls were charging more even for parking.

When tried contacting one of the persons at a shopping mall in the city, they were not available for comment.