The Maharashtra government warned multiplexes that they would face action if they restrained movie watchers from carrying home-cooked or outside food.

"There is no ban on patrons carrying outside food to multiplexes and if the multiplex authorities prohibit it, they could face action," Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan said in the state legislature.

His statement came after a heated debate on the raging issue of exorbitant prices charged by multiplexes for food, water, and beverages. Chavan said there was no bar on carrying outside food, including home-cooked food, inside the multiplexes and warned of action against those preventing the patrons from doing so.

The Minister's reply came in response to Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde, who raised the contentious issue of differential pricing of the same product inside and outside multiplexes.

"The Centre's move will be implemented in the state from August 1, and the maximum retail price (MRP) of all products will be common, providing relief to all patrons of multiplexes. The government will frame rules within six weeks to punish those multiplexes flouting the laws," Munde said in a statement later.