Despite competition from towering cut-outs of latest films, Shanti Books on the Shanti Theatre complex manages to draw attention. Stacks of books are strategically displayed on a glass shelf for the eyes of theatre-goers. “Every second week I arrange a new set of books on the glass shelf. I take great interest in the process,” says V. Srinivasan, the second generation owner of the shop.
The bookstore is often mistaken for something integral to the theatre.
“My father E. Vedagiri and the owner of Shanti Theatre were good friends. That’s how he started the shop here over 35 years ago and named it Shanti Books,” says Srinivasan. The store stocks books on film actors – a fact further promoting the mistaken notion that the store is part of the theatre. Books on Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, Illayaraja are part of the Tamil collection. Sivaji Ganesan’s Enadhu Suya Saridai has been one of the fastest-moving books at the store. “I have sold at least 200 copies of the book and still get calls for more,” he says. This apart, the shop has spiritual and children’s books.
Srinivasan is planning to start a new venture that would be more paying than the bookstore.
“I am doing this so that I am able to pay my bills,” he says. It is not a great money-spinner, but then the bookstore gives Srinivasan something money cannot buy.
Srinivasan can be reached at 2854 6719.
