15th May 2004

After winning praise from Mani Ratnam, Kamal Hasan an AR Rahman, Santhosh Sivan, Rajeev Menon an many more…. Cinema Paradiso, India's exclusive DVD rental chain, finally moved to Hyderabad to leave an imprint here in the city that loves films.

Cinema Paradiso was inaugurated on December 18th by popular actor of Murari and Okkadu - Mahesh Babu. From then on this has become the hub for all leading films to watch their favorite movie. Be it Nagarjuna, Ram Gopal Varma, Dasarath, you name them and they are here.

Cinema Paradiso - Hyderabad : The sequel
Few sequels build on the strengths of the first and go on to become a block buster. But Cinema Paradiso manages to do just that. Cinema Paradiso opened its first store in India in Chennai in July 2003 and has drawn rave reviews from the city's film buffs. In a short few months it has a member ship list that reads like the who's who of the city. Today Cinema Paradiso is proud to offer the same edge to the film aficionados of Hyderabad.

Cinema Paradiso: The edge
How does one attract members like Mani Ratnam, Kamal Hassan, A R Rahman, Santhosh Sivan? More importantly how does one keep them happy? The secret lies in the edge Cinema Paradiso brings. Not just another DVD store, Cinema Paradiso has been established by noted cinematographer Santosh in partnership with Richard, brother of well known actress Shalini. As a cinematographer who has worked in Hollywood, Santosh always wondered by people in India were not able to access the finest in world cinema. This led to the birth of Cinema Paradiso. "Cinema Paradiso reflects passion for Cinema. It is more than a DVD rental library. It is for people who believe - life is reel. And this is my effort to help people get their hands on world class cinema" says Santosh.

Cinema Paradiso: A different genre
Santosh personally travels to Los Angeles several times a year and meets people from the international film industry to get a feel of what he should pick. Cinema Paradiso has even formed a tie up Virgin Mega store in the US to bring in the new releases to India. His hand picked collection of over 2000 titles are spread over every major film genres? Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Comedy, Romance, Drama & World Cinema and there's a special collection for kids as well.

The draw of film connoisseurs is of course the spread of titles under the world cinema title. Looking for Bicycle Thief? The intense yet brilliant films of Almodovar? Cinema Paradiso has it all.

From now on Cinema Paradiso has something to offer to those who are bored of watching films. For the first time in international scenario Cinema Paradiso has launched an exclusive section that over 30,000 commercials from all over the globe. "Nobody, I repeat, nobody, has approached it this way. That's why nobody can match depth Cinema Paradiso offers" says a confident Santosh.

Cinema Paradiso : First DVD store with all licenses
Though DVDs are easily available, piracy is rampant. And this is where Santhosh's film industry commitment makes a difference. Cinema Paradiso is an exception. Great caution has been exercised to ensure that only original DVDs are stocked. In fact, Cinema Paradiso is the first DVD store in India to obtain complete license for its functioning. Further, it is the only store to have obtained legal consultations and the assent of the registered organization against film privacy. What's more, each DVD in the store is copyrighted to avoid any issues pertaining to piracy.

Cinema Paradiso: More than DVDs, popcorn too.

Magazines:
Cinema Paradiso offers a truly wider appreciation of Cinema. Along with stacks of DVDs members can access the latest film magazines. The exclusive magazine rack offers Variety, Hollywood reporter, Sight and Sound, Entertainment weekly magazines not easily available in India.

Film circle:
Members who could like to plan special evening of film rhapsody together can book the Cinema Paradiso exclusive film circle room. The hall seats upto twelve and offers unmatched sound and picture facilities for a closely knit group that seeks to appreciate the finer points of Cinema.

Popcorn too:
What's missing? The popcorn? That's covered too. The invitation to Cinema Paradiso is printed on a pack of Popcorn. So as you much on the popcorn let the doors open to Cinema Paradiso.

Pressmeet details:

Uday Kiran, Richards (Shalini's brother - acted with a screen name of Rahul in a Telugu film Swapna Lokam'), Santosh and Shamili were present at the occasion of unveiling the commercials section at Cinema Paradiso.

Speaking to the press Santosh said that he is extending the tentacles of Cinema Paradiso in Mumbai as well. All the released international DVDs are available in Cinema Paradiso in 3-4 days after DVD release.

Uday Kiran said that he find Cinema Paradiso to be a place for him to get the best of the DVDs in the world. He is a regular customer of Cinema Paradiso.

Richards said that he is also working on his acting career along with Cinema Paradiso business. He is currently acting in Tamil films and he would be doing a Telugu film very soon.

Shamili, who acted in innumerous Telugu film as child artist, is doing her +2 now. She said that she do not have any ambitions of acting in films now.

Here is the fee structure of renting out DVDs at Cinema Paradiso.

You may call 55107575 to get more information on Cinema Paradiso