Paramount team in Kolkata for talks on Film City

Vice-president Tom Renger (business planning and development of Paramount Licensing) was part of the 25-member United States trade delegation that visited Kolkata.

An NRI businessman from West Bengal, settled in the US, along with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is reported to have organised a roundtable with the stakeholders in the entertainment industry to discuss Paramount’s prospective Film City project in Kolkata.

The Film City that was reported to be modelled on the Universal Studios in Hollywood is supposed to house state-of-the-art theatres, eateries, theme parks, among other things.

Confirming the development, Priya Entertainment Private Ltd’s (PEPL) managing director Arijit Dutta said he held talks with the Paramount representative on Friday. PEPL is an entertainment company based in Kolkata.

“We asked them about the plans they have for theme parks and restaurants in Kolkata. We are the only company in eastern India that can handle entertainment complexes like the one Paramount might bring and are looking to co-develop it with them,” said Dutta.

PEPL has the experience of working with the likes of Paramount, Walt Disney and Sony Pictures in the past.

Many retail companies in Kolkata also evinced interest in using Paramount-owned properties like

characters and films as licensees to leverage their business potential.

These companies include Spencer’s Retail, Khadims (which runs the retail chain Egaro) and Nicco Parks and Resorts, which is learnt to be interested in licensing Paramount brands for its theme park.