library] I Museum of Mod»rn Art Scanned from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art Library Coordinated by the Media History Digital Library www.mediahistoryproject.org Funded by a donation from John McElwee Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/filmindia194612unse tit i (mi ml i a JANUARY 1948 INLAND Rs 2 FOREIGN Sh4; rtVON PlcniRE.IT IS A PAGE FROM l«V oT '^4 ill J t \ f ILMS 512 C0UF6S STREIT, MATUNGA. BOMBAY Cph one Thue 7hMe ♦ DIAMOND Release Ahe the talk of tht Indian tWm InduttAiu 5.K.0JMA WAST1,MADHUK) SUIOCHANA^ JAYANT * ' DOLI ALL INDIA PICTUR READ WHAT THCY Ad diamond Pick J5KJA*/A 8UILDM. JA £om6aij, Cvnetone ttd. presents amrat ^shoh, THE PICTURE OFTHE HOUR THE STORY OF A GREAT EMPEPOR GORGEOUSLY PRODUCED AT A COST OF. Rs:-I20QOOO/- Cast VEENA • SHAMEEM • SAPRU- HUSN BANU • SHAKIR g UUHAS Pihected by K.B.LALL ^\ )'(///, J.M.R. PICTURES t Hit am Saveia Starting : SWARNALATA.WASTI SULOCHANA chatterjee RAFIQ GHAZNAVI PROT/MA DEVI ft MEERA. 'DiA&cJLtxx by : — M.SADIQ. MICRON X IB THE WORLD'S LARGEST POSTWAR SOUND PROJECTOR WITH THE NEW MODEL AMPLIFIER M-48 incorporating latest * Cathode Follower Circuits * Higher Fidelity Sound Reproduction * Power Output 30 Watts Undistorted * Absolute Linear Reproduction WITH THIS NEW AMPLIFIER M-48 AND THE NEW 2-WAY LARGE SPEAKER SYSTEM MICRON XIB SETS A NEW AND HIGHER STANDARD OF SOUND REPRODUCTION It's an I ^y/Wyty%^y) PRESENTATION : Tj-jj? THE THE SHOWMAN'S * SUPREME CHOICE MACHINE THAT ^ IT'S 5MU OF GUARANTEES GOOD W INTERNATIONAL PRIDE FREE INDIANS SHOWMANSHIP inTERnnTionnii trukie EQuipmEM co., ltd., 17, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Phone: 2 0 8 9 2. Telegram :" S O U N D H E A D " NEW YORK: MADRAS: LONDON. 57, William Street, 18, Mount Road, 21, Wormwood Street, NEW YORK, 5, N.Y. MADRAS 2. LONDON, E.C. 2. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month is : INLAND Rs. 24/- FOREIGN: Shillings 50 - Suuscription is accepted only f-r a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller pjrioii. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Pcs'al Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 55. SIR PHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD. FORT, BOMBAY. Telephone : 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. JANUARY 1949 No. I. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page Inside Half Page Inside i Page inside 4 Pa?e inside 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. •4th Cover Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. 400 210 120 ISO 500 600 ist Cover Rs. 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance witn the order. The adv = rtlse- ment will te subj. ct to the terms and conditions of cur usual contract. 1948 1947 the year of the Quaid-i-Azam and the birth /ear of Pakistan has passed. The birth pangs of Pakistan, proudly proclaimed as the largest Islamic •tate in the world, have taken thousands of innocent ives and uprooted millions of people from their an- •estral homes. Hindus and Muslims, alike, have Minted with their blood this largest state of Islam in (he map of the world. Ushered with tragic sufferings and bitter curses )f millions Paki>tan hopes to become a model state jctt us pray it does and with it inav its father, Mahomed Ali Jinnah, also get some peace of mind ind mercy from God. For. on his hands is the inno- cent blood of thousands, both Hindus pnd Muslims, ind even an eternity of repentance will not wash it >ff. M. A. Jinnah has become the biggest criminal )f history and the tragic sighs of suffering millions shpJl reverberate through ages with curses that will larken the memory of this dreadful man. Already, in the streets of West Punjab are heard he dying wails of cold-stricken and frozen Muslims vho want to know why they have been pulled out >f their ancestral homes and left to die on the streets n the unmerciful winter of the Punjab. The erst- vhile game of poUtics has become an unforgettable ragedy of their life. Yes. this game of politics has become a national ragedy. Indians have suffered in all walks of life :nd the year 1947 has left behind a milestone of ragic bloodstained memory on the sands of time. The Indian film industry has perhaps paid the -reatest price for Pakistan. This industry of enter- aining peop'e can thrive only in peace. The slight- st disturbance closes the theatres where Hindus and ifus'ims assemble with mutual goodwill and har- oony to fee a show. During 1947. with the Pakistani t:oonda> doing devil dance in the streets of India, the film shows lave been practically closed in almost all towns hroughout the country, except in the South. This as hit the fihn people very badly and completely ha.ken the stability of the film industry. Many a ■roducer has become a bankrupt and many more re on the verge of bankruptcy. A single bad year eems to have drained off ?11 their easv profits of even years of war. That doesn't speak much for he business acumen of our film producers. With Pakistan, an established bankruptcy, raid- ing Indian territory will become a compulsory na- tional sport for Pakistanis to keep their professional Pathans and raiders busy somehow. The Indian film industry must therefore never think of our fron- tiers as stable markets save for the purpose of sup- plying some entertainment to our troops in those regions. Pakistan as a market for Indian films can be considered only if someone from the Garden of Allah comes along and pays us cash down for our films in- tended for exploitation in Pakistan. To send any film to Pakistan on the old basis of free trade must be hazardous trading seeing that there is not much of trade honesty in Pakistan and the Pakistanis don't show much regard for the cardinal principle of paying for one's needs. And yet with all these excisions in the territo- ries, the film market cannot be said to have been reduced much seeing that only two key stations. Karachi and Lahore, are lost at present. The total "loss of territory in terms of business should not be over 15°'o and even that loss seem <™ That even Pandit Indra of "Panihari" fame and Ranj.t trade mark is seen these dav ami " old stones rejected bv his Sardar to a man named Naresh because Naresh means a kin, while " sartar nu-yns u a ardar and there are so man - ^f them even the 8 t U lnV° ^ ^ even cne sardar s old saddle some day' That the Indian film industry hasn't much of bSv^h^ T- °\ com*e- Mo,,!:in Abdulla, Veen hasnH made up her mind yet either way That Ambalal Patel wants to file a suit for da- mages agamst Sardar Vallabhbhai Pate 2 fE .rounds of seeking to monopolise the sea Lai \1 Pidity we once saw as Information Fil,, f i 1 We wish Ambalal all suec ™ • °! f*** 19 \ \ \ \ Y\ • t\\ ^ \ \ As an important source'of equipment for Studios throughout the country, we are in a position to supply you with the latest and the best to bring your studio right up-to-date. The outstanding leadership in the studio equip- ment field which our manufacturers have enjoyed for many years, is your guarantee that as new and better equipment is available, we will-be the first to bring it to you. We have been delivering regular supplies of post-war film equipment including Studio Cameras. Monthly deliveries are now being made of Printers, Mole-Richardson Lights, Moviolas, Eyemos, etc. o' f;r Alongside ; Mole- Richardson 5000 WATT Senior Solarspot Lamp is particularly adapted to back lighting where high-wattage units are desirable. The focussing arrange- ment permits adjustment from either front or rear. 0 Some of the STUDIOS to if horn. POST-WAR SUPPLIES have been made- Rajkamal Kala Mandir Filmistan Ltd. Ranjit Film Co. New Theatres, Calcutta Jyoti Studio Famous Pictures Ltd. Kardar Productions Famous Cine Laboratory Jupiter Pictures! Mehboob Productions Pancholi Art Studios Mohan Pictures Jayant Desai Productions Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta Star Combines, Ltd., Madras New Huns Pictures Talwar Productions Ltd. and Twentyrmore. r-: FAZALBBOY LMMITEB cAfotion fthtuhe §(Mmd &i making? They look picturesque and love making is picturesque game. Why is it a fashion among the modern mothe| to go for an outing leaving their babies at honM Babies become brats when they pipe at ti\ wrong time and place. No mother would /ii1 her little ones to be called brats. WE OFFER YOU THE FOLLOWING BEST BOX OFFICE HITS SUITED FOR ALL THEATRES FOR 1948. For the North excluding Sind and Baluchistan (ALEXANDER KORDA'S PRODUCTION) ★"ELEPHANT BOY"* Starring the FAMOUS SABU For All -India, Burma & Ceylon The most exciting Spy Drama ★"DARK JOURNEY"* Starring CONRAD VEIDT and VIVIEN LEIGH ★"UNDER THE RED ROBE"* Starring CONRAD VEIDT and ANNABELLA ★" DINNER AT THE RITZ "★ Starring DAVID NIVEN and ANNABELLA FOR BOOKING AN D TERRITORIAL RIGHTS WRITE TO :- THE MYSORE CINE CORPORATION. KIKABHAI BUILDING. 290. LAMINGTON ROAD. BOMBAY 7. T«l«gr»m: MYSORECINE 24 January. 1948 FILM INDIA Surraiya plays thz lead in ' Kajal". produced and directed by M. Sadiq. Do you think that the League leaders are in earnest to keep permanent peace in both the domi- nions? Is there anybody from the League side preaching mutual brotherhood like the father of our mation? All the Muslim Leaguers believe in and preach brotherhood and in their utter enthusi- asm they often press home the argument with a knife. It is of course Islamic brotherhood of "Allah, Insha Allah. Bismdlal,. Mashallah. SubhanaUah"! What is your opinion about the state of Juna- Bdh? The State is not now in a stati of enjoying an opinion. M. V A SIDE VAN NAIR (Putliyara) "Knock and the door will be opened". How tal- is this true of our film Actresses and producer-.' Doors are old fashioned and many of them hare no doors to their rooms. What would you prefer: peace in bondage or chaos in freedom? What is pec.ee under the boot of another — a worm's existence! Let us be roasted in fire to get even a moment?* flush of freedom. FT SURESH CHANDRA SARMA (Sambhal) When is democracy undesirable? When it is doled out by a power-crazy cli- que, however noble their general ideals. H. C. KUMAR (Mussoorie) Will you suggest some respectable way of earn- ing my living? The more salt you drop from your skin, greater the sugar in your bread. And anything sweet is respectable. Why are our producers after Xur Jehan? Most of our producers are barren and they like babies and Xur Jehan came to the screen as a baby. GOPAL (Mysore) Why do the boys throw paper balls at girls in colleges when the lecture is going on? To prove their impotence and bad breed- ing in case the girls have any doubt. RAM KUMAR GUPTA (Delhi What is the future of our film industry? .1 brilliant future for undeserving people. R. SHRINIVASAN (New Dalhi) From the photo of the loth August ceremony in your bungalow, I see Protima Das Gupta with a cigarette and a cigarette tin in her hand. Is this in accordance with your conception of Indian woman- hood? - Shi is not my women to live up to my cou- rt, ption. \ VUAYARAJ (Rajahmundry i How does etiquette differ from culture? Etiquette is the mask, culture is the face behind. What is the acid test to catch a man in his true colours? Ask for a loan and icctch the colour changing. T P. JHI NJHI NT WALA (Pratapgarh) Is there any chain smoker among the actresses? There u-as one. She married a bearded Rus- sian. ASHRAFUL IMAM (Patna) Define loyalty? Ask Chowdhary KhoJtquzaman. lie knows the definition suitable for Muslims. What do you think Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah should do now thai he has achieved Pakistan? Count the (/hosts of thousands who were ■ killed. F K RAVAT (Bombay) I- woman a house builder or a house breaker? A woman is a greenhouse plant. She needs 25 Come he will. . . Nothing can sfop Him / 117 e're honestly proud of our boys. Let any one of our * ™ clients have projector trouble, and as if by magic an engineer appears. He'll probably come by plane, by car or by train; but if fate decrees it, he'll cycle or ride in a bullock-cart — he'll even walk if he can get there quicker that way. But come he will. . for literally nothing can stop Important as prompt emergency action is, that is only one aspect of Western Electric Service, regular inspection and overhaul of equipment in our care, with free replacement of parts, make emergencies few and far between. You can stop' worrying about breakdowns the day you sign up with Western Electric. It matters not what make of equipment you use: our branches all over India are staffed with engineers skilled in servicing any standard make. Think what this kind of service means in terms of added efficiency and goodwill. Your apparatus always gives of its best: it costs less to run and its working life is immeasurably extended. You gain invaluable goodwill because of the fine quality pro- jection you provide, and because your house can be relied upon to give regular trouble-free shows. No wonder that smart cinema owners everywhere are signing up for Western Electric Service. Western Electric Service Western Electric Company of India Metro House P. O. Box 1232 Esplanade Road, Bombay. January. 1948 FILM INDIA ti huine to thrive and those who need a home know how to build one. NDRA DEVI (Cawnpore) If I hear Amir Karnataki's ghost voice again in the screen. I will throw my 'chappals'? At her? What do you think when you see aged stars ike Nur Jehan playing the role of a college student i "Jugnu"? That the college students are made of straw. They can't even stop a slander of their own alma mater. ;. L. SIVAMURTHY (Secunderabad) What is the difference between a prostitute and wife? Ask your mother, she will tell you. V. R. SWAMY (Negapatam) What opinion have you formed in general about outh Indian people? Nice people at thousand miles. . M. BALACHANDRAN (Perundurai) Why is India music mad? With too many crying cradles in the home, one needs music to grease the ears. ARAIN S. SAWANT (Bombay) Why is the Metro Cinema not changed into an idian picture house even with the achievement of dependence? Metro is not a citadel of British imperial- ism. It is an American counting house where silver rupees change into gold dollars. Actor Shyam says, "Film stars lead a dog's life", o you think he is correct? There are dogs and dogs. The life of a lap dog should be pretty comfortable though its biscuit is not salted with sweat. How do the married female stars feel when ey have to act with strangers? Married stars have their edges blunted atid strangers can't sharpen them easily. Those who overeat never wake up with an appetite. Why don't you act in a picture. Mr. Patel? / entertain some respect for my face. (I AM LAL (Indargarh) Since I have seen the picture of Begum Para on e cover page of "filmindia". I have lost my sen- 5 and fallen terribly in love with her. Would you ease arrange a meeting at Bombay on my telegra- ic information to you? Most willingly but uith her you will have to meet Protima Das Gupta. She is the one who hit the huge Himalayairalla and gave him a life-time mark on the face. People who usually fall in love with Para fall out of it quickly no sooner they see Protima. Don't waste money on a telegram, a postcard will do. We shall all re- ceive you at the Bombcy Central. KABIRDIN S. DAMJI (Mombasa) Why don't the parents permit even their grown- up children to read books on sex? They don't want the children to know what they have been about till the children themselves become sex criminals. B. K. R SHARMA (Bombay) Will you please question Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah, the Governor General of Pakistan as to what are the fundamental activities of their National Guards? He thinks they are there for saluting him whenever he passes with his new plumage but we know some of these National Guards to be blackguards who relieve people of their belong- ings and rape and convert Hindu women. K. S. MENON (New Delhi) Have you any faith in the U.N.O.? Full faith in its failure. Are there any Communistic activities in our film industry &Jso as they are in Hollywood? In Hollywood. Communism is politics. In India, it is hunger. MISS FAIZ JEHAN (Madras) W bo is the greater pest to society between an astrologer and an insurance agent? Does be look a gangster? This is Ashok Kumar in ' Sajani". a Filmistan picture. 27 FILMIND1 A An astrologer is a criminal who cashes on your credulity while an insurance agent is a social worker who wants you to be sensible abend your future. If marriages are performed in heaven, what is the significance of their performance on earth? They are evidently arranged in heaven but performed on earth, otherwise the priests would be unemployed. SHARIF A L. DESAI (Johannesburg) I am a beautiful matriculate girl of 18. I have a burning desire to be married, but unfortunately I cannot find a suitable husband. What shall I do? Allow yourself to be found. It is not fash- ionable yet to search a husband. If you are all that you say. you are not living in a land of blind men. What is sex? Physical expression of mental desire. MISS GUL H. GURBAXANI (Bangalore) When do men blush? When they are caught bluffing. J. D. KOLI (Wanlesswadi) In tragic circumstances, who is the pillar of strength — man or woman? Man is physical support, woman is moral support. RAJENDRA SINGH (Mearut) Some say with obvious truth that "filmindia" is the autobiography of Mr. Patel. Do you agree? Must be some life which takes fourteen years to write and still seems endless. PRITHI PAUL SINGH (Simla) Congress ministers usually come to office in a loose shirt and parachute like dhoti. Don't they feel sleepy in this dress? Many of them do with the residt that our destiny is a'so sleeping. K L. DUTT (Madras) What is the psychology of an actor sitting in & picture house and seeing a picture in which he has acted? He feeh he is before a magnifying mirror which makes the little worm look like an ele- phant. After seeing Shantaram's "Jeevan Yatra" I was terribly disgusted with Hindi pictures? We have aH to build a new nation and we canno* afford to get disqusted so soon. Let us all whip the producers in?o action but not be lick- rd oursPlv°B. The dm victnregoers are licked, there Will be no film industry. IRFAN AHMAD (Lucknow) Will Gandhism survive after Mahatma Gandhi? Only on his anniversary days, we shall 28 January, 1948 hear of the Prophet of Peace and of his sermoti in bhangi colonies. K. K. GOPAL RAO (Mysore) Can "Ramrajya" be established in India i Gandhiji's life time? / think it has already been established witi thousands of Seetas entering fire to save then honour. MISS NARGIS MEDAPA (Mercara) Are you the type who fusses a lot about his ap pearance? Had I, I wouldn't have weighed 200 an odd pounds. SAVITRI DEVI (Cavvnpore) Diwali and Independence numbers of "filmindia were as thin as usual whereas other journals ha nearly doubled their bulk. Why so? Do you xvant bulk or brain? S. P. VASUDEV RAO (Bangalore) How to console an angry dame? I Show her your back. What do you think of the present Kashral situation? An interlude of ideological cheating befon tlie Kashmiris cross the Rubicon. Something is worrying Para, the magic doll of million in 'Suhagi". produced by Blue Art Pictures. January, 1948 FILM INDIA g the so-called refugee problem in Bombay? Forget tlicm. The "refugees'" know how to look after themselves. Most of the "refugees" in Bombay are better dresser! than the local people. It is a social crime to feed these overfed, boisterous "refugees'" at the cost of the local folks. Help should be given where it is deserv- ed. The "refugees'" in Bombay only need houses not a free kitchen. SUDEV G. DAYALANI (Bombay) If you commit suicide what will be the result? Many producers will make that date as their birthday. My sister often calls Sushila Rani as "Baburao's shie". How do you like it9 That is precisely what she is. I like people being truthful. Are you a four-anna member of the Congress? I am. ax millions are. Isn't it a great company? Do our leaders pay any attention to your itings? If anger is attention, I get plenty of it. BISMIL PATHAN (Ahmedabad) What is the difference between a horse and a mule? The horse u a noble animal on which you lose money while the mule is an ignoble creature who slaves for you and brings the ba- con home. What is in the names: Protima Dasgupta and Begum Para? They are two labels over youthful packets of d una mite. K. G. SRINIVASA RAO (Bangalore) Many people think it is below their dignity to stand in a queue before a ration shop and buy rations, but they feel quite proud to stand in bigger queues by the roadside in front of cinemas? // you live in a chawl you icill see morning queues outside the common w.c. People must hair patience if they want what they like. Kr RAJENDRA SINGH (Agra) Whom does a girl prefer: a smoker or a non- smoker '.' A non-smoker. A girl doesn't like to kiss a smoking kiln. WARRIOR P. (Calcutta) Did you take any part in the peace procession conducted by Bombay writers and artistes on the 2nd of October? / am not a circus clown. TO Our Old and New Clients BOMBAY UNITED TRADERS Marina House, 5th Floor, New Marine Lines, BOMBAY. I. Apart from CONNOISSEUR BUY- ING in IVORY, BRASS, CARPETS CURIOS and other INDIAN ART- WARE, for our Indian and Over- seas clients, WE SPECIALISE as buying agents for securing distribu- tion rights of Indian films for Afri- ca, West Indies, Middle East, Fiji and Far East. 29 8, NEW QUE ENS ROAD, BOMBAY. Branch SUBHADRABAI MANSIONS, WOODS ROAD, MADRAS January, 1948 FILM INDIA Have you any faith in anybody in this world0 Some in myself and the rest in God! B. AVINASH (Sholapur) Are all Congress ministers patriots? Till they are proved otherwise. M L. GOHIL (Nairobi) Can a white man prove to be a worthy friend? Why not? What has colour to do ivith the fibre? RVMABEN HAZARI (Bombay) What do yon think of Gandhi ji'a present to the royal couple, of a table cloth spun by himself? Something for Lady Mountbatten and other women to t&k about. Gandhiji has always been a good propagandist . If. P. MAHENDRU (Kaniptee) If Chandulal Shah writes a book on money ticking, he will surely beat Dale Carnegie in its sale and add quite a few tons more to his collection? The Sardar has lost his old money-making formula and a book without that secret won't sell. P P. HARIANI (Bombay) What is the salt of life'? The sweat of your own brow. Men fall at that angle and Gita Bali knows it in, 'Nai Reet", of India Film Corporation. MADHAV DAGA (Bombay) Are we happier than our forefathers? Man has never been happy since his birth. In giving him his brain box, God gave him an endless world of misery. Who is to be blamed for college romances: boys or gil ls? Girls. I guess! The present day boys are effeminate dumb waiters. M. G LTHAPPA (Bombay) If love is a priceless blessing, what is passion? Its effervescence. C. M. SLVARNA (Bombay) Which do you like: Western civilization or Kastern civilization? The East has culture while the West has civilization. The former is an ancient heritage; the latter is a recent transformation. MAHESH (Cawnpore) If the Pakistan government were to offer the title of Film-e-Azam to you, would you accept it and go to Pakistan and organize the Pakistan film industry there? Hasn't one "Azanr been more than enough fur India? x HE MAN R BHAWNANI (Bombay) Do you keep any sort of record of the film stars" / have seen them grow before my eyes. I know even their moles. G. K MISRA (Nagpur) India has suffered a lot during famine and com- munal disturbances. But is it not very surprising that we haven't heard of a single leader' being stab- bed, killed or hunger-stricken? That is precisely why they are called poli- ticians. Even in jails they had comforts. A N. NARAYANA RAO (Mysore) Is smelling a willing 'flower' a crime? Xot if it is in your own garden. Which is the non-stop talking machine in this world and is there any way of stopping it? Put a crying cut out in the cradle and a lot of current will be diverted. You can't put a silencer on Pcndora. Is chest swelling of the females a disease? Yes, conjunctivitis of the male eyes. Can a won an think herself noble enough when she is married? Marricge lends status and nobility even to a harlot. Nature's only idea seems to be to make children just so many machines for the production of inces- sant noise? And often perpetual motion. Are lawyers necessary? Yes, to glorify crime and perpetuate it. 31 • •• m An adventure in smooth operation— in screen steadiness- picture brilliance and, above all, long life, Here is a projector, indeed! To own and operate a SIMPLEX is a realization of high hopes fulfilled. CINEPONES 5, NEW QUEEN'S COAD, BOMBAY*. Grahs FONDCINE South flqent. . s CINE SUPPLIES 9*-HMra. CMMMGAfi SAMAiote c/ry. 4uu*t mtfOSOWD January, 1948 Is the intimacy of a male teacher and a female pupil dangerous? Not if it leads to matrimony. What is the difference between taming a tigress and taming a virago? When you tame a tigress you get a circus but when you tame a virago you get a tigress. PRADEEP L. TANNA (Kandivili) Is it well for us that the future is hidden from us? . . , The struggle for living is one long searci. for the hidden. Even God, man's final destina- tion, is a well-hidden Divini'y keeping man con- stantly in search. If th? veil is torn there would be no future end therefore no life for man. Wirl you accept an offer from Prndit Nehru to fill up the po~t of an Entertainment Minister in the Central Government? Pandit ji irould not like a rebel. He would like a nice litt'e fellow like Bhabhc. We have quite a few Bhabhas in Bombay still. Why fall back uDon a Babu? C. S. GOPALAN (Bangalore) Why is it that almost all people expect good morals from film folks? What they miss in themselves they expect to find in others. N. V. R. SWAMY (N2ganatam) Which is the noblest profession in this world? Becoming a sadhu. A sadhu raises hit hand onh) to bless and is in turn blessed u'ith a free living. R. THIRUVENKATACHARI (Coimbatorc) 1 1 you are asked to award the first prize to a politician who bluffs moct, to whom will the prize eo'.' To the man who bluffed even Sardai Val- labhbhai Patel and amputated Mother India under the anaesthesia of fear. ADV1 RAO (Raichur) Why is marriage the common conclusion of nearly ell Indian themes? How e'se can they end an affair between a man end a woman? Society has yet to accept an alternative arrangement. A. R. BUTT (Karachi) Pictures pertaining to Hindu Muslim goodwill should be produced now in view of the srd plight af our people today. Would you kindly urge a few producers to take up the subject and earn the good wishes (if million: ? You can't tame the Muslim tiger with good- will pictures. He has tasted too much of the Hindu blood and needs another argument to stop his man hunt. Isn't it grand to be a film director? For a man who loves hard and intellectual work, it is a grand opportunity to create some- F! I. M INDIA Ranjana plays the lead in ' Shadia^ Pahile", a social story of Raja Nene Productions. thing. For sex criminals it is one long honey- moon. MISS MAY (Mercara) Have you ever sought revenge and did you find it 'sweet'? / am. a forgetful type and can never rem- ember the injuries done to me. Besides, revenge is a fiery flame which burns first the man who lights it before it does any harm to the person at whom it is aimed. Do children rnnoy you? Not as little ones but when they grow up info irresponsible cads. I hate them after 18. A. S. RAGHAVAN (Bombay) What way do you suggest to win the love of a capitalist? Sweat for him till you can't sweat any more. A capitalist loves the toiling humanity. S. NARAYAN SANE (Poona) If God switched off the Sun tomorrow, which God forbid, what would happen? The wor'd would be sinless. It is light that makes darkness a long hour of sin. ATIB USMANI (Bombay) When you so much deride the Prithviraj-Ahmed Abbas type of propaganda for Hindu Muslim unity, what type of propaganda do you suggest for the achievement of this noble end? Thanks to the Muslim Lraguers. Hindus and Muslims have been torn apart so rudely that 33 FILMINDIA Neelam doesn't want Mumtaz Shanti to be so des- perate in "Padmini", a social story produced by Walli Saheb. no amount of street howling is going to bring them together. Every unity slogan brings to mind thousands of innocent deaths. Time alone must heal these wounds and you can't rush Time by street carnivals, however well-meant. In the din of revenge even Gandhiji's powerful sermons are not heard. Who would then listen to the hoarse throats of Prithvi and Abbas shouting meaningless slogans? MRS. NIRMAL (Mercara) Can death be more painful than life? Death has an undying reputation for re- lieving pain. It is life that is painful and death is the supreme balm of all pain. Md. AMEENUDDIN (Madras) Do you think the U. N. O. will succeed where the League of Nations failed in maintaining peace and security in the world? The U. N. 0. is a circus where different tfou'ns perform by mocking at one another. It is an expensive entertainment, though. If men marry because they are tired of flirting and women because they arc curious, then why are they both disappointed in tlie end? After courting and curiosity come the baby and the bania — one crying for milk, the other crying for his bill. If you are offered a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of poison at the same time, how will you dis- tinguish the one from the other? To m.e both are poison. The need of dis- tinguishing therefore, does not arise. 34 January, 1948 ' YUSUFALI JAFFER (Bombay) Well, Mr. Patel, how can we Muslims of India, I prove our loyalty towards the Indian Dominion? Can you suggest us any method or plan? You need not prove your loyalty for something which belongs to you as much as to the others. Isn't it enough that you are a part \\ and parcel of India as you have been for cen- j furies? Forget politics ami do your day's work ji just as you did long before Jinnah and his f gangsters came on the scene to break tip our family. C. A. MENON (Kallai) Recently many of our directors and stars visit- I I ed Hollywood and England. Have these people brought anv useful things or was it a mere holiday \ trip? A holiday overseas is the best way to spend surplus earnings. Some of them have brought back post cards and American toys. NARENDRA KUMAR (Lucknow) Is Gandhiji's policy of non-violence suited to I our age? If not, why? Because this is an age of brutes who have made strength an instrument of greed and am- I bition. M. P. CHIMA (Mercara) If the British troops quit Bangalore what will be the fate of Anglo-Indian ladies? They will still have 400 million Indians. The Tommies needn't worry, the ladies won't be lonely. SATYA PRAKASH (Saugor) What is the significance of a Gandhi cap? A featherweight cap which puts no weight or responsibility on . the head wearing it. 1 ARJAN K. JHUREMALANI (Bombay) What time is more suitable for committing sui- I cide if life has ceased to be interesting? Death is not fastidious. Any time is good time for this old-fashioned escape. MISS MAHBOOBA (Masulipatam) What happens when a young lady understands a young man? He holds the baby and she goes marketing. MISS NIRMALA G. A. (Bombay) Women accept their destiny more readily than' men. Why? /// the heat of his ambition. Man presumes to compete with God while the woman prays to save the man from himself. In accepting man as her mate, the woman hands over her life to destiny. KUMAR GHOSH (Lucknow) Justify your act of keeping five dogs in these! days of scarcity? January, 1948 FILM INDIA In this wide world one should at least have five loyal friends at whom you don't have to look suspiciously every day. They are cheaper than men. What is a kiss without heavenly bliss? Without heaven in it, it may prove an in- troduction to pyorrhoea. NAM H. DASWANI (Bombay) Why docs an Indian woman pardon all the short- comings of her husband? Partly because she is (aught to look upon him as a god and partly because she has no ex- istence in the world outside her home. H. S. VENKATA RAO (Mysore) How do our film stars react when they see an American picture? They feel like flying to Hollywood on the wings of imagination and teaching the Gables and the Gcrbos a bit of Indian acting but alas — . What is the earthly use of these present-day University degrees? They are very useful if you know how to cash them. That is one secret the colleges don't teach — cashing them. DHIRENDRA KISHORE JHA (Patna) Which is more humiliating to our society: pro- stitution or destitution? Destitution is the parent of prostitution. What pleasure do people derive from flattery? Ask Sardar Chamhdal Shah of Rcnjit. They have fed him so much with sweet icords that the poor fellow is now suffering from diabetes. Why do the power-loving men want to be sur- rounded by mediocre people? Power needs a halo which poor fish provide. AELREI) MAMFHJ (Cochin) What is meant by winking? Flicking the lids to get rid of the desire in the eye. MISS LILA NATHIRMAL DASWANI (Bombay | Whqt is the climax of love and what is its anti- climax? Honeymoon is the one end and the cradle is the other. S. RAMA RAO (Saidapet) How many of our film directors are research students in Indian history? They are historians who rub off the past and write their own new history. According to them Maharana Pratap rode an oversized goat and not a charger. R PAUL PURUSHOTHAM (Secunderabad Dn ) Are there any film actors and actresses who take part in politics?. If shouting meaningless slogans in a street carnival is politics then nng after song mixing Carnatie ragas with popular Hindustani airs. The mixture is quite plea- sant to the ears, particularly the ^nft notes which Subbulakshmi -ings with plenty of bright facial expression behind them. In fact, 3ubbulakshmi'8 face lights up only whilst singing but at other times it seems as if the mind is switched off and the face remains deadly rigid. Subbulakshmi will take perhaps ten years more to rid her Hindustani phonetics of its present Tamil dressing. Quite a lot of fast dialogue Subbulak- shmi has vomitted in such right royal Tamil style that one won- ders whether a few dubbings were missed. Subbulakshmi is too tiny a woman for motion pictures, though she has an excellent voice for music. As Meera she is far, far away from the supposed re- incarnation of the original. Nei- ther the white director, Ellis Dungan, nor the musical Subbu- lakshmi seems to have realised the spiritual stature of Meera, the devotee of Lord Krishna. Subbulakahmi's Meera becomes only a songstress of Lord Krishna not the devotee whose spirit fotind its unity with the Lord. ONLY A MUSICAL Xagiah who plays the Maha- rana, looks a round shouldered potato whose very attempt to re- gister an expression on the face creates laughter. Xagiah seems to have lost both his art and figure of old. What a pity ! As the story is completely do- minated by Subbukishmi, no one else has a dog's chance to do anything. The others rush about in a hurry, making broad faces all the while and occasionally spit out a dialogue in some set or street corner to break the silent monotony of the rush perfor- mances. Ellis Dungan's direction can only be considered from a tech- nical angle. Tt is quite good technically, but Dungan has com- pletely missed the emotional part of the story. To conclude there is nothing much of Meera in "Meera", not even her original songs but the picture provides quite a delight- ful concert of Subbulakshmi's music under the auspices of ,:Meera". And Subbidakshmi sings beautifully. 45 THE NAMES THAT COUNT IN "BOX OFFICE |Q \ Q RELEASES/ ALL 1ST RUNS A KEEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRIBUTORS and EXHIBITORS. For Dominions of India & Pakistan and Burma & Ceylon ★ OUTLAW TRAIL ★ GUN PACKER * ★ RIDERS OF THE WEST * ★ LAND OF HUNTED MEN & ★ ★ SILVER STALLION * The Heart Slopping Drama wilh Cyclonic Thrills. For the Dominions of India f the stomach and fill their stomach with lot of "dhan- sa,k" which later on hangs out from the sides. Shobha is almost the proverbial Parsi spinster, in size and approach to life, waiting for someone else's child to drop into her lap, of course softly. Chandrani and Surajnath are soon brought together by this an- gel without wings and Chandrani prepares to go back to her hus- band's home when Chacha comes on the scene and disowns Chand- rani. Chandrani, who is evidently quick at big decisions, walks out 51 Distributors^ For.- Bombay, C. P. & C. I., FAMOUS PICTURES LTD., Bengal. Bombay Pictures Corporation, CALCUTTA. For Particulars Apply:- MADHUKAR PICTURES Bhoiwada Lane, Bandra. BOMBAY 20. January, 1948 FILM INDIA if the house leaving Prem behind ,vith Surajnath. THE MAN HUNT Chandrani is now in search of Tarachand to establish her character. It is a new technique to call the culprit who first sedu- ced her to come and certify her character before the elders. Any way Chajidrani arrives in a Himalayan tract, where au- tumn lovers usually go for their umpteenth honeymoon, and snif- ing the snow like a sheep dog she #ts hold of Tarachand with all :he possible film coincidences be- 'oming so many milestones of the nan hunt. Tarachand limps back to the city, confesses his sins before Chacha and in doing so gives Chandrani, the much needed cer- :ificate of character to enter her msband's home. We arc now taken to Chand- rani's well-timed death in which «he makes all final arrangements, isks her husband to sing a song ind to its tune she closes her eyes. \ beautiful death it is which takes i\\ the tragedy out of the drama \nd all the money out of the box- iffice. WRONG SETS The production values of the picture are erratic throughout. Russi Banker should learn a bit of the basic art of architecture, especially its fundamental prin- ciple of weight distribution in proportion to the number, size and shape of pillars. His ignor- ance in this respect has lent too many unnecessary and clumsy pillars to the concert hall set where Surajnath recites a poem, while its entrance door screamed with its shabby and ill-fitting de- sign. The dialogue of the picture is quite good. The songs, however, are not popularly tuned nor at- tractively composed. The screen- play is poor and Sohrab's direc- tion is erratic. The story fails to entertain because of poor deve- lopment and direction. BABY TABASSUM From the players, Khursheed, who plays Chandrani, has been rather carefully photographed but still she looks old enough to retire and gives us her familiar acting gestures. Surendra sings the last song well in the role of Surajnath and looks sufficiently moonstruck for a poet. His mannerisms, how- ever, maintain Ins traditions in acting. Sadiq Ali plays better as a vil- Money is an important factor of domestic happiness. Here is Kamla Kotnis giving it away to Shahu Modak in Prabhat's 'Seedha Rasta", a romantic social story. lain than as a hero. He does well as Tarachand. Baby Tabassum gives a darling performance as the little daugh- ter. This little girl is smart and precocious and bonny in addition. She sustains audience interest by her witty whys. Well, "Majhdhar" has nothing much to shout about. At best it is a boring picture which people may not like because of its flimsy beginning. It is a risk to an ex- hibitor to book this one with a minimum guarantee. *J WHETHER You part your hair at -ide or centre, plait it down or braid and coil it, or mass it in full- moon outline — whatever your hair style, abund- ant and beautiful hair is your first and all impor- tant necessity, Kesavar- dhini makes fine coiffu- res now possible by growing abundant beautiful hair. Beauty may be a gilt of the Gods, but hair beauty you can now cultivate and obtain with Kesavardhini. Lay the foundation of your hair, health and beauty in youth — with Kesavardhini. There is no hair so neglected or middle-aged that it does not improve under its kindly influ- ence. Choose Now and Ensure Beautiful Hair ! S! IB PRESERVES, GROWS AND BEAUTIFIES HAIR Kesavardhini ... ... As. 12 Kesavardhini Shampoo ... As. 12 Postage and packing extra From most dealers or direct from SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS COIMBATORE 55 LOKMANYA PRODUCTIONS' MAIDEN OFFERING from THE CREATORS OF 'JHOOLA', 'KISMET' & 'BASANT' .Songs: - — Direction: - AMIYA Chakraborty. PRADEEP Dialogue :- S. CASSHYAP. Music;- ANIL. BISWAS Starring: * GEETA BALI, * SO HAN KAPILA, * SHASHI-KALA, * SAJJAN, * MANG ALA, * VIM LA VASHISHTA & RAMSINGH. Nearing Completion at the BOMBAY TALKIES STUDIOS * OUR NEXT SOON TO GO | *^ Scenario & Direction:- / or Territorial Rights Contact:- LOKMANYA PRODUCTIONS, Sir Mangaldas Wadi. Lamington Road, BOMBAY 4. AT HOME AND ABROAD BANNED ! Bombay, Aug. 22. The Bombay Board of Film iCensors ha^ banned the 16 mm. film, "The Madonna's Secret" (2922 ft.) produced by Republic pictures of America, on the [grounds that its theme is sordid jwithout any relieving features. DEATH OF A GIANT Hollywood, Nov. 30 Ernst Lubitsch, Hollywood's famous German-born director land producer, died at the age of Beginning his brilliant career las an actor with Max Rcinhardt. iLubitsch came to Hollywood in Il922 and directed many great plms starring Pola Negri, Emil (.Tannines. Mary Pickford, Mar- Dene Dietrich etc. Some of his Ifamous pictures were: "Madame iDujbarrv", "Lady Windermere's BFan". ""Love Parade", "Merry fWidow". "Design For Living" land "Ninotchka". Lubitsch's Isubtle and often devastating hu- [mour was always the greatest (feature of his pictures. He Icould mock delightfully with- lout hurting. When a London (newspaperman once interviewed pirn Lubitsch said. "You must pave fun in every picture. Omit- |ting it is the mistake bo many Curopean directors make". Hollywood has many great iireetors but it will take a long |time. even for Hollywood, to re- place the intellectual giant that Ernst Lubitsch was. Censors in south Madras. Dec. 2 The Government of Madras have banned the Tamil film. "Burma Rani" or "Escape", pro- duced by Modern Theatres, Salem, n the whole of the province of Madras. A VAGRANT PRINCE I Hollywood. Nov. 22. B Prince Hamid Riza Pasha of ■ran, who visited Hollywood the ftther day created a sensation Hvhen he arrived in a Hollywood hotel with only one penny in his pocket. It was suspected that he had run away from school but later the Iranian Embassy main- tained that he had not. Money was sent to the prince imme- diately. POACHING CINEMAS Allahabad, Nov. 22. The construction of a cinema very close to their university and its hostels has upset the students of the Allahabad University. A deputation of students waited upon the Minister for Education and requested him to do the needful. It is reported that while no building material is available for building a new university hostel, evidently a lot of building ma- terials seems to be available for constructing cinemas in Allaha- bad. IN MADURA Madura, Nov. 23. A fire broke out this morning in a film studio situated on the outskirts of the city. After two hours, the fire fighters brought the fire under control. No loss of life is reported but a sound stage is said to have been damag- ed. NATURE'S EARTHQUAKE Los Angeles, Nov. 19. An earthquake which shook Los Angeles at 10 p.m. last night was felt all along the sea coast of Southern California. Holly- wood felt the shock as "modera- tely heavy", not due to any par- ticular wedding or divorce in the film colony. BANNED ! Bombay, Dec. 12. The Government of Bombay has banned the film "Aage Badho'" produced by the Pr?.bhat Film Company of Poona in the whole Province of Bombay. Readers are requested to read filmindia's criticism of this film which appeared in the October, 1947 issue. SHOWMEN IN U. P Lucknow, Nov. 11. The Cinema Exhibitors' Asso- ciation of U. P. have elected the following office bearers for the next year: President: S. S. Mehra Vice-president: Dhanpat Rai Joint Secretaries: C. V. Advani & P. Billimoria; Treasurer; D.N. Sahai and two District Secretar- ies: J. P. Guzdar & J. P. Srivas- tava. SOME MONEY ! Hollywood. Nov. 28. Actress Maria Montez has M S. Subbulakshmi, the singing star of the South, maets an un- usual crowd when the Mountbattens, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other officers attended a special show of "Meera" in pfew Delhi. R.N.SIMHAL SULOCHRNR CHflTTERJI, RRJENORR KRIS H N BKHNT, BHDRIPRRSRDJIUIRRI LEE LP miSHRfU GEETRBRL! i3 wfci S.K.OJHA Dialogue & Songs: KUM ARGUPTA Sound: B. N. SHARMA Photography: DWARKADAS DIVECHA Produciion-in -charge : R. D. MARU Produced At EASTERN STUDIOS, WORLI— BOMBAY. /
Running to Packed Houses at TWO THEATRES in BOMBAY MAJFSTIC & BROADWAY Girs:noii. I>:i This festive season give him the aristocrat of all gifts — a watch by Jaeger Le Coultre, and he will forever thank you. Illustrated above to actual size are two elegant models, with new extra-flat all steel cases, and both are priced at Rs- 260/- FAVRE-LEUBA GENEVA BOMBAY CALCUTTA 6,8 tnuarv, 1948 FILMINDI A •andit Badriprasad. one of our op-line character actors, will be l'nce again seen in "Suhagi", a I'ocial story produced by Blue Art Pictures HULI O SIRCAR ! "Who would cot be grieved to )te the epic fall of New Theatres om 'Devdas' to 'Wasiyatnama'? 'ill you plearc advise Mr. Sircar, nir producer friend, to overhaul s present set of sh>rs and direc- rs and select new faces from the lOtographs appearing in "film- din" every month as, Ashit Ba- * looks too effeminate end Bha- ti'too worn out, and their mere >pearance on the screen in main >les causes one to freeze in his lair in fheer despeir." A. P. Shukla. EWA WHY NOT ! '"The other day I went to BC6 ehboob's "Elan" at the local lajestic', easily the most 'unma- reic' cinema in Bang:' lore. As »u may know, this picture is a cial from the Muslim angle and ehboob has tried to emphasise p fact that Muslims must edu- jtc their children so that they iy grow up shoulder to shoulder th those of other communities. Today, visual education is playing a vitally important part m instructing, informing and fortifying the younger generation for the difficult tasks ahead. Educators m schools and universities, business men, industrialists and many others are using visual training more and more as- one of the most efficient aids to learning. As the pioneer of visual education. DeVry has origi- nated and perfected the portable motion picture projector. The new 16 mm sound-on-film projector incorporates the latest improvements, which make it ideally suited for projection in the class room, assembly hall or auditor urn. Simple in design and construc- tion the DeVry is most reasonably priced and measures up to theatre standards in performance. A limited number of DeVry 16 mm sound- projectors is avail- able immediately Sole Agents fri India: ^ffc ELECTRONICS LTD. Ui-< * mm fly .CON NAUGHT PLACE, NEW DELHI. 69 J* 4 J DAWOODCHAND I DHANI R AM # M.OHAKRI DELHI & U. P. MODERN CINE TRADERS Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Distributors- — EAST PUNJAB : — ALL INDIA FILM CORP. Connaught Circus, NEW DELHI. For other territories apply : — KULDIP PICTURES LTD., Bhagirath Palace, Chandni Chowk, DELHI. January, 1948 FILMlNDl A "The attempt is praiseworthy as we see hundreds and hundreds of Muslim children wasting their time on the streets while their Hindu brothers are in pursuit of knowledge. Muslims have been very backward educationally and I presume this was one of the reasons why they were misled by Jinnah's fanatic cries to grab power which resulted in the un- fortunate division of our mother- land. An average Muslim is a senseless human oeing with plenty of wrong and lanaticai ideas about his reugion. To such a race, edu- cation is a vital factor and hence Mehuoob's "iMau is a welcome picture irom the Muslim point of view. "Technically however, the pic- ture is not a good certificate for Menboob wlio nas given us better pictures in the past. It has an in- consistent screenplay, shady pno- togiapny and is poorly directed. "The picture contains dialogues which at certain places gioriiy Is- lam and its traditions witliout meaning any ohence to others, but sad to say that two Hindu gentle- men sitting in front of me walked out of the theatre when they heard the name of "(^uran' being men- tioned. May I ask whether the Hindus also have started believing in the two-nation theory? 1 have espect for every religion and have loved pictures like "Tuka- am", "Dnyaneshwar" etc. Why ot our Hindu brothers stick a bit f Muslim propaganda propagat- d by a Muslim for the betterment f his own community without eaning any offence to others?" V. K. Fazlur Rahman. ANGALORE KYA ZAMANA ! "I had the misfortune of at- -ending the premiere of "Woh Za- nana" last Friday. It was such a Doring and disgusting affair Mr. ?atel, that I bet, you cannot sit hrough the picture. I had to, for he sake of my hard-earned money and for my friend who had in- sisted on my company. Honours for making this film so lavishly boring, go to its music-director. It was the rottenest Ranjit show in my opinion. Will you believe me when I say that we were forc- ed to hear as many as eight songs in the first thirty-five minutes of the picture? And this is not all. They brought the total to a res- pectable score of fifteen, by add- ing seven more after the interval. Who said that our producers and directors did not know the mean- ing of that blessed word 'propor- tion'?" BOMBAY Mansur Mojez A TALE OF TWO CITIES Each convulsed by pitched battles bet- ween the Police and unruly mobs CALCITTA Overwhelming crowds attacked the Lighthouse and were dispersed by lathi charges and tear gas DACCA The turbulent crowds were so violent and persistent that Sec. 144 had to be promulgated to prevent people from assembling near the theatre. THESE RIOTS WERE NOT COM- MUNAL FIGHTS BUT THE MAD RUSH OF FRENZIED PEOPLE TO SEE Pioneer Pr ciuret' SCPSiM MONVMiNT TO THE MARTVUS Of /6S7 MtfTWV ASH OK KUMAR KANAN BHARATI Devaki Bose Kama) Das Gupta For Territorial Rights: PIONEER PICTURES, g rosvenor House, 21, Old Court House, CALCUTTA. 71 RANJIT Presents A Glorious Chapter From The History Of KATHIAWAR i it WOH ZAMANA Starring: KHURSHID (Jr.), PA DMA BANNERJI, SUBHADRA DEVI, ALTAF, SHEIKH HASSAN & LALITA PA WAR Director: MANIBHAI VYAS Now Running at:- IMPERIAL SARLA ART PRODUCTIONS Presents MARIADA 11 Rani Lakshmibai She was the best and the bravest of them all. (Sir Hugh Rose) Starring : SUBHASHINI, V. N. SHARMA, RAKESH & Others. Story: SARLA DEVI Songs & Dialogue: V. N. SHARMA U All Alt AM LAKSimilSAI Starring: SUBHASHINI, HIRALAL VYAGRA, BENIMADHO BAJPAI, V. N SHARMA & Others. Directed by: SARLA DEVI Producer: V. N. SHARMA For Particulars,- SARLA ART PRODUCTIONS, Surya Mahal, 76, Thakurdwar, BOMBAY. PICTURES IN R K. FILMS (Bombay) Director-actor Raj Kapoor with his fast speed of working has near- IB completed "Aag", his first at- tempt at direction. "Aag" has quite a few stars, some of them being Nargis, Kamini Kaushal, Kanwal Kapoor and Raj Kapoor and it is reported that the picture lhas become good. I FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) ■'A?j Ki Raat" featuring Surrai- ya and directed by D. D. Kashyap is awaiting release. Director 0. P. Datta hfijs made good progress with the new picture begun last month. PRABHAT CO. (Poona) "Seedha Rasta" featuring at- tractive Kamla Kotnis opposite Shahu Modak, seem- to have been liked by the filmgoers at Poona where it is sti;l running. The di- rection is by Vasant Painter. IROTIMA PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Producer-director Protinia Das- gupta tells us joyfully that ".Iharna" is ready to go before the Censors. The way Protima Das- gupta has been working :'t it, gives us some hope that "'.Iharna" might be a really good picture. One thing is sure that in "Jharna" the ever-lively Begum Para gets a role after her own heart. M. & T. FILMS LTD (Bombay) Messrs. Makhanlal and Tewari, two city financiers from the bul- lion market, have floated this con- cern under the management of Mr. B. M. Naredl. Many an ambiti- ous project is planned by this firm in the different fields of produc- tion, distribution and exhibition. They hr.ve already purchased the Krishna Cinema in the city, the Hind Studios in Andheri and a quite a few more financial deals Munnawar SuKana is not quiie happy with those two old fogies in "Parai Aag ' produced by Gr?at India Pictures. are round the corner. Beside- financing needy producers, this new concern is likely to launch its own production to feed the chain of theatres they propose to acquire throughout the country. FILMISTAN LTD. (Bombay) "Shehnai" is still running strong at the Novelty Cinema. Bombay. Both "Sindoor1' and "Shehnai" have brought Chunilalji, the chief of Filmistan, a lot of money as well as appreciation from film fans. "Leela" featuring Shobha and Veera will be released in due- course. In the meantime, director Kishore Sahu is working hard to make "Sajani" an attractive pic- ture. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD (Bombay) This popular firm of distributors is making arrangements for re- leasing their pictures in different cinemas at Bombay. ''Samrat Ashok" has been scheduled for re- lease at the Royal Opera House after 'Bhakta Dhruv" and "Sham Sayera" will be shown at the Im- perial Cinema after "Wdh Zam?- na . "Samrai Ashok" has been given away tor distribution to Messrs Jf«at Talkie Distributors at Del- hi and "Doli- to Famous Pictures I alcutta. A new branch of Dia- mond Pictures is likely to be open- ed m Delhi shortly. RAJA NENE PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Producer-director Raja v—. has complete* "Shadi Se Pahile" featuring pretty Ranjana and those who have sreen the rushes entertnn big hooes about its box- office quality. Rrja Xene is now busy with the paper work of hie next picture called "Hamara Kva Kasur". 7? Now Ready for Release BHAGWAN PRODUCTIONS' I 1 Offering a feast of enchanting music and colourful dances by RAN J IT KuMARl Featuring : Jawahar Kaul, Balakram, Roop Kumari, Chanchal Kumari, B. Gill, S. P. Mahindra, Leela Gupte, Radha Laxmichand and Sewak Associate ; S. AHLUWALIA Editing: P. A. GOKHALE & others. Directed by : KUMAR SAHU & R. VISHNU RAM Dances: Pt. GIANSH ANKER Lyrics: Pt. INDRA, SEWAK & SURJI T Cinematography : G. P. ASTHANA B.Sc, F.A.I. Production executive: JAYANT ACHARYA Story: KUMAR SAHU & R. VISHNU RAM. Music: HANSRAJ BAHEL. ^Producs-d try. Vishnu Vithal Ranade alias R. Vishnuram. For Particulars write to .- BHAGWAN PRODUCTIONS, R.AHEMAT BUILDING, VINCENT ROAD, DADAR, BOMBAY 14. moHnn PICTURES PRESENT uflDiM-Biinsniii DID£CTOD>NPNUBHRI V0KIL Powerful STUNT with * MAGIC * MUSIC * LAUGHTER and * LOVE with * LOVELIES. — : Starrnig : — * AMEER KARNATKI * PRAKASH * RAFIQUE & ANSARI * KAMAL RANI * AGA And many others. ForTerri(,,rial Riphts, Write to: — RAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL & CO., Khetwadi Main Road, BOMBAY. 4. fanuary, 1948 FILM INDIA "fAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) I This is a company started by [he popular distributor from the korth, Lala Jagat Narayan. Their oeiden Hindustani picture "Vee- \a" is more than half way through Ind features Veera, Sulochana Ehatterji, Rehman and Yakub. viiil Biswas, the music director, is reported to have given catchy lunes and the picture has a good flhance of succeeding at the box- ['ffices. The direction is by J. P. Idvani. I'HANDRAPRABHA CINETONE I (Madras) I "Meera" starring sweet-voiced 1. S. Subbulakshmi is doing good lusiness at the Central Cinema. |ombay where it is still running packed audiences. The Ella- s' so well rendered by M. S. ubbulakshmi are mainly respon- ble for the success of "Meera". HITRALAYA LTD. (Bombay) "Apni Chhaya" featuring Sulo- lana Chatterjee, Balwani Singh id Radha Kishan has been com- leted at the Bombay Talkies stu- ms and director Santoshi is more lan satisfied with the result. We "e told that in "Apni Chhaya" rector Santoshi has given a se- Meena Kutnari plays the lead in Ranjit's social story, "Piya Ghar Aja". rious theme in contrast to his earlier comic and rather flippant themes. ARVIND & ANAND PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Khidki" directed by Santoshi is reported to have become an at- tractive picture with eleven eve- r'Sc-sdha Rasta", a Prabhat picture, is full of such rural situations which give ths story a human touch. Kamla has brought the lunch for Chandrakant and wonders — well, just wonders — filling heroines. V. H. Desai. the comedian, has an important role and is put in to supply a few laughs to filmgoers. Rehana is one of the many heroines that Santo- shi has portrayed in "Khidki". RATAN PICTURES (Bombay) Director S&diq has nearly com- pleted "Kaial" an emotional story, featuring Surraiva. Wasti. Gope and Cuckoo. The dialogue is by Azni Bazidpuri and is reported to be sparkling. D. N. Madhok has written the lyrics and Chulam Haider has set them to lilting mu- sic. A couple of dances by Cuckoo i< likely to attract the public. BLUE ART PICTURES (Bombay) In spite of an accident in which the heroine. Begum Para, was thrown out of a tonca on an out- door scene in "Suhrei" and escap- ed with a few injuries, the shoot- ing has been progressing quite smoothly. "Suhagi" is likely to be completed in a couple of months' time and thou ill the director is new he is enthusiastic and hones to make a good job of it. "Suha- gi's" chief attraction is Begum Para Other- in the cast are Ma- nonuna. Sadiq Ali, Badriprasad and Zillobai. In the meantime, 75 FILMINDIA January, 1948 the paper work of "Payal" is getting ready.. LIBERTY ART PICTURES (Bombay) The following four films from Ru sia dubbed in Hindustani are awriting rc'ease in Bombay. They are "The Flower of Stone", "Jai Desh'" a Story with patriotism as its ideal. "Tahir and Zuhra" the Rus irn counterparts of "Romeo and Juliet'' and "Zoya" depictim; the story of p, brave woman whose courage brought freedom to her nation. INDIA FILM CORPORATION LTD. (Bombay) Producei R. N. Simhal, a busi- ness mm from Bhopal, is produc- ing "Nai Rcet" at the Eastern Studios, Bombay. Director S. K. Ojha, who h.as already gained &ome experience after "Doli", is reported to h; ve made "Nai Reet" an interesting picture. The cast consists of Su'ochana Chatterjee, Geeta Bali. Rajendra and Krish- nrkant. RANJIT MOVIETONE (Bombay) "Woh Zamana" featuring Khurshid (.Tnr.) and Altaf is run- ning at the Imperial Cinema, Uilhas and Sapru arc not exactly playing with the sword that way in "Samrat Ashok". Bombay. Some of the pictures ly- ing in the tins axe "Bichhade Ba- lam", "Kaun Hamara" etc. JAI HIND FILM EXCHANGE (Bombay) This company hag secured se- vta pictures for distribution. Some It's a family situation with a little sourness between Mumtaz Shanti and Ashok Kumar in "Padmini", produced and directed by Wal i Saheb. of them are: "Panna", "Dharti k Lai", "Jhumke", "Ragini" "Ada lat" and "Pan.". "Adalaf fj tures two newcomers, Shalini an Rajan and "Paro" In s Geeta N] zaini in an important role. MOHAN PICTURES (Bombay) "Jadu-i-Bansari" is nearly com pleted with Anjirbai Karnatak and Prakash in importrnt rola Others in the ca-t are Rahtpie am Ansari. Director Nanubhai Vrki is not resting however rfter ".Ta du-i-bansari" and is getting "J| du-i-angoothi" ready side by si<| KANTJ DESAI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Geet Govind". Artist Km De. ai's pet picture is awaiting ■ lease at the Majestic Gineraj Bombay. The direction i- by Rfj ii.aclw.ndra Thakur. Prem Adj plays the role of the popular po4 Jayadev and Lee'a Desai is Pad ma. the girl who inspired .hvadei to reach poetic heights.. DELHI THEATRES (Bombay) The paper work of "Paharan and "Kisan Ki Gai" is ready s| they will go to the sets shortly. SARLA \RT PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Maryada" !ia- been nearl completed with Subhashini in m j in' in lead. I rioted by Baburao Patel at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd.. Globe Mills Passage, off Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published bv him for filminrlia " Publications Ltd.. from 55. Phiroz*h*h \feh'» WnaH. Fort. Bimhav. RECD.NO. H 3517 filmindia Rs.2/- FEBRUARY 1948 FOREIGN Sh 4/ NCING, PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION 6 EXHIBIT AM/* P04D. DALAJR . &OM&4K &u**^mA WHEN THERE IS A DIAMOND RELEASE IN YOUR TOWN IT MUST BE OF COURSE THE BEST SHOW IN THE TOWN ! SAMRAT ASHOK: A Bombay Cinetone Picture- A great masterpiece ! A great subject masterfully handled by the well known Producer - Director K. B. Lall. Look at the cast:- Veena, Sapru, Ullhas, Shamim, Husn Banu, Shakir, Himalaya- walla and a thousand others. Shortly releasing at Royal Opera House, Bombay! SHAM SAVERA: A J. M. R. Picture. Released at Imperial Cinema, Bombay on 23rd January 1948 and Running to packed houses. A different original story SADIQU ELY told ! Cast :- Swarnalata, Sulochana Chatterjee, Wasti, Rafique Ghaznavi, Protima Devi, Meera, Badriprasad, Masseh and others. Q Q L J ' Running to crowded weeks at Poona and Sholapur. © a j\, m © id if h c xiJ v a £ £i il^id, Seksaria Building, Sandhurst Road, Bombay 4. Inaugurated by Hon'ble Sardar Swaransingh Punjab's Home Minister. Awaits Release at Long Last ! It portrays an up to the minute story with songs, dances & Romance against the flaming Clash of Labour & Capital Daringly done on the Indian Screen For the first time MICRON XIB THE WORLD'S LARGEST POSTWAR SOUND PROJECTOR WITH THE NEW MODEL AMPLIFIER M-48 incorporating latest * Cathode Follower Circuits * Higher Fidelity Sound Reproduction * Power Output 30 Watts Undistorted * Absolute Linear Reproduction WITH THIS NEW AMPLIFIER M-48 AND THE NEW 2-WAY LARGE SPEAKER SYSTEM MICRON XIB SETS A NEW AND HIGHER STANDARD OF SOUND REPRODUCTION It's an I * J/lytZ^sJ) PRESENTATION : THE THE THE r » SUPREME CHOICE , MACHINE THAT . IT'S * OF ^ GUARANTEES GOOD * INTERNATIONAL PRIDE FREE INDIANS SHOWMANSHIP IRTERRRTIORRb TflliKIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Phone: 2 0 8 9 2. Telegram : "SOUNDHEAD" NEW YORK. MADRAS. LONDON: 57, William Street, 18, Mount Road, 21, Wormwood Street, NEW YORK. 5, N.Y. MADRAS 2. LONDON, E.C. 2. Born 2nd October 1869 MAHATMA GANDHI Died 30th January 1948 His stature reached the heavens and God became jealous. So a devil. Nathuram Vinayak Godse. shot at Gandhiji and killed a god on earth In centuries to come let not another man be named "Nathuram", lest another angel be murdered and one more mother's womb cursed For whom the whole world weeps, what are the tears of a little man? Baburao Patel.t NAYA BHAGWAN Tu muskura ke mulk par qurban ho gaya Insan tha aur aaj tu Bhagwan ho gaya Daman zamin ka soorkh huwa khoon se tere Tharra ke zard sharm se shaitan ho gaya Ai janewale ! dekh hee leta tu ek nazar Sara jahan ro ro ke Hindustan ho gaya Tu chal basa hum sab ko gunahgar bana ke Badnam teri mout se insan ho gaya Geeta sunai tu ne nirale hee raag se Tera naam har insan ka eeman ho gaya Wo jhoot kahate hain jo kahate hain tu mar gaya Tu kya mara ! Paida Naya Bhagwan ho gaya PANDIT INDRA 1 % i^fa ft t^t fS=«H *T1 ST* «15T *WT % *W % 5^cTH ft n«n SRT 5TfT *t *t % ff5=5^fT ft T3T - $ =351 9ST f U *T*T *fit S^fTR *HT % «l<^Tt? ct*t *rVrT % ^{TH ft TIT iftrTT §?n| 10KE ABOUT SMOKING! The Municipality of Bombay is contemplating prohibit smoking in picture houses by enacting a sv\ Originally smoking in picture houses and other aces of public amusement was prohibited in Bom- ,y but some 20 years ago the authorities having jnd no objection to this harmless indulgence lifted ? ban and no one so far has ever seriously com- i lined against smoking being allowed in picture juses. | We think smoking in picture houses showing Elian pictures should not only be allowed but even ibouraged, for the poor spectator needs something le a cigarette to relieve his nerves of the strain \ is usually made to suffer through an Indian pic- l'e. We have observed persons not usually addicted t smoking often borrowing cigarettes from their i:hbours to get some relief from the boredom in- jted on them by the rotten show on the screen. The Municipality has requested the Commis- ner of Police to consider the desirability of en- ly prohibiting smoking in cinemas "so as to ob- te the nuisance and also danger to public health safety." While appreciating the Municipality's anxiety public health and safety one cannot help won- hig why it has never so far cared to look into most insanitary, filthy and disease-breed- conditions of the city's picture houses which a much greater menace to public health and t-'ty than smoking. Laws already existing on the tute books have never been enforced and powers ».ed in Municipal and government authorities ||e never been exercised in these matters and no i is ever paid to the crying voices of the city's ions of picturegoers. And the only interest the Hgress dominated Municipality is now showing, ttlie eve of its retirement from office after nine long 1*8 of its much criticised regime, is its move to ban 3 king in cinemas! There are many other inconveniences one has )»ut up with in picture houses and the most un- e-ablc of them are the cries that conic from little Is brought by their parents to a show which they l neither see nor understand. These little ones jld surely be happier in their cradles than in the ncating darkness of a cinema theatre and we i' always been wondering why their fond parents lect them to the three hours' torture of such il confinement. We want a law prohibiting ad- >ion into cinema theatres to all children below 1 ige at which they can see and enjoy a picture, or at least sit silent without crying, talking or disturb- ing their neighbours. We also want a law enabling the theatre management to drive out immediately the parent of a troublesome brat with his objec- tionable goods as soon as it begins crying or talking. Why not as well enact a law prohibiting talk- ing in a cinema? Numerous spectators, particularly young couples and ladies give a headache to their neighbours by talking loudly enough to get on their nerves. Strictest silence must be enforced within the auditorium by law in places like our city where the picturegoing public is ignorant of the most primary civic manners and belnaviour. If the Municipality is really anxious to redress the grievances of the public there are so many of them to which its attention has been long overdue but never so far directed. "Filmindia" has time and again pointed out all these grievances during the lot many years and they are too well known both to the public and the authorities concerned to need repetition. One wonders whether the Municipality Akhtari plays the lead in Kuldip Pictures' first production "Papiha-Ra". 7 muw TPLKII equipment: fm I - SIMPLE IN CONS- TRUCTION i 2 - STURDILY BUILT 1 3-HIGH OR LOW 1 INTENSITY AUTO- MATIC ARCLAMPS 4 - AUTOMATIC OILING u 5 - ROTARY DRUM SOUNDHEAD 6 -COMPLETELY EN- CLOSED. FILM PATH im Also For Your Other Cinema Requirements CONTACT messrs. TECA ENGINEERS WALLACE FLOUR MILLS COMPOUND, SLEATER ROAD. BOMB cbruary, 1948 FILM INDIA ■hana has now become popular. Here shz is in "Sajan'', of Filmistan. ply means doing something at all or whether the n on smoking is just meant rs a measure of puri- lism so pecu'iar to the khaddar clad, Congress minatcd Corporation whose nine years' regime of : city's civic affairs is lure. ending in a deplorable MINING TO SARDAR VALLABHBHAI Naval Grndhi, who specializes in production of rsreeis and topical events, has done a good job "Ka hmir-ki-Kahani" (The Story of Krshmir) you can forget the b'atant propaganda which erms out from the commentary. Technically the picture is well shot including i reconstruction of several past events in an cs^en- lly primitive country. Kashmir may be a para- e to lovers of nrture but in other respects its pro- •bial beauty is a myth, even though Pandit Jawa- rlal Nchru'often goes into lyrical ecstasies over : beruty of Kashmir. But then you mustn't for- that Jawaharlal is himrelf a Kashmiri Pandit and hly sensitive and emotional at that. If a Kash- •i house-boat catches fire rudden'y, the highly otional .Jawaharlal mry order the whole nation to into a state mourning. Knowing Kashmir and Kashmiris rs we do, Jval Gandhi must have had a nerve racking job to reconstruct fome of the incidents of pillage and plunder which we see on the screen. 1/ the commentary had been less emotional and blatant, the "Story of Kashmir" would have succeed- ed better in its desired effect. As it is this topical story is booed and hooted by Muslim mrsses in the cinemas, who are still for all practical and spiritual purposes deep-dyed Pakistanis ?nd will remain so even if the Hindus treat them as sons of the same soil. The reasons for this are purely political. As we must rccommodate four and half crores of Pakistani Muslims in our secidar state to prevent national suicide, it will be wise and discreet for our newsreel and film producers to present only such stuff as would not irritate our Pakistani-in-'aws even if every word of the story be just and truthful. Many cxhibitors in the country are scared of showing "The Story of Ka-hmir" because of its lop-sided com- mentary which screams rt us the righteousness of our ca"«c in an indignant voice which Muslim masses don't like. With oi-r national ideals protecting them the Pakistani Muslims in the Indian Union, four and half crores of them with the exception of Ahmed Ab- ba* and a dozen others, are just recoverine their old threatening erowl backed by rowdvism and manv a theatre in the city has already heard quite a few fbusive epithets when "The Story of Kashmir" was screened. It is this unfortunate commentary which com- promises Naval Gandhi's technical achievement and makes "The Story of Kashmir" a provocative topi- cal. Sardar Val'ahhbhai Patel, who has restarted the Information Fi'ms of India, shou'd also remem- ber this wrrning found in the threatening growls of Lalita Pawar appears to be in a defiant mood with some one offending her in Navyug Chitras "Phool aur Kante". 9 February, 1948 FILMINDI A ■ie Muslim masses. As long as the Sardar produces tories of planting vegetables in our backyards, lere will be no objection from the Muslims of India, ut no sooner he tries to give something controver- al like "The Story of Kashmir", however just and •uthful, there is a likelihood of cinemas being burn- i down by the Muslim masses. So let Sardar Vallabhbhai plan his productions ith this warning in mind so that our Muslim in- avs don't lose their temper unnecessarily. We have i» nurse them to redeem our souls and guarantee ■ace in this land which has just become free. BUL KALAM'S RELIGIOSITY! Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, our Minister for ducation in the Central Government is reported to ive said at the recently held Educational Confer- !ice that religious instruction should be given in hools as an integral part of school education. If Maulana Saheb decides to carry his threat [|to action we shall soon have Allah, Bhagwan, mrist, Zoroaster and umpteen gods and goddesses ijaying stellar roles in our studies. That will shatter il our dreams of building a secular state and we ■all have Parted once again the old vicious game if religious fanaticism in which thousands have been illled in the name of religion. Christianity and Islam, the two religions which ■e fanatic in their zeal of converting others ami in- There is some mischief in the eyes the way Suraiya is looking in Ratan Pictures1 social film "Kajal". ti'Piya Ghar Aaja-', a Ranjit picture, Meena Kumari looks like having some angry moments. creasing their numbers, may welcome Maulana Saheb's utterly Islamic suggestion but Hinduism and other liberal cults must condemn the very idea of poisoning routine state education of children with religious instruction. The flame of religion burns in a home and only in homely environments does man attain the spiri- tual needs of his life. Then there are temples, chur- ches, mosques, fire temples and synagogues where people can receive their religious education from I heir respective sacerdotal orders. We have enough of temples, mosques and chur- ches sprinkled all over the country like so many scabs covering angry ulcers of fanatical religiosity. In addition to this we have Hindu and Muslim film producers shouting in the name of Bhagwan and Allah every two minutes in almost every pic- ture and asking the filmgoers to look to one or the other for a'l their needs from a tooth brush to a shoe lace. ] Recently several Pakistani Muslim producers have given us an overdose of Allah, Who has been forced to work overtime through several pictures which were mainly designed to propagate Islamic teachings and revive the one-time Moghul rule, though there are no Moghuls living in India now Quaid-i-Azam. the Great Moghul of Pakistan, being only a little Khoja. II THE PERFECT BLENDING OF SIGHT AND SOUND For Bengal, Assam & Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPN. 1 1 Esplanade East, CALCUTTA. Telephone Cal. 6178 Telegrams : " CINE FILMS For Indian States in Bombay ''residency, Central India, Kuthiaxvar. EVERGREEN FUTURES South Tukoganj, INOORE. Telegrams: •' EVERGREEN " Distributed By; EVERGREEN PICTURES Saklat House, 15, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY. Telephone : 26952 Telegrams : "P.CTJRIAL" For South Indii EVIR3REEN (BANG/LGc No. 2, Sheshadri P: BANGALORE Telephone : 2608 .ebrnary, 1948 L — - — tsha Posley has an important role in Kuld-p Pic- tures' maidon sorial fi'm. "Papiha-Re'\ || Add to ali tins re:igious fervour, the rank iiite- wy of the masses, their exploitation from different Ig'es by different religious and political parties and mr own agonising poverty and imagine the extent I havoc an undue emphasis on religion will cause in jmcnts of national ends. [Realists like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Pan- I Jawahar'al Nehru murt not allow this religious ection of Bliagwan and Al'ah to spread to our ;ools. There is enough dirty work done in the nams God by the followers of different faiths in this at coi ntry. I- it ncces-arv to import all this poi- i to schools where little children go only to sin at i fountain of knowledge, knowledge that is intend- to make them good and practical citizens of the rid? The instruction of religion must be given to the ldren in their homes by their parents and not in ools if the dream of a secular state is ever to ne tine. Even the relieious instruction given at present the Catho'ic missionary schools and colleges all t India must be stopped bv a state law. Whet m c^nnl* to f'n with an education which prima* r belongs to homes and churches? In Mau'rna Azad, we have a Minister of Edu- ion educated in Persian, Arabic and Urdu — all three languages which contribute to religious fa- ieism. That is a wrong job for a good man. He FILMIXDIA should write another commentary on the Quran and hand over his precent job to a better man who has had international training. WHAT PRICE NEGLIGENCE? If anyone living in Bombay were to be guided foi going to an Indian cinema show by the numerous posters and banners displayed at alf possible street corners and other prominent p'aces, he would, in nine cases out of ten, find himself either in a wrong picture house or would see before his eves a wron^ picture. " None of the several so called publicity officers and managers or the executives of the numerous ad- vertising agencies carrying on film pub'icitv in Bom- bay appear to have any sense of proprietv/regularity or responsibility. On a casual glance of these posters one would almost always find that three different pictures are being advertised as running at one and the s?me pic- ture house! As this experiment has never yet been tiled in India, it is not always easy to find out which of the three pictures is being actuallv screened at the theatre. Likewise the posters often "give an impres- sion of a picture running at several cinemas at once and it becomes equally difficult to know where ac- tually it is running, if at all. Posters often continue being displayed at vari- ous sites for months after the picture "has run out and forgotten by the pub'ic merely because the ad- vertiser has paid or agreed to pay rent for a fixed term for the site! At the Dadar Station of the B.B. & C.I. Railway, for instance, there is still found a big poster of Filmistan's "Sindoor" with the label of ' Roxy ' although it is ;ix weeks now that the pic- ture ha^ been withdrawn from the theatre nor is the picture running anywhere else in the city at the I moment. The distributors of foreign pictures conduct their publicity campaigns more rensibly. They take care to see that on y the right picture* is advertised and when a picture completes its run any poster pertaining to it is not allowed to remain anywhere even a day longer. Neither the publicity mugs who \ie with one another in securing as many pictures as they can "do" by turning out carbon copies of newspaper lay- outs and write-ups nor the different agencies who go on dumping as many posters as they can secure at a single :ite to make as much out of it as po-io!e have rca'ised that it ultimately affects their own business materially if wrong pictures are being ad- vertised through sheer negligence after they have ccaccd to be shown. A recent instance of almost criminal negligence in respect of street and poster publicity was ihe campaign— if a few half-hearted advertisements with ill-chosen words can be at all cal'ed a publicity campaign— for "C.va'an" released at the Krishna Cinema in Bombay by the people who distribute this picture in the province. " While a few daily papers 13 HERE'S THE BUICK FOR 1947 _ style-wise, performance-wise, qua* 1 i ty • wise and value-wise the sweetest "buy" your money will find anywhere this year. Its lively performance, easy handling and smooth ride stem from scores of proved Buick engineering developments, including the powerful FIREBALL Valve-in- Head straight eight engine, full-length torque-tube drive, and all-coil springing. For further particulars, contact your nearest Buick dealer. Retail Price ex plant Bombay (exclusive of Sales Tax or other tax when due) Buick 51 Sedan Rs. 1.1,000. SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER: METRO MOTORS. HUGHES ROAD, BOMBAY. WESTERN INDIAN STATES MOTORS. JODHPUR. E. SEQUEIRA, CAMPAL, NOVA-GOA. General Motors GM India Limited SERVING INDIA'S TRANSPORT NEEDS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS FROM OUR FACTORY IN BOMBAY February, 1948 FlLMINDI A Shalini has an important role in Navayug Chitra's forthcoming release 'Phool aur Kante' whispered modestly about the release of this picture at the Krishna Cinema, the streets were full of pos- ters and screens screaming the run of "Doli'', a pic- ture that had just gone out of the theatre to make room for "Gvalan". The new picture, therefore, ne- ver got the benefit of any street or outdoor publicity, Lvhich all along screamed about "Doli", and it was [pot surprising that "Gvalan" had to suffer at the pox-offices. For, after all said and done our pictures (are seen by the uneducated masses who have to be [fold of a new release by big screens, street corner posters, sandwich boys and push carts, apart from idvance trailers, slides and other tom-toms. The fate and treatment of "Gvalan" can pro- bably be attributed to personal reasons, but many (pictures every year suffer in a similar manner and [litter away their chances of becoming box-office hits Kue to sheer carelessness and lack of initiative and >| nterprise. J In these days when every anna in the box-offices Hontributes to the future stability of our film indus- flry, film producers would do well to give good ad- vance publicity to their pictures prior to release a- 'hey have to reach over 32 lakhs of people in this Ireat city of ours and it is not an easy job to do so ■3 the midst of touring politicians, strikes, Socialists, -ommunists and lawful lathi charges. CRIMINAL SHOWMANSHIP It seems that the war has left behind immoral- ity and corruption in almost every walk of life the way we find almost every wage earner fishing for more money in addition to his legitimate wage. You cannot see any officer of the Government these days unless the peon outside his room is given a rupee note along with the visiting card. If you for- get the rupee note, the man goes round the building with the visiting card for an hour or more telling you at intervals that the "Saab is busy with someone else". If in an extravagant mood the stakes are in- creased to a note of two rupees, the officer is made available within a few minutes. We wonder whether the peon would actually throw the officer into our lap if we give the man a ten-rupee note with the visiting card. It is an experiment worth trying. But we do not grudge these poor, low-paid peons their rupee tips seeing that the subjects of the Nizam of Hyderabad have to pay three gold coins to see the Nizam's face in which there is nothing to see but greed, cunning and tyranny. With corruption prevalent everywhere, it is too much to expect film folks to lag behind in this game. Usually they are in the forefront of such enterprises. Of all the different professional communities in the film industry, the exhibitors have had the big- gest harvest of illegitimate profits due to war-time inflation and shortage of theatres. They fleeced both the producers and the public and slowed away millions in spite of Excess Profits Tax and the "vigilance" of the Income Tax authori- ties. We now reveal the various ways in which the exhibitors and their minions make money from day to day. Owing to a shortage of theatres producers are compelled to pay Rs. 4,000 per week as blackmarket bonus in cash to the theatre man (usually Rs. 24.000 in advance for a six weeks' run) in addition to an- other above-the-table guarantee of Rs. 4,000 per week. Which all means that a picture must collect at least Rs. 8,000 net per week after deducting the Entertainment Tax for the producer to get back his primary investment. Having got his Rs. 24,000 black money for six weeks' run, the exhibitor begins to pray that the pic- ture should flop completely during the Very first week so that he can swallow the black bonus without hav- ing to show the picture for six weeks as agreed upon. He knows that no producer will run a picture unneces- sarily by paying out of pocket, except of course V. Shantaram who is always anxious to get more weeks to his name than money into his hank. But the ex- hibitor doesn't stop at praying. His minions get go- ing with their nefarious activities no sooner the black bonus is paid. 15 SERVICE Exhibitors know they can rely upon CINEFONES Seivice for satisfactory installation of SIMPLEX equipment. Advice and Help when Emer- gencies arise and Prompt delivery of genuine Simplex Parts when needed. Simplex Quality will be main- tained under all conditions when it is "CINEFONES" Disiribitti d by : CINEFONES 3, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY 4. Grams : FONDCINE. Sonfh Agent CINE SUPPLIES 5th Main Rd., Gindhinagar, Bangalore City. Grams: FILMSOUND. „ February, 194$ It begins with the Pathan durwan who starts ■Ibowing and pushing the crowds about to the point >/ disgust and rnnoyance. When the crowds queue rp for tickets for hours in rain and sun, they rre sud- lenly told that all the tickets are cold out. The low- ;r class tickets are soon on the road in the hands of he theatre man's stooges for black marketing. The "Houre Full" board is soon put up with half if the theatre not sold and huge crowds outside cla- inouring for tickets. The starting bell is now rung to nake the crowds impatient and the advertisement lides are put on to create darkness for the dark leeds that follow. Now the door keepers, who usually work with he full consent and collaboration of the theatre Inanagcr, start collecting Rs 2|- per head in cash Lnd admit people into the auditorium without giving ihem a legal admisfion ticket. This procedure robs |he Government of the Entertainment Tax, the pro- ducers of their share of takings and provides a hand- pme day-to-day bonus to the theatre manager and .porkers and their black-marketing stooges. The theatre owner doesn't object because he is it the time digesting his own black market bonus while his expenses are guaranteed by the producer. Resides he would like the picture to go out much [•arier than the stipu'ated six weeks so that he can queeze the next producer a bit earlier. As this illegitimate business roars well in the arly crowded weeks of a new picture, a'l the theatre lands are anxious to have as many new pictures as >os-ible and as fast as they can come. There is hus a harmony of purpose between the theatre own- r and his theatre minions. It is, therefore, not surpri ing to hear the man vho se'ls the tickets telling you that all tickets are old when he has on hand half of the theatre empty. The doorkeepers, besides collecting the head tax •f Rs. 2|- per person, condemn the picture as rotten -nd not worth the trouble. The operator has more tricks up his sleeve than he average filmgoer can imagine. He has a lens on lis projector with which he can at regular intervals nake the picture look blurred and out of focus hereby straining the eyesight of the filmgoer. Then ie has the sound volume control, jmt as we have me on the household radio, with which the best re- ■orded song can be turned at will into an inaudib'e vhis-per or an ear-splitting screech. He does both iccording to his mood of the moment. Then again ie can permit the print of the picture to run over a ;procket and acquire dents all over the copy. If i producer becomes extra watchful or sensitive, the iperator takes a thin cloth with tiny stone particles ind with a'l obvious intention of cleaning the copy, >roduccs several running scratches on the picture. If in spite of all this, a picture runs well, the :eiling fans go out of order, the chairs produce bugs, FILMIND I A the exit doors get jammed and the manager becomes deaf and insolent. Add to ail this the sympathetic solicitude of rival producers who send goondas during early days to boo and throw even stones on the screen so that filmgoers may be too scared to see the picture. One producer rpecializes in sending a dozen strong 'ghati' women carrying their little babies — perhaps hired ones — who are pinched to cry loudly at the time when a popular song is sung. A dozen crying brats can ruin any show. A very well known producer has a gang of monkey boys who climb up the poles during dark hours and tear the street screens of rival producers. After a'l this crime in showmanship if a pic- ture runs twenty-five weeks at a theatre, then the theatre is either leased by the producer, as Shanta- raua did during the run of "Shakunta'a", or the pic- ture is purchased by the theatre owner as in the case of "Sindoor" at the Roxy. There is no third possibility. Itajen Haksar, a new-comer, teams with Paro in "Do Bhai", a picture of Filmttan. '7l. THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" "MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR*' Introducing the lo "MIRR SOUN A S< QUALI! QUALI SYSTI THE) NOW available ex stock EXCLUSl INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQl Phone: 20892. 17, NEW QUEEN'S RO| nited Genuine HONIC" SQUIPMENT L OF OUIPMENT" OUND DR EVERY * E t Theatres upto 5000 seats STRIBUTORS [NT CO., LTD., CMBAY4. Telegram SOUNDHEAD" MOTIOGRAPH-MIRROPHONIC I AMPLIFIER System RAITING RtLEASt M ROXY PH KANU rov Sfljfttt C- K IS WORE 5AWU AW4|r,NGRElEASfATNOm 4N0 /voiv CA$T "Asr£S I Ml RAMESI4 SAIC/ THEY ARE ALL FILMISTAN PICTURES AND A FILMISTAN PICTURE IS THE FILMGOER'S;FIRST.CHOICE (In ihij section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands if letters are received every month— some anxious onSS NIRMAL (Mercara) Can decontrol help when there is food shortage? It will help those that sell, not those that need. iSHI KUMARI (Kotah) What is blind faith? That the Congress Ministers will turn India into a land of gold and happiness. ' If goondas are let loose on you, how would you *come them? They can't kill me twice. Can they? The two Mumtazes, Shanti and AH appear to be dis- cussing some naughty problem in "Padmini", a Pun- jab Film Corporation picture produced by Walli Saheb. Did you ever enjoy in a fools' paradise? If so, when? / have been in it twenty-five years and it has been such an air-tight place that intelligence couldn't peep even through the key hole. What is fair deal in politics? That is one field in which you never have a fair deal. Will you accept Xmas greetings in Independent India? Oh yes! Even more than Idd, the Xmas be- longs to us because it symbolizes the birth of Christ who preached love. KRISHNA MOHAN SAHAY (Ranchi) You published that every evening you go to the cinema. Do you pay for the ticket or do you go free? / had to pay even for "Gvalan", the pic- ture I wrote, produced and directed. Mine is a thankless life. RATAN CHAND (Jodhpur) What would be the fate of the film industry in Pakistan? Precisely the same as that of Pakistan I want to come to Bombay in the near future. So please mention the scenes worth seeing in the film industry and the city? In the city ice have the Zoo with half-a- lion and $th of a tiger. In the film industry you can meet Chhotu Desai, the president of the producers. MERCHANT F. H. (Bombay) Please tell honestly with what feelings you 27 Romantically yours— R EH AN A Delightfully yours— V. H. DESAI Musically yours— MUMTAZ ALI Motherly yours— m LEELA MISHRA and Mischievously yours— RADHAKISHEN ★ JAWAHAR KAUL * TIWARI * RAMSINGH * MONA ★ SHANTA KUNWAR * NEELUM * BABA RAJA * RAJ ADIB * W A. KHAN * KAMALRaNI * CHANDRAMUKHI * INDIRA * GHOSH * CHANCHAL KUVIAR1 ★ PRAMODE * USHA ★ ZOHARA BEGUM * DESHRAJ * TIWARI (Jr.) * KALPANA * SHREENATH and a HUNDRED other faces ! They are all behind KHIDKI The merriest mirthquake of the century Written, produced and directed SANTOSHI JlfiiRic'. Photography C. RAMCHANDRA CHANDU Particulars : Arvind & Anand I 361, VITHALBHAI PATEL ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Territorial ftp*/* far C. P. & C L:- KALYAN PICTURES LTD., AMRAOTI South:- L. S. IYER, 185, Gandhinagar, BANGALORE Delhi, IT, P. and E. Punjab:- CENTRAL TALKIES CIRCUIT, Chandni Chowk, DELHI Bengal :• AMBIKA FILM EXCHANGE, 54, Bentinck Street, CALCUTTA. M-uary, 1948 ^uld accept a photo of Morarji Desai as a new pr present from me? Morarji looks like a Buddhist bhikku to • me with his close crop and custere look. Why begin the new year with this "law and order'' calendar? ? ASU.MKUMAR R. GANGULY (Jodhpur) Which community has suffered the most in Ise riots and who do you think will still suffer in I coming riots in the future? Only those who have something to lose, those who live on loot hcve nothing to lose. PORAN CHANDRA PANDEY (Lucknow) What type of state do you think India will de- fop itself into ultimately, secular or sacerdotal? It will be secular ultimately though today I communalism has taken the highest price from I the nation. £L. TALREJA (Bangalore) | As a Hindu why don't you have cows instead niogs? You will get fresh milk every day! / can buy milk but not loyalty. iim R. MEHTA (Jodhpur) | Mrs. Sarojini Naidu during a recent speech at La said that "women are not the weaker sex but ■desses of power". Do you agree with Her Ex- fccncy? Every one agrees with Her Excellency. 13. SETH (Nairobi) I Why do the Hindus raise a hue and cry for ■.du-Mus.im unity when no similar steps are tak- ■ by the Muslims? Muslims believe in converting Hindus to I Islam, while Hindus want good wiglibourho^d. lylaxmi gefs her first stellar role in Firdaus Art Productions' maiden picture "Shanti". FILMINDIA Kamini Kaushal plays the lead in "Do Bhai" a social story of Filmistan Ltd. O. P. JHUNJHUNWALA (Alsisar) When is love legal and when is it illegal? When the home ministers of both sides wink at it, it is legal. When they stare, it is illegal. S. K. MUKERJI (Jubbulpore) What do the cat eyes of a woman signify? An obvious proof of her species. If a medical practitioner of country wide repute can become the governor of a province, is it not possible for a famous critic to become one? The plums of life never go to critics. They are reserved for clappers. MOHAN CHANDRA MISRA (Lucknow) At what age must a man get married? Three months after he gets a flat and gets it furnished. That is a fairly reliable age consi- dering the protection of the Rent Act. How should one create romance? 'I ake two hearts and beat them together and the omelette of romance is ready. SURESH (New Delhi) Is it due to our non-violent fight against Impe- rialism or the force of circumstances that the Bri- tishers have withdrawn from India? Non-violence never frightened the British. Britain has become a third-rate power and a third-rate nation can't rule 400 million rebels. 29 APMI CHHAYA" The year's most colourful saga of conflict between GOLDEN PRINCIPLES and LEADEN INSTINCTS Story, dialogue, songs & direction SANTOSHI the name that spells SENSE spiced with a little NONSENSE! Starring : SULOCHANA CHATTERJI, BALWANT SINGH and RADHAKISHEN Wl th DULARI, Miss MONA, JAWAHAR KAUL, RAMSINGH, Narmada Shankar, Babu Raja, Miss Neelum, SAJJAN & Tl WAR I Music: Pt. Husanlal Bhagat Ram Particulars : CHITRALAYA LIMITED 25, Victoria Building, Parsee Bazar Street, Fort, BOMBAY. Northern Circuit, NDIAN UNION PICTURES Chandni Chowk, DELHI. February, 1948 FILM INDIA The way she is staring Khurshid (Jr.) is probably missing her "Bichhade Balam'' in the Ranjit picture of that name. K. NAGESH RAO (Bombay) Is marriage a bed of roses? On the first night when they spread roses on the bed without the thorns. From next morn- ing married people grow their own roses and thorns. !MRS. BEEMGONI (Belgaum) Why was Omar Khayyam the only Persian poet Ito be translated so freely into English? Omar Khayyam was not a poet, he was an astronomer. He wrote verses of his Sufi philo- sophy as a hobby and Fitzgerald made him a poet. Actually Fitzgerald must be considered a greater poet than Khayyam. Don't you agree that whatever form of govern- Iment we may have, the moneyed class always rules? Xot always, though it is ruling at present. Let us prey it WOrCt be for long. IB. THAN1R (Jodhpur) Mow do you spend your holidays? Working. \. S. RAHIMTOOLA (Bombay) Hey. you Banjara! Why do you stick to Bom- Kay instead of travelling? I shall shift shortly if my doctor is not a liar. [r. VINAYA KUMAR (Kurdwadi) "Filmindia" is one of the very few Indian ma- gazines which escape the printer's devil. How do you manage that? My wife is a witch doctor. She chases out the printer's devil every month. A. W. JALILI (Melvisharam) Is the doctrine of socialism advocated by the Indian socialists a real and constructive plan of healthy social reconstruction? The doctrine is all right but the doctors are sick and hungry souls and grudge the feed which others get. There is little to choose be- tween the right and the left of the Congress in so far as the ruled ones ere concerned. MRS. SUBHADRABAI PARKHI (Poona) Can one become a good actor without being good-looking? Almost all our present-day actors are ugly ducklings. Rs. 500 - IN 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH The following prizes are awarded every month for questions which are considered inte- resting or elicit interesting replies in the "Edi- tor's Mail". 1st Prize: Rs. 100j-; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80 -• 3rd Prize: Rs. 50J-; 4th Prize: Rs. 40-; 5th Prize: Rs. 30 - and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs 101- each. ' A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. Questions should be neatly written or typed if possible. Unless the letters are signed they won't be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor's decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no cor- respondence will be entertained. The names of the prize-winners will be an- nounced in "filmindia" every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Order. PRIZE WINNERS FOR FEBRUARY 1st Prize: Rs. 100;- to A. B. Natesan (Ma- danapalle); 2nd Prize Rs. 80 - to A M K Sun- daram (Madras); 3rd Prize Rs. 50- to Shashi Kumari (Kotahi; 4th Prize Rs. 40|- to A R Butt (Karachi.; 5th Prize Rs. 30 - to Bulo T Harisin- ganey (Thana. and 20 consolation prizes of Rs 10- each to the following:— M. U. Pai (Bombay)- T. R. Gurbuxani (Bikaner); Anant Rao (Rai- churt; Ganga Prasad Mishra (Ba. Fiji)- A De- varatnam (Bangalore); M. H. Rodrigue's (Kan- pun; N. Venkatesan (Negapatam); Nari H Da- swani (Bombay); Ratan Chand (Jodhpur)- Merchant F. H. (Bombay); Prasumkumar R Ganguly (Jodhpur); C. L. Talreja (Bangalore)- S. K. Mukerji ( Jubbulpore) ; Mohan Chandra Misra (Lucknow); K. Nagesh Rao (Bombay. • Mrs. Beemgoni (Belgaum); T. Vinaya Kumar (Kurduwadi); Pooran Chandra Pandey (Luck- now.; Ishwar V. Mahbubani (Bombay, and Ami Kumar Roy (Purnea). Money Orders are being sent to all the prize winners. 31 See - - - The merry Misadventures of a MAIDEN in the MAIDEN SOCIAL of Await Announcement SANTOSHI PRODUCTIONS 35, ei-.oJbtnJer Roa.J, MALAD, BOM3AY. OUR REVIEW "Bhakta Dhruv" Proves A Popular Picture ! Traditional Story Draws Crowds! BHAKTA DHRUV Producers: Prakash Pictures Language: Hindi Story: Shivram Washikar Songs: Pt. Indra & Moti Music: S. Vyas Cinematography : G. N. Shirodkar Aud:ography: L. J. Bhatt Cast: Shashi Kapoor, Mridula, Jeevan, Shanta Rin, Ramesh Sinha, Leela Misra etc. Released At: Opera House, Bombay Date of Release: 24th Octo- ber 1947 Directed By: SHANTI KUMAR Prakash seem to have done it again with "Bhakta Dhruv" — we mean the production trick of giv- ing both a popular and pleasant picture. "Dhruv" is a good picture with the traditional story, treated in a conventional manner without of- fending anyone and as such worth seeing by the young and the old, and particularly by the God-bit- ten Hindu masses. GOD AND DEVOTEE STUFF The story is usual. A king has a good but barren queen. The people insist on the king marrying again. As there was no Congress Ministry in power then, no one objected to the king's crime of bigamy. The second wife is by nature a good woman but she has a bad maid. This maid creates all the trouble throughout the story. As fate would have it, the first queen gets a son who is called Dhruva and the second queen gets hers later on, called Uttam. The inevitable Narad is shown as toying with human lives on earth to prove some philosophic principle to the gods in the clouds. Hindu gods always live in the clouds. Narad makes several ap- pearances setting up things and fixing up quarrels. The second queen, instigated by her maid, acts the traditional step- mother and makes Dhruva's life unhappy and risky. Dhruva ul- timately sits under an artificial tree in the Prakash studio and they drop a lot of water over him and throw a lot of dry leaves at him with the help of a fan. After all this, he comes out of his 'tapasya' and meets an ugly- looking Vishnu and thus becomes a saint. After a while he meets his people and in their presence he is pulled up stiff and straight, through the clouds, to heaven per- haps or wherever Hindu gods live. That takes one good lad up to the clouds and gives one more idol for worship to the Hindus. FAMILY ENTERTAINER The production values of the picture are quite attractive. Shan- ti Kumar has done his job pretty well, though the cameraman's trick shots do not help him much. The music of the picture is com- pletely dull and unattractive. The sets are quite impressive. From the players Shashi Kapoor looks a good Dhruva and gives a mechanical performance. The other boy Laxman who plays Uttam has a bit of life in him but he is left severely alone. Jeevan looks too ugly a Narad. From the women Leela Misra does her job well as Kumati, the maid. One wonders why a bad woman should be additionally given a bad name like "Kumati". Inversely, it should then mean that all Sumatis must be good women 1 Shanta Rin looks fat and flab- by as Suruchi and moreover has nothing to do except spitting out dialogue. That "nocy" woman Mridula looks almost repulsive and hideous as Rani Suniti. She doesn't act and creates laughter particularly when she distends her nostrils in emotional situa- tions. Ramesh Sinha is good as the king, though he should have been given a little more scope. "Dhruv" should prove a popu- lar picture for the masses. There is enough to see in it particularly with the mist of devotion in the Hindu eyes. It is a good family entertainer. Saroj Borkar is at her old fame in "Adalat", produced by Manga) Pictures. 13 WITH THE DAWN » PEOPLE'S raj .. INDIA NAYAN TAR A, SAPRU Supported By:- PREMKANT ★ DAR KASHMIRI ★ HIRA SAWANT ★ GIRDHARI ★ AMINABAI K ARE OUT TO PLAY THE BIGGEST GESTURE OF THE TIMES FOR SPARKLINQ HINDI SOCIAL meho\v Ardeshir Irani presents Iris picture as a producer — for ie first time after his insolvency !-and one wonders whether Pujari" has been a medium of irae financial transaction be- veen Ardeshir and the Ranjit |irdar. Whatever that be, "Pujari" is > rotten show which bores one iroughout its length. WRONGLY INTERPRETED The story of "Pujari" is the sua! concoction. It is a Dev- |asi yarn with the Prince Charm- ig round the corner and God aiting in heaven to do his mira- |e turn when Walli reaches his irnax. The Ranjit writers have lis time brought down the god- ess — Mrs. Vishnu — to dance for ie mortal. The goddess, how- k'er, is so ugly that she becomes bpd advertisement for heaven Good Performance! and shakes all human faith in gods and goddesses. Guru Mahanand is a pujari of a temple to which he has dedicat- ed his only daughter, Punrima. who dances to the fanatical beat of Mahanand's drum. Mahanand is evidently a devoted worship- per with all the fanaticism we find in devotees of the Bengali goddess. Probably Bipin Gupta, who plays this role, being himself a Kali worshipper has lent to the role his natural fanaticism for his own goddess. The idols of the gods shown in the picture, however, did not call for the fanatical devotion usually given to Kali. Chandika and to other Sheiviie cults. To this ex- tent, therefore, the spirit of wor- ship, as portrayed by Mahanand. was entirely wrong. But it is stupid to expect such subtle dis- tinctions in spiritual interpreta- tions from the Ranjit group of directors to whom any round stone with two dents is a Hindu god. PRINCE CHARMING ARRIVES Purnima grows into an attrac- tive woman and as Walli would have it, she does attract the at- tention of Rajkumar, the Prince Charming of the story. Rajku- mar's heart soon starts keepino; time with the dizzy rhvthm of Purninoa's feet. He psks "Mahan- and for Purnima's hand but is peremptorily refused by the fanatic pujari who wants his daughter to remain a dedicated flower at the altar of god, in spite of a prophesy that she would be- come the queen of the land. Rajkumar doesn't lose his tem- per with his heart and decides to get Punrima by subterfuge. He changes his costume and becomes a foreign poet wanting to write poetry for Purnima and manages to hve as ft guest in Mahnnand's liou.-e. Though Rajkumar was a popular guy in h\< ]and and though both Purnima and Maha- nand had seen him several times no one recognises him as such probably because he wore Ran- jit clothes which changed the vision of the father and the daughter completely. Bpsides, one must see these things with Director Aspi's Irani intelligence. Punrima and Rajkumar soon start their love game of hide and seek and the climax is rushed by Rajkumar'a dyinp; father who nrald not die quietly without see- ing his son married to some ore. A conventional royally capari- soned bride is soon chosen and Who says India is not progressing? Here is a romantic situation from 'Piya Ghar Aja", a romantic story of Ranjit. 47 JTILMINDIA February, 1948 the marriage day announced. But Rajkumar marries Purnima on the quiet and his old boy dies in de£pair. GODS IN ACTION Now there is a war, an un- necessary one of course. But Aspi likes wars because they take him outdoors and away from home. So Walli makes the father of the proposed bride feel insulted and he spits out the usual Rajput ta'k and goes to war with our hero who had after all only mar- ried a girl whom he loved so deeply. Before going to war, however, Rajkumar takes a promise from Purnima that she would not, go and dance again in the temple. This doesn't suit the pujari who goes on a hunger strike exhaust- ing himself unnecessarily by shouting at the gods. All this puts the gods in a fix. They always get that way in mo- tion pictures and begin worrying about their devotees on earth. The male god has to save Ma- hanand. his male devotee, while the goddess has to look after Purnima and her future harmony with her husband. With gods so badly perplexed we soon repch a climax in which the goddess becomes Purnima and dances in the temple to induce the pujari to break his fast while the god has to asrume the like- ness of the hero and save Purnima from immolating herself in the fire. Once the gods come down to earth, it all ends well but the gods, that make the motion pic- ture a success, did not somehow go to the box-offices even with the other Irani as the official pujari of Laxmi. ERRATIC PRODUCTION As is usual with Ranjit pic- tures, the production values are erratic. The technical work is haphazard. Walli's songs have a better phonetic value than Indra's but in theme there is little to choose between the two. A cou- ple of tunes are definitely at- tractive but the songs are so in- differently shot, that they don't capture the fancy of the audience. Aspi's direction is as bad and poor as in his previous pictures. He should not be given philoso- phic social pictures. They seem to go beyond his ken. From the players Bipin Gupta gives a good performance as '"Mahanand ', once you reconcile yourself with the wrong spiritual interpretation of the role. In emotional situations he turns the other artistes into poor meat. Bipin is, however, inclined to be a bit stagy even in fanaticism which in itself is a showy and fiery emotion. Mumtaz Shanti gives a couple of graceful dances, which look more graceful because of Bhima- bai's smart drapery, and puils hei weight as well as she can undo] Aspi's direction. The rest remain just the rest. The whole picture is one loni boring experience and even witl Ardeshir Irani presenting it, th« picture must be considered a ven, risky packet to the exhibitors. | THE AURORA PRODUCTIONS LIMITED Forthcoming Gorgeous Production PRISONER OF DELHI (in Hindi and Marathi Versions) WITH AN ALL STAR CAST A scene from Prisoner of Delhi Hindi Dialogue & Songs by: J. S. Casshyap Man- centratjd filammt typ; projection lamp, Air blast cooled, r wo opjruing speeds, 1 6 or 24 frames per second, 4JJ fiim capacity. KEYSTONE 8 SPECIAL FEATURES: Interchangeable Lens Mcunt, Visual and Ayible Foctage Indicate r, 3 Speeds, lacking device fcr self phctcgrjphs, Built-in leng range prcclslcn View Finder, Push buttcn rclc.se handily lecated, Colcr & B. and W. Film Price Rs. 407/-. do- easy and\ So cheap... }\ 193 Hornby Road, BOMBAY. also at Calcutta, Madras, Lahorj. New Oalhi *Nj» York. 52 ebruary, 1948 FILM INDIA Producer K. B. Lall managed to get so many of them to give an imprc:sive dance number in "Samrat Ashok". nsors has cancelled the certifi- e issued to Shalimar Pictures' a "Mun-ki-Jeet" in 1944, the verninent of the United Pro- ices have also banned the exhi- ion of the picture. This is the. =t instance of inter-provincial"' operation and consistency. VHAT PRICE MOUSTACHE! New York, Jan. 4. * The first insurance taken out on llm artiste's moustache is the! • just effected by film star Frank rgan who has bought a policy *2,500|- from Lloyds on his y moustache and wavy hair. )ne of the conditions of the in- ancc is that Morgan must have hair cut regularly by a respon- e Hollywood barber. He was ) required to undergo a medi- / examination. jj\ AND NOW BENGAL Calcutta, Jan. 13. We have achieved freedom to make our boys stupid and girls naughty by showing these erican films. The cinema is not nake our society filthy. It .lid be a powerful instrument I the education of our people '„ the right lines", said a respon- 3 officer of the Provincial Gov- nent of West Bengal who in- Is to impose rigorous censor- ship on the presentation of U. S. Films in that province. STARRING NOVELIST j New York, Jan. 4. ' Somerset Maugham, 73-year old well-known British novelist, will shortly be making his first ap- pearance as a film star. Five short stories have been made out from this great novelist's numerous works during the last 50 years and the film produced from them is to be called "Quintet". The film will be introduced by Somerset Maugham who will also provide linking commentary after each story. "Quintet" is expected to run for nearly three hours. GANDHIJI IN CELLULOID Bombay. Dec. 18. A full length feature film of the biography of Mahatma Gandhi, produced and directed by Dr. P. V. Pathy will shortly be released for public exhibition. The novelty of this picture lies in the fact that Mahatma Gandhi, the principal actor in the picture, was not sub- ject to the direction of the direc- tor. The picture deals with numer- ous important events of the life of the Mahatma and though many reels look like a piecing together of scraps from a picture album, it is a record of events of great his- torical value. Gandhiji is seen in the picture in South Africa with Husna provides an attractive argument in Gita Pictures1 social "Dilwale". 53 LIGHT HOUSE PRODUCTIONS' flRMUS ARf PR0DU(TtOif Cn*t: * SMRITI * PRAN * RAMESH * BEGUM PARVEEN * NAZAR * SALEEM RAZA & DURGA MOTA Prodm ed by : G. A. THAKUR VIJAYA LAXMI ★ A F Z A L * SUNALINI DEVI * Directed by : S. U. SUNNY CONTACT T H E H C R K E N S Shanti Sadan, French Bridjre, BOMBAY T. February, 1948 FILM INDIA ttecruit Surendra Kumar of 110. hew Blocks, Meerut Co lege, Mee- ut has played many stage roles in pllege dramatics and is an under- graduate who can sing. (lokhale. at the Jalirnwala Bagh. the Dandi March, at the Se- :rad Round Table Conference in Midon and finally rt Delhi on |ie memorable August 15, 1947. A )ng Hindi commentary with aatches of English (and even |'rench in one place) explains the igeant of events on the screen. PATRIOTISM Prris, Jan. 5. The police charged a crowd of ■veral thousand film stars and ?hnicians for blocking traffic yesterday in the Place de la Re- publique. Several persons were injured and nearlv a dozen arrest- ed. The demonstration of the crowd was made against the France- American Film Importation Agree- ment which reserves only four out of 13 weeks in French cinemas for showing French films. The rest, of course, are misappropriated by the Americans. STRIKE ENDS Bombay. Jen. 1 The Government of Bombay having ordered adjudication of the dispute between the workers and the management of the local Me- tro cinema, the 87 workers of the cinem? who had gone on strike from December 20 have resumed work from yesterday. FORGOT THEMSELVES! Rome, Dec. 21. Four persons were injured dur- ing the shooting of a scene of mob rioting for the film "Cagliostro" in which Orson Welles is playing the title role. The scene was that of a mass battle ?t an eighteenth century gypsy fair and was to start with a fire and end with the complete destruction of the fair built on the lee of the famous old church of St. John and St. Peul. L*. Col. Naval Gandhi is easily the most enterprising producer of documentaries we have in the country. His laiest, "The Story of Kashmir," is likely to be sent to America as vivid evidence of what the "raiders'' are doing to Kashmir. The hundred-odd actors and ex- tras who were to play in it had been so worked up to the spirit of the battle that when the fire began and the cavalry charged, the cast began to riot in earnest. In India our extras don't remem- ber what they are doing. Safer Motoring on the World's Leading Tyre Ttre$font THE ONLY GUM-DIPPED TYRE 55 o|| el Your Favourite Stars This time brighter and better IN THE YEAR'S MOST EXCITING DRAMA A motion picture of unusual grip, gags and mehdies Featuring :- BHARAT BHUSHAN, GEETA, INDU PAUL, BEENA PAL, KESARI, Pt. RATAN PIYA, RAVINDRA AND SAPRU iij \mr Proc/ucec/ & Pirecfec/ 6y -K.B.IALL SHAMS LMMAW * GVAN OUT 7 335 B. MEher ,,, " GRANT Road Rn UA OQ5 ( This is the render's forum — as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-eoer, evtry one can write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publithits will pay R*. 5'- Letters should be signtd and mat ked " Hoes And Fchocs". Photographs of the readers will be published along with thtir letters, if convenient. — The Editor.) PILGRIMS ALL "The other day I went to see Shanta ram's ".Teevan Yatra" at the local Prabhat. The picture turned out to be the rottenest show I've seen this year and easily one of the worst pictures I ever had the misfortune to witness. "The story is simply ridiculous and the innumerable coincidences stretch one's imagination to 'ho utmost. Tho-e is not even a sing'e moment of intellectual relief in ifs 11.110 feet of boredom. The new girl Nayrn Tara is the most an- aemic rctrcss t^a* has ever ap- peared on the Indian screen. In addition she has a hunch back paid her fa^e disnlavs numerous wrink'es. Either she is over forty years or she is a sicklv girl. What- ever she is. it is most shocking to r^ad this dame being boosted as the "vogue of the screenland." She dees not possess even rn atom of acting talent. Her diction is awful and everything about her is miserable. "Baburro Pendharkar plays the role of a robber chieftain and in doing so keeps his dialogue well inside his mouth lest we come to know how to become a goonda ring leader. He simplv murders the beautiful Hindustani language and makes it sound worse than Tamil. Janki Da?s in the role of a bookworm keeps wondering why he took up to screen acfing at the cost of cycling. Only Ya- kub, at places gives a good per- formance. The music of the pic- ture reminds us of the screeches which we hear when a heavy pl- mirah is being pulled. The photo- graphy of the picture is so du'l that I often wondered whether all these incidents took place between 7 p.m. and 5 am "The most shocking thing in the picture, however, is that Ya- kub has a scrape with a robber, for the hand of the o'd maid, and throws him over a cliff. We are fhown the man covering at least 3.000 feet of the atmosphere be- fore landing. When Yaqub is tak- en away to be beheaded for push- ing this goonda. he turns up with a eoup'e of bandages. Everyone in the picture house (there were hardly 20 in the balconv seats, and it was on-y the second weekl gasped for breath and were stun- ned to see mirae'es being perform- ed in this atomic age. "In short, the whole picture can best be described by this one word "stupid." To go to see ".Teevan Yatra" is to go on a pilgrimage of stupidity. This picture is a crving shame for Shantarpm who s+vles himse'f as India's greatest direc- tor and is cal'ed a master erpfts- man and a wizard of motion pic- ture production by umpteen paid pipers. This is the fifth- successive flop from tlm one time great di- rector r.nd I am afraid many more 'kalas' are under production at the KaUnmandir Studio." T*. A'. Fczhtr Rahman. BANGALORE. NOTHING SURPRISES ME! "You will be surprised to note the rates of admission in English cinemas of Delhi. In matinee shows the rates are 1-2, 2-4, 3-6 and in the evening shows, the same are 2-4, 3-6 and so on. Even in Bombay the premier city of India, the exhibitors do not charge so much. Just imagine a person go- ing for an evening show having to spend 2-4 which is the minimum." Nana1 Kumar Bhatia. MATHURA. OUR LOSS "Meerut is one of the largest towns of U.P. and its importance is increasing daily. There are ci- nema houses here showing Hindu- stani pictures but it is a pity that not one of them is up to the standard of being visited by gen- tlemen. The projectors pre all old and to the utter disgust of the vi- sitors, sometimes fail in the midst of the show. The seating arrange- ment is so hopeless, that rotten wooden chairs are supplied in the one rupee class. The sound equip- ment in some cinemas is so bad that it is hard to distinguish be- tween a man and a woman's voice. Nargis does not seem to be appreciating what Violet and Sunalini Devi propose in "Romeo and Juliet", a Nargis Art picture to be released through Diamond Pictures. 61 FILMINDI A Recruit A. R. N. Rajan of C 3 272, Lodhi Road, New Delhi is 24, 5'-8" and says he can sing very well. "In fact, a man who seeks some entertainment in Meerut cinemas is wholly disappointed. Bad Indian pictures and bad halls combine to create complete boredom with the result that people feel inclined to spend their hard-earned money in seeing foreign pictures, because there they get better entertain- ment". MEERUT. Vishnu Dot Tiwari. I DO BUT — '"Nowadays you are not review- ing South Indian pictures and thus deprive the producers of your really valuable and effective criti- cism. Most of the South Indian films exhibit such obscene scenes in their pictures to attain box office success that they justify the con- viction of the older generation for spoiling and poisoning the young minds. "Unless a powerful film jour- nal like the '"filmindia" takes up the matter, there is no salvation for these South Indian pictures. Will you, therefore, review at least one South Indian picture every month and do something to im- prove their quality? I am sure that you care for the improve- ment of the (ihn industry in India as a whole whether in the South or in the North." ANANTAPUR. K. Krishna Iyer ASK VALLABHBHAI "We receive education because February, Today, visual education is playing a vitally important part in instructing, informing and fortifying the younger generation for the difficult tasks ahead. Educators in schools and universities, business men, industrialists and many others are using visual training more and more as- one of the most efficient aids to learning. As the pioneer of visual education, DeVry has origi- nated and perfected the portable motion picture projector. The new 16 mm sound-on-film projector incorporates the latest improvements, which make it ideally suited for proiection in the class room, assembly hall or auditorium. Simple in design and construc- tion the DeVry is most reasonably priced and measures up to theatre standards in performance. A limited number of DeVry 16 mm sound- projectors is avail- able immediately Sole Agents in India : ELECTRONICS LTD. •CO N NAUGHT PLACE, NEW DELHI. 62 (February, 1948 FILM INDIA It helps us to widen our outlook and enrich our minds. I suppose dl will agree when I say that "in ■ducat ion the cinema can play a tremendous part. The suhjects ivhich are taught in the class- •ooms, if screened, will have a greater effect on our young minds, )ccause 'man prefers to look ra- iher than to listen'. For the pro- luction of such educational and ■ultural films we naturally look jo our producers. But their past ecord disillusions us. Besides hese films would not be able to |arn for them "tons and more !ons" of money. But our National Government can produce such Urns p.nd exhibit them free of [ost. Will they?" B. Chakravctrty. CASGANJ (Etah) SUCKERS ALL! I "On every Sunday morning. lew Delhi cinemas exhibit Hin- dustani pictures. In spite of the I act that these pictures are too Id, the gentry of New Delhi go lb these clean and hygenic halls ||jr entertainment. I, too. with my I pur friends went to see 'Dil', a 'azli Brothers' hit, featuring Nur ehan, in Plaza, a local cinema. (In the 16th November 1947. It f las an utter surprise to note that iA'0 complete reels were missing in the said film and the show was over in a very short time. How to get rid of these blood-sucking ca- pitalists. .Mr. Patel?" NEW DELHI. Sushil C. Jain. WISE SUGGESTION "A lot of confusion arises by not numbering seats in a cinema house. Last year. I had occasion to ventilate my grievance through the columns of "filmindia" and I suggested that cinema managers should not allow people to tie 'kerchiefs or rags to the seats and "reserve" the seats. "The other day while viewing a picture at the "Aurora", I had to exchange hot words with a 'gentle- man' who had tied a 'kerchief on two chairs and said "these are re- served for my friends." Even after the show had commenced, none of his 'friends' turned up, and I called the doorkeeper who asked the gentleman to remove the rags. The gentleman threaten- ed the doorkeeper with dire con- sequences and the poor man sub- sequently did not persist in his argument to get the rag removed. "The only way out of such awkward situations is for the ci- nema house managers to number every seat." BOMBAY. //. S. W&rayan. Anjum in Ranjit's 'Bichhade Ba lam", a social picture. DON'T WONDER—SHOUT! "Three or four years have passed since a touring talkie named Imperial Cinema has by some mysterious ways establish- ed itself permanently in Kamn- tee. The irony of it is that it still continues to operate in a tempo- rary structure. Looking at the problem from the cinema point of view and that too in the inte- rest of educational propaganda, one begins to wonder whether the installation of a temporary struc- ture justifies the description, touring talkie. ;\nd thereby evade the payment of a much higher tax imposed on permanent structures. Moreover, Kamptee not being a very thickly populated area, does not need more than two talkies to cater for its cinema going public. When there are already two per- manent cinemas functioning, how can one justify the need for the continued existence of such tour- ing talkies? "I Wonder how the municipal committee at Kamptee could al- low such a touring talkie of a purely temporary structure to land close to the already existing two cinemas which have been nicely built and are of a perma- nent structure." Shri Gulab Sinqh. KAMPTEE, (t.'.P.) 63 FILM INDIA THEY SHOULD "Almost all the cinemas in Tn- dore have not enough space for keeping cycles and the enclosures have no shed and the cycles are exposed to rein and sun. When there is a crowded show people are not allowed to take in the cycles unless all the cycles of the previous show are cleared. Much time is wasted thus and we often mi s some portion of the picture and it becomes h?.rd to find a seat, as the best of the seats are occupied by non-cyclists. Some- times we have to exchange our tickets for higher class for want of seats. Don't you think thp.t the exhibitors should make some sa- tisfactory arrangements for park- ins: the cycles?" INDORE. Firoz J. Bode. PAYING SOME DAY "An unhappy episode took place at the IocpJ Swastik Talkies in which the furniture and other property were broken and greatly damaged. Thank God! one of our white-capped Ministers arrived in time to restore peace. "Even though we condemn such unruly acts, we cannot entirely sympathise with the theatre own- er?. Their one aim seems to be "to get rich quick" at the expense of cinecoers. It is really a scandal which no sp.ne man of a free na- tion could tolerate any longer. "The theatre owners are too avariciou*. They enhance the rates of the tickets by 100% and increase the number of septs in an alreadv crowded theatre allow- ing the filmcoers to ?o to do«S. Thev are under the delusion that fools rush in where angels fear to trepd. "It is high time that the thea- tre owners should look to the comforts of the filmgoers for hav- ing sni'eezed their hard-earned i"n"ov." BANGALORE. C. 8. N. Murthy DON'T ASK "WHY' ! "Lucknow, these days has a b'ack market flood. Even the pic- tnro houses have been overflnod- cd by it. Here in every Hindi picture house it is a common siaht to see the tickets selling at black market prices. People form a long (A queue daily to purchase tickets and wait at the window for hours and hours in the sun and even in the rpins. But often many of them have to return disappointed. "Just then the pet dogs of these picture house-owners emerge out with their cry "Ten and half anna February, 194j wala for fourteen annas." The Po lice is posted there generally. Bu these police men are blind ?n deaf for they also get cuts in thi business. I do not know why th police and these cinema ownei indulge in such mean practice." LUCKNOW. A. Shanker La FAVRE-LEUBA & CO..LTD. BOMBAY & CALCUTT February, 1948 FILM INDIA It is a nice after-wadding pose Mukhtar in "Toote Tare", a social taken by Shamim and Sheikh story of Omar Khayyam Pictures. CHEATS, ALL! "The other day I had the sad ijmisfortune of seeing Mohan Sin- La's '1857'. Even though I have a predilection for historical pictures il am really scared of such histori- rals which have nothing of his- tory in them. '1857' is not a his- torical record of the First War of pur Independence popularly call- Ed the 'Great Mutiny' but merely i love story of a romantic young .ouple; nobody would even dare [to believe the theme. The picture I s badly directed and its music is i j'ar from being satisfactory. "I cannot understand as to why Home directors delight in giving [us rotten pictures under wrong !ind attractive labels. It is no- thing short of cheating, I think." CAWNPORE. Shosi Datt. WELL, CENSORS ! "It is a pleasure to note that |lhe Censors are working relent- lessly and conscientiously to de- fete such portions from our Urns which are filthy and consti- ute an insult to our cultural he- itage and social conventions and || |hus save millions from being driv- n into the morass of vulgarity ind bestiality. "I gather from the editorial of October's "filmindia" that a part of the scene of Pfabhat's "Aage Badho" immediately after the song sung by the dancing girl where she is shown collecting cur- rency notes offered to her by cus- tomers has been cut. "I, therefore, feel called upon to point out that exactly similar incidents have escaped deletion in Mehoob's "Elan", the most im- moral picture of the year. There is a scene where a boy of hardly ten years is shown offering a sil- ver coin to a dancing girl of near- ly eight years in a dance-gather- ing arranged by him only, with such a greedy look in his eyes as it he were the master of all licen- tious practices. These incidents are repeated a, dozen times in "Elan" and I am sure that if the Censors mete out justice to all, "Elan" would be nowhere." Mrs. Sharda Devi Awasthi KANPUR IDIOTIC AND _ ! "Is it not idiotic on the part of Shaukat Hussain to have shown Nurjehan win a huge sum of Rs. 50,000 in "Jugnu" by solving the Crossword puzzles of the Illustrat- ed Weekly, — a sum which no Competitor has been awarded hitherto in the long career of the Illustrated Weekly Competition?" BANGALORE S. P.Vasudev Rao Wasti uses an odd statue to pres-ant his intentions to Sulochana Chat- terjee in "Sham Savera", a social story. 65 ■ FOR PARTICULARS, SHANTI PICTURES 34, Laloobhai Mansion, Vincent Road, Dadar, BOMBAY 14. 1 & T. FILMS LTD. (Bombay) This new concern comes into ustence at a time which is de- t itely a critical period in the Uory of the Indian film indus- t>. Combining all the three 1 inches of the industry, produc- im. distribution and exhibition ( pictures in its activities, the (icern also sponsors producers \th finances. They have started equipping fcir own newly built studio with t? latest available machinery fd shooting of pictures sponsor- c by them is constantly going on I the studio. Meanwhile discriminate selec- tn is being made by the chief i?cutives of the company, of f table subjects for their own pductions and in doing so full i ention is being paid to relevant emails. It is the ambition of the i:nagement to develop the con- (rn into an ideal concern in all itpects conducted on the most r>derh scientific lines. 1MOUS PICTURES LTD Bombay ) JTheir latest release "Seedha ljsta", a Prabhat Film Co. pro- motion produced by S. Fatchlal aid directed by Vasant Painter re become very popular in Poona Mere it appears to have settled ds-n for a long run. The picture sirs Kamla Kotnis and Shahu -)dak in the leading roles with a ?)porting cast of several popu- artistes including Gouri. tandrakant, Pratima Devi and flu Paul. S. M. Yaqub wrote m story for the picture, Amar prma composed the lyrics and |'CK. Paul directed the music. 'Aaj-ki-Raat", a Famous Film Induction also released through t$ renowned firm of distributors li:now running in Bombay. The ture is directed by U. D. Kash- l>) and features Suraiya and N,tilal in the title roles with Yaqub and Shah Xawaz leading the support. R. K. FILMS (Bombay) Producer-director-artiste Raj Kapoor, the chip of the old block, is working fast on his first pic- ture "Aag" which is now almost complete and is receiving final touches. The picture has a cast of several stars including Xargis. Kamini Kaushal. Kanwal Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. According to the latest reports the picture is expected to be a good hit. ORIENT SOUND STUDIOS (Bombay) The first picture produced by this concern is named "Gulshan" and is now receiving final touches in the editing room. Directed by Rafiq Razvi, the picture stars So- fia and Mumtaz in the principal roles and Raja Saleem, Anwari and Mehandi Raza make up the support. It is a costume picture of the gypsy life. Their next is "Jannat" a Mus- lim social picture starring the popular artiste Rehana. It is fast nearing completion under the direction of Murtaza Changezi. AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) Producer K. B. Lall after com- pleting the production of "Samrat Ashok" under the banner of the Bombay Cinetone Ltd. has now launched his own producing con- cern under the name of "Akash ("Intra" and is busy producing under its banner a musical social named "Sarkar", starring Sapru and Ullhas with a new comer and Dev Anand. The next picture on the produc- tion programme is "Deshdrohi'- which will soon be going on the sets. INDIA FILM CORPORATION LTD. (Bhopal) Their picture "Xai Reet" star- ring Sulochana Chatterjee and Rajendra is under production at Umakant and Kanta Kumari appear to be at variance -aven on the con- jugal bed in "Ajamil", Sanskar Chitra's maiden production. 67 New It's Ready ! The talk today is about The Punjab Film Corporation's "PRDIMNI" Mumtaz Shanti, Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Ali, A. Shah, Neelam, Sampson and others. WALI SAHEB Music by: GULAM HAIDER t?L5tti(jutoti : Delhi & U.P. — Messrs. Goodluck Pictures, Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Eastern Circuit: — Messrs. Mehta Pictures, 3 Dacres Lane, CALCUTTA. Southern Circuit:— Messrs Dreamland Pictures, Gandhinagar, BANGALORE CITY. Western Punjab & N.W.F P. :— Messrs Evernew Pictures. PESHAWAR. Overseas — Messrs. Bajaj Brothers, Kalbadevi RoaH, BOMBAY. Our Next ! "PI T LI" Starring : Mumtaz Shanti & Yakub. A Great Musical Social " A R S I " COMES TO THE SCREEN ■flRSI JEE VAN FICTURI5 MEENA.AL-NASIR^ Siun iiuj:- MEENA, ALNASIR, PRAN, ASHA POSLEY, CUCKOO and others. H ftictute £ntextainment & £n I ijh ten men t. Now Creating Records of Unrivalle Popularity at Lahore, Delhi, Kanpur, Bareilly, Allahabad and other places. -£et jjot an eatLu teleaie at MAJESTIC, Bombay Rights for all territories sold out except for CP.,€J. & Overseas, Contact:- All India Film Corporation Ltd.. 74/94 Tardeo Road, BOMBAY 7. Telegrams:- "KISTC O MPN Y." Jbruary, 1948 JUST PRESS A KEY- and talk' Give in L/siructions . . . ask for information . . receive answers to your questions — via wo RCA Intercom. An RCA Intercom System eliminates [ime-cotisuminK trips between depart- nents and waiting for individuals to ome to the front office. It will save you |il least one-half hour a day of your work- og time— enable you to get thing* lone quickly, more conveniently. The ItCA Intercom furnishes you at-your- llesk control over the important acmi- Hts of your organization. [ RCA's Intercom System provides rwo- vay communication direct, instantane- liusly and automatic. No need to write jiemos, wait for messengers, or dial a |:lepbone when you want action. UTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTO. 9, MARINE LINES, BOMBAY. Offices at: — lOOId Court I 18 Mount ouse St., Road, CALCUTTA. MADRAS. the Eastern Studios, Bombay. The picture is being produced by R. N. Simhal and directed by S. K. Ojha, whose direction of "Doli" has met with encouraging success. Dialogue and songs of the pic- ture are written by Kumar Gupta and the musical direction is en- trusted to S. K. Pal. ARVIND & ANAND (Bombay) "Khidki" the maiden picture of this new concern, produced and directed by Santoshi, who also wrote the story, screenplay, dia- logue and songs for the picture, is now awaiting its all-India pre- miere at a Bombay theatre. The picture is reported to be a musical comedy with as many as 22 characters— 11 girls and 11 boys, led by Rehana, Radha Kislien, Mumtaz Ali and V. H. Dcsai — featured in prominent roles. C. Ramchandra, who is responsible for tlx? musical score of the picture, is reported to have given charming tunes to the songs as also good background music. Territorial rights of "Khidki" lor almost all the different pro- vinces have been sold out at fancy prices. BHARAT CHITRA (Bombay) One more new concern bearing this name has been recently Recruit Har Kirpal Singh, B A., of Har Baksh Singh Mansions. Ho>hi- arpur (Punjab) is just 22, 5'-8 , athlete and has played in college dramatics. FILM INDIA brought to life sponsored by P. L. Santoshi and L. H. Choridia. The Muhurt of their first picture to be called "Kanta'' was performed at the Bombay Talkies' Studios, Malad, before a large gathering of film producers, directors, artistes, technicians, newspaper- men and film publicists. Santoshi has written the story and songs for the picture which is being directed by Devendra Mu- kerji. Rehana plays the title role and the supporting cast includes many of the artistes featured in "Khidki". Music has been en- trusted to C. Ramchandra. CHITRAKALA MANDIR LTD (Calcutta) "Roop Rekha" is Chitrakala Mftndir's latest production depict- ing a modern story of the clash between labour and capital, blended with sweet romance, dances and music. Samar Ghosh has directed the picture for which Padam Maheshwary, the produ- cer, wrote the story and the screenplay. The musical score comes from Robi Roy Chowdhurv and the late Pandit Amarnath. The stellar roles are played by Veena Kohli and Rehman and the supporting cast consists of Ajmal. G. X. Butt, Smriti, Durga Mota, Asha Policy. Tufail and Panna- lal. The picture was produced at Pancholi'e studios, Lahore. < HITRALAYA LTD (Bombay) Yet one more picture written anil directed by Santoshi is "Apni Chhaya" the maiden production of Chitralaya Ltd., a newly start- ed producing concern. Unlike the other comedies recently produced by Santoshi. "Apni Chhava" is a picture dealing with the serious side of life, with proper sprinkling of comedy and satire to make it entertaining. Sulochana Chatterji and Bal- want Singh make the leading pair for the picture in which Radha Kishen has also an important role. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) Preparations for the release of "Samrat Ashok" and "Sham Sa- vera", two of the recent pictures 69 FILMINDI A February, 1948 Bhim is not impressed with Husna's anger in Gita Pictures' He likes her beauty. "Dilwale". acquired by this firm of distribu- tors are now being made on an elaborate scale in Bombay. The first of these two pictures has al- ready been given away for dis- tribution in Bengal and overseas provinces on a minimum guaran- tee basis. All arrangements for the open- ing of an office in Delhi are now complete and the Bhusawal branch of the concern has been closed with effect from the 1st February. After a fairly successful run in Bombay, "Doli", a recent release of this concern, is reported to have become popular in Poona. Sholapur and other stations. LOKMANYA PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Geeta Bali and Sohanlal in the principal roles and Shashikala, Sajjan, Mangala and Vimala Va- shista in the support make up the cast of "School Girl" the maiden venture of this new producing concern. The shooting of the picture is progressing fast at the Bombay Talkies Studios, Malad, under the direction of Amiya Chakrabarty. Pradeep has composed the lyrics 70 and Anil Biswas is responsible for the music direction. J. S. Casshyap has written dialogue for the picture. RATAN PICTURES (Bombay) "Kajal", the first production of Ratan Pictures, starring Suraiya and Wasti is now complete and awaits release. It also features Gope, Jayant and Cuckoo in pro- minent roles. Director M. Sadiq is now busy with the preliminaries of the next production entitled "Char Din", which will also have Naushad as the music director. RANJIT MOVIETONE CO. (Bombay) Out of a series of pictures ready for release the first to be screened is "Piya Ghar Aja", a social pic- ture directed by Prahlad Dutt.1 starring Karan Diwan, Meenal Kumari and Agha. Five othei! pictures will be released in due! time, namely "Bichhade Balam" "Kaun Hamara", "Lakho-Main-. Ek", "Phoolwari" and "Dunia Eli Sarai". Director Prahlad Dutt is now busy with Ranjit production No 109, yet untitled, starring Niga Sultana and Karan Diwan. P historical picture, directed by Aspi. starring Bipin Gupta and Ra ■ It's age teaching some wisdom to youth. Jillubai seems to be acqua ing Begum Para with stark realities of life in Blue Art Productioi "Suhagi." February, 1948 FILMINDI A Nargis as Juliet is deeply con- cerned about her Romeo in Dia- mond Release "Romeo and Juliet" produced by the Nargis Art con- cern. Rani with Kama! Kapoor and Sheikh Hassan is now complete and will soon be christened. THE SCREENS (Bombay) Two pictures. "Birhan" and "Shanti" acquired by this well- known firm of distributors are shortly to be released in Bombay, C. P. it C. I. and arrangements are now complete for the release of "Panditji", in ('. P. & C. T. SANSKAR CHITRA (Bombay) "Ajamil" is the title of the mai- den production of this concern, which deals with the well-known mythological story from the f'Shrimad Bhagwat" of the great pinner who became a great saint. The picture is produced in two Versions — Hindi and Gujrati, by IMulraj Kapadia from a screen ktory written by Prabhulal Dwi- Ivedi, the well-known Gujarati playwright. It stars Umakant pnd Malti with Kanta Kumari, IManhar Desai, Chandrika, and Kashinath featuring in important roles. The picture is awaiting release in Bombay through the pelect films. KULDIP PICTURES LTD (Delhi) "Papiha-Re", the mfiden pro- luction of this New Delhi concern lias already been released at pawnpore, Allahabad and Dehra Dun. Written and produced by M. R. Bhakhri and starring Akh- tari and Amarnath with Asha Posley. the picture is reported to have been well received in those places. Their next picture is named "Chakori" and preliminaries for the shooting are now going on. T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bombay) This new film producing con- cern is the result of the efforts of Mr. Kumar Menon who has been connected with the industry for the last 10 years as a technician. He has now launched his own in- dependent production and "Ba- tohi" is the name of the first pic- ture to be produced by him under the banner of the T. K. Screen Classics. FILMISTAN LTD. (Bombay) Their picture "Shehnai" having completed a jubilee run at the local Novelty the company has scored two silver jubilees in suc- cession. THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LTD. DUMDUM * BOMBAY * MADRAS * DELHI. 71 FILMINDIA February, 1948 "Leela", a social picture star- ring Shobha, Kami Roy and Veera is booked for release at the Roxy and "Do Bhai" another social starring Kamini Kaushal, UHhas, Raj en Hakrar and Paro is sche- duled for release at the Novelty. "Sajan", another picture depict- ing the romance and adventures of gypsy bfe, starring Ashok Kumar and Rehana, is also ready for release while the next one un- der production is "Shaheed", star- ring Kamini Kaushal, Dilip Ku- mar, Chandramohan, V. H. Desai, S. L. Puri, Ram Singh and Leela Chitnis. They have an ambitious pro- gramme of four more pictures to be directed by different directors including Santoshi and Kishore Sahu. JIVAN KALA CHITRA (Bombay) This new producing concern, floated by Hiralal Patel, is already halfway through with its first production entitled "Hua Savera which deals with the contempo- rary political life in India, bring- ing into prominence its laughs, lies and sorrows. The picture which stars Nayan- tara and Sapru in the title roles, is being directed by Kul Bhushan Agarwal from a story by Pandit Vajpeyee who also wrote the dia- logue. Music direction is en- trusted to Gyan Dutt and art direction to Manu Vyas and Su- mant Vyas. The supporting cast includes Premkant, Dar Kashmiri. Girdhari and Hira. GITA PICTURES (Bombay) After completing "Dilwale", producer Ramesh Vyas has now taken in hand the production of his ambitious picture "Hamari Halat", for which he is reported to have chosen a big cast of popu- lar artistes. LIBERTY ART DISTRIBUTORS (Bombay) This new firm of distributors are reported to have bagged many successful pictures. They have secured the rights for the Bombay Presidency of "Zanjeer" which has a powerful cast of artistes like Begum Para, Latika. Balwant Singh and Jagdish. Quite a num- ber of their pictures is ready for re'ease including "Speed Queen", "Jai Desh", "Zoya", "Tahir and Zuhra", "Flower of Stories" and many other Russian pictures. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT (Poona) Their latest picture under pro- duction, "PhooJ aur Kante" is nearing completion under the direction of Achyut Ranade. It stars Lalita Pawar and Salvi in the principal roles and Mohan Saigal, Saroj Borkar and Shalini provide the support. PARISTAN PICTURES (Bombay) After having completed "Pad- mini", his maiden picture under the banner of the Punjab Film Corporation. Producer - director WaJU Saheb is now busy with the production of "Putli" under the banner of Paristan Pictures. The picture has a charming cast of artistes like Mumtaz Shanti, Yaqub, Mumtaz Ali and Mano- rama. Ghulam Haider is en- trusted with the music direction. BLUE ART PICTURES (Bombay) "Suhagi" is the title of the maiden social picture just com- pleted by this concern and await- ing early release in Bombay. Directed by A. Shakoor, "Su- hagi" features Begum Para and Sadiq Ali in the leading role with, Manorama heading the support. BAWOODBHAI ESOOFALI (Bombay) "Dharkan" is the name of the musical social picture now com- pleted by this producing concern and is awaiting early release in Bombay. Zahur Raja, Jyoti and Misra are featured in prominent roles in the picture. GREAT INDIA PICTURES (Bombay) The maiden production of thin concern is a social screenplav "Parai Aag" starring Ullhas and Munnavar Sultana in the leading roles with Mumtaz, A. Shah, W. M. Khan and Zillobai. The picture is directed by Najam Naqvi of Bombay Talkies' fame. Distribution rights for the Western Pakistan for the picture have been acquired by Mis. Evershine Pictures of Lahore. The company's next picture under production is named "Farida". JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) The old and established firm of distributors, M|s. Jagat Talkies, having now launched on picture production under the name of Jagat Pictures, have completed their maiden picture "Veena", a musical social, directed by J. P. Advani. The stellar roles are played by Sulochana Chatterjee, Veera and Rehman and Anil Biswas is res- ponsible for the musical score. The picture, which awaits release in Bombay, has already been tak- en over for distribution in U. P. Delhi and East Punjab by M|s. Jagat Talkie Distributors. Printed by Archibald Pereira, B. A., at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage, off Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published by him fo» " filmindia " Publications Ltd.. from 55. Phirozshah Mehta Road. Fort. Bombay. Social entertainer full lilting songs, gripping lance and captivating dances. Y: QABIL A M R ITS A R I )GUE: AKHTAR-UL-IMAN S: TANVIR NAQVI Z: GHULAM MOHAMMAD UCER : M K. AHMED I . r Slaxxin^ U L L H A S I MUNA WAR SULTANA MUMTAZ A. SHAH" W. M. KHAN SHERI J1LLUBAI MM&M QKectiotf. HffJMUL MMHt NAQVt OUR NEXT! F A R I D A " *" alUtat cast Distributors for Western Pakistan t — NEW EVERSHINE PICTURES, The Mall, Lahore. 1>AKTICULARS — GREAT INDIA PICTURES. BOMBAY 8. a) REGD.No.B 351; INLAND Rs.2/- FOREICNSh.4/(l Stocks POOVAtVAlA SU LOCH AN A CHATTERJEE BALWANT SINGH e RADHA KISHAK SANTO SHI CHITRALAVA LIMITED ii « v pii ur iTfN T>lcmwnd%dures£td. have the rare privilege and honour to present M me. II £ V I K A RANI ( The firsl Lady of the Indian Silver Screen ) iii a in o s i unusual role of her eareer! PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY J. S. CASSHYAP Please watch for further announcements. For territorial rights please contact :- SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD, BOMBAY, 4 . COMPLETE Cinema Service D o you need a box of carbons ... a spare reflector? We are happy to serve you! Or do you want a revolving stage? We represent the man who builds the biggest and the best! And we sell everything in the equip ment line, as well as installation and service. Remember — it is our business to serve you. Western Electric Engineers are stationed at strategic points all over the world to help you maintain your equipment in perfect working order WESTREX WIZARD IN INDIA To keep the Motion Picture Theatre Service in this country on a par with the best in USA., our expert Engineer, Mr. McClellan, is on a month's special mission here. Local Service Engineers will be instructed by Mr. McClellan in the most modern techniques now being applied in the Installation and servicing of Sound Projection equipment. Western Elecrric Company of India METRO HOUSE, P. O. BOX 1232, ESPLANADE ROAD, BOMBAY. he Two Saints Firdaus ke chaman men tha Gandhi ka intizaar Muddat se muntazar thay farishtay bichha ke phool Ab sab hain mahv-e-hairat-o-dilshaad dekh kar Farsh-e-zamin se arsh peh sidq-o-safa ke Phool Bapu ke naqsh-e-rah peh chalen ham qadam qadam Dikhla rahe hain raasta us rahnuma ke " Phool " Raushan rahe dilon men shama ittehaad ki Taza rahen zamane men mehr-o-wata ke phool ( Extract from Dewan Sharar's tribute to Gandhiji ) SUBSCRIPTION RATES: The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindla", from any month is : INLAND FOREIGN : Rs. 24/- Shillfngs507 Subscription is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not or a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 55, SIR PHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY. Telephone : 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. MARCH 1948 No. 3. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page inside Rs. Hall Page inside Rs. J Page inside Rs. J Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 1st Cover Rs. 400 210 120 150 500 600 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subj.ct to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. Salute To -0n Dmmottal Spkit The Mahatma is dead. Long Live The Mahatma! Never before in the history of mankind have so any mourned the death of one man. Never before 98 one man meant so much to so many. To India, Gandhi ji was the Father of The Na- on: our Leader and our saviour; the revolutionary ho taught us national self-respect; the unarmed eneral who led the nationalist army in our battle >r freedom. Out of dust he made us into men. To Hindus, Gandhiji was the supreme Man of od, who saved Hinduism from the corroding in- uence of orthodoxy and unreason, and reaffirmed le basic fundamentals of the Hindu faith in the ;ht of reason, humanism and tolerance. To millions of untouchables (whom he gave the idearing title of 'Harijans' or Children of God^, i was the Great Liberator, who raised these op- essed unfortunates from the degradation and isery into which hundreds of years of social sla- ry had plunged them. He brought them back to the Hindu society on terms of equality awl orked a-11 his life to improve their social and eco- )mic condition, to atone for the sins of Hindu or- odoxy that had ostracised them. To the Muslims of India, he was a loyal and eadfast friend — in South Africa where he be- iended and worked with many Muslims; during e Khilafat movement when he threw the weight the entire national agitation into a cause which Be of primary interest only to Muslims; right up to 8 last days when, first in Calcutta and then in ellii, he staked his life for the safety of the Mus- ks. His final martyrdom was, indeed, in the ser- ce of Indian Muslims. To journalists evnd writers he was the shining (ample of fearless and impartial exposition of uth. He edited and published the only paper of s kind in the world — without an inch of advertis- g- To the world, torn by conflict and threatened ith extinction in an atomic war, he brought the lly hope of deliverance from perpetual fear-t- rough his doctrine of Ahimsa or Non-violence It will take volumes merely to catalogue the •rvices he rendered to many different causes — jmanitarian, social, political, economic. And far lore powerful pens are required to sum up his saint- personality. While directly he influenced such a wide range of national activity, indirectly his impact on Indian life was still greater. By giving us back our na- tional self-respect and our pride in our cultural heritage, he released vast reservoirs of creative energy into cultural and literary channels. Neither literature nor dram;', music nor films, has missed the blessed impact of his dynamic personality. Pro- gress in every department of cultural activity can be traced back to his inspiration. To the eternal shame of our film industry, our films could not come anywhere near the Mahatma's lofty standards of art. He hail, therefore, no svm- pathy for, and little interest in films. And yet more than one film, knowingly or unconsciously, wholeheartedly or half-heartedly, carried his mes- sage of non-violence, peace and unity to the millions of cinegoers. On his death many producers and directors have showered tributes on his sacred memory. Eloquent pledges have been taken to dedicate the films to the sacred task of carrying forward the mission of the Mahatma. Knowing the non-Mahatmic activities of most of these producers and how shallow and hypocritical their devotion to Gandhiji's ideals is. we have no such illu sions. But if the supreme martyrdom of the Mahatma can shame a few of them, at leant for sometime, to produce CLEANER and better films and to think more of public morals and less of private profit, then we would say the film industry is not entirely dead and damned. Minimum Waqe Tot 7}/m IVotketi One of the more beneficent measures adopted by the Indian Parliament is the Bill to fix minimum wages for industrial and agricultural workers. The minimum wage will lie determined by Government in accordance with living conditions' obtaining at any particular time in particular areas and in con- sultation with expert advisory bodies. At present the Bill applies to only fifteen occupations, rural and urban, but the Government is empowered to include others within the scope of the Bill. The film industry so far is not included in the schedule of employments covered by the Bill (which include woollen carpet making or shawl weaving I ffi til ou cant lose on a good Cl weina these days... provided. If you have the right building, in the right part of the city, and the right film distribution tie-up, you are bound to get the audiences, the box office, the rupees / your sound and projection system is good. That's where we can help. From a small local Cinema to a 2,000-seater, in static or portable equipment, we can give up-to-the-minute advice and a comprehensive after-sales service. When in Bombay, you are most welcome to visit our new Showrooms" and Demonstration Theatre, and see equipment which has proved its proficiency and profit' making qualities to many exhibitors. Forbes Building, Home Street, Bombay. Calcutta- Society Cinema, 2 Corporation Place, Madras - Khaleel Mansions, 35, Mount Road. DJK 65C5 Urch, 1948 FILM INDIA tablishments; rice mill, flour or dal mill, biai aking. oil mills, road and building constructions, nneries end leather manufacture, public motor ansport. lac and mica works, farm labour and dries.) But we would strongly urge upon both antral and provincial governments to extend the hedule to include at least the technicians and ner-grade employees in the film studios and film boratories. It is a well-known fact that while the Sethias, le studio-owners, flourish and make millions they jactise the crudest capitalistic exploitation of their \irkers who have neither security of employment ir a basic living wage. A few stars might be able , t get their own terms but so far as other film work- ; e; are concerned, they suffer grievously under the r?sent system of employment. At the slightest . ptext, following his whim or fancy, the studio- cner can kick them out or cut their wages which Beady are too low. For instance, assistant dircc- t s and assistant cameramen who are expected to p^sess educational and technical qualifications are p'i LESS than municipal sweepers or millhands. '. It they carry un. drawn bv the glamour of the hi- ll try and forced to remain in their under-paid jobs 'lithe force of economic necessity. But surely the fne has come for the Government to intervene on .waif of these wretched unfortunates and help them ' Iqget a reasonable minimum wage from the bosses. Sulochana Chatterjee and Balwant Singh seem to have perfectly understood each other in "Apni Chhaya," a Chitralaya Ltd. picture, directed by Santoshi. DAK LTD. icorporated in England ) iay-Calcutti-Lahore -Madras 5 THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" ' MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR" Introducing the "MIRRl souk "A QU, QU SYSI TH NOW available ex si EXCL INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQI 20892. NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5, N. Y. 17, NEW QUEEN'S C MADRAS 18, Mount Road, MADRAS 2. ited G enume HONIC" ;iUIPMENT (. OF WPMENT" tIJND I EVERY RE ifheatres upto 5000 seats INT CO., LTD., \BAY 4. Telegram "SOUNDHEAD" LONDON 21, Wormwood Street, LONDON E. C. 2. MOTIOG An Achievement... During the post war period the 34 Motion Picture Studios listed below acquired the latest RCA Recording Equipments. The installation at 6 other studios is in progress. the total number oi Producers using MA Equipments is fast approaching sevenXumm 1 AVM Productions Karaikudi 17 Kali Films Calcutta 2 Bombay Film Laboratories 18 Mehboob Productions Ltd. Bombay Limited Bombay 19 Miss Leela Desai Bombay 3 Bharat Productions Bombay 20 Mohan Pictures Bombay 4 Bengal National Studios Calcutta 21 Navjyoti Studios Mysore 5 Calcutta Movietone Limited Calcutta 22 National Sound Studios Calcutta 6 Chitrakala Movietone Ltd. Madura 23 Prabhak'ar Pictures Kolhapur 7 Eastern Studios Bombay 24 Pakshiraja Studios Coimbatore 8 Eastern Talkies Limited Calcutta 25 Rupashree Limited Calcutta 9 Famous Cine Laboratories 26 Radha Films Calcutta & Studios Limited Bombay 27 Ranjit Movietone Bombay 10 Famous Cine Laboratory Bombay 28 Ratna Studios Salem 1 1 Famous Pictures Limited Bombay 29 Rajkamal Kalamandir Bombay 12 Ganesh Pictures Circuit Madras 30 Shree Sound Studios Bombay 13 Gemini Studios Madras 31 SJO Institute Bangalore 14 Indrapuri Studios Calcutta 32 Star Combines Madras 15 Jyoti Studios Bombay 33 Southern Studios Madras 16 Jupiter Pictures Madras 34 Sobhanachala Studios Madras | || MW,| ,| Ask for particulars from : PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTD.. 9, Marine Lines, Bombay. CALCUTTA. Offices at: MADRAS. m Lau Call! n a 77»'s section is the monopoly of ''JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. |lm folks and gandhiji With the entire civilised world mourning the ?th of Mahatma Gandhi the Indian film industry ■o staged a show of public mourning by ho'ding a ndo'ence meeting of all the members of the various inches of the industry who number about 20,000 Bombay alone, but of whom hardly a thousand *ed to attend. The show was as poor and lifeless as most of : pictures the industry produces. It lacked entirely : dignity, serenity and wprmth of heart that such occasion calls for. Barring just one or two, none the speakers knew what he was speaking and why was doing it. Some thought they were there for prize competition in elocution and mr.ny others de fools of themselves by blurting out just non- lse. Very few among the audience appeared to real- that they had co'lected there to mourn the rld's greatest tragedy such as befa''s it once a thousand years. Most of them cheered and c'ap- \ the speakers, particularly those who recited ms. as if they were listening to a "mushaira" or vi Sammelan. Very few, again, seemed to know the etiquette public meetings wherein resolutions moved by the air hfve not to be seconded by anyone but are aightway put to vote. In this meeting, however, condolence resolution moved by Chuni La'l, the sidcnt, was actually seconded by Chhotu Desai. ely Chhotu must make his presence felt and how 2 could he do it? He had, therefore, to go out of way of all conventions and traditions and adver- his existence on the dais by seconding a resohi- i moved by the Chair — something that is not ie. The most ridiculous among the speakers were se who spoke first and last — incidentally, both jaratis and bearing the identical first names, viz., andulal Jeshingbhai. The first, however, was a nde and the last a Shah. We have often wondered why this man, Pande, illowed a platform at public meetings. This man, leems, is a sort of poet and composes verses and jgs in Gujarati which have not the remotest affi- / to poetry or literature. He composed come vers- on Gandhiji, probably 20 years ago, which he has n reciting at all sorts of meetings for many years hout rhyme or rcafon. He recited those oft-heard ses in a voice and with gestures which, to anyone ocent of the Gujarati language, gave the impres- \ that he was reciting something funny or comical. A lady producer, who has not yet produced any picture, proclaimed that fhe had warned, after the recent bomb incident at the Birla House, that some- thing much more dangerous was likely to happen if proper precautions were not taken, but no one listen- ed. She forgot to mention, however, to whom her warning was addressed. Chandulal Shah is a, practised speaker. With his faulty pronunciation of both his own lingo and English, in neither of which he can correctly pro- nounce the letter "sh" he never misses a chance of speaking at pub ic meetings where he usually talks of his own and Rrnjifs staggering progress and achievements. He ta'ked about protecting the fix crores of Muslims in India and the ten crores of Muslims in Pakistan, a total of 16 crores of Mu lims not knowing that the entire population of Mus ims as claimed by the Mus'im League in both the domi- nions together never exceeded 10 crores. He a'so talked about no Hindus and no Muslims, no Hindus and no Hanjans, but no one exact'y understood what he was trying to make out of so many "no"s. Leela Kumari leads the cast in Super Teim Federal Productions' maiden social, "Meri Kahani", directed and photographed by Keki Mistry. "Boil-Dimg Block SOUND ! Western Electric "packaged" units make a sound recording system as easily rearrangeable as a child's box of building blocks. The Postwar Western Electric Sound Recording System consists of four units, compact enough to be mounted on a trailer or small truck. New units can be added . . . old ones replaced . . . the whole system is adaptable to an infinite number of uses. ONE V/estsrn Electric Recorder Does ALL your work! Interchangeable modulators allow you to use one machine for recording by both the Variable Density and Variable Area methods- The same apparatus can be adapted to either 16 mm. or 35 mm. recording by changing the sprockets and film pulling mechanisms which are mounted on easily removable dowelled plates. Relatively simple chan- ges in the recorder and noise reduction units of the Series 600 and 700 Systems permit them to be used for either IOO mil standard or 200 mil push- pull recording. Sound Engineers will readily appre- ciate the economy and convenience of this feature. I. Mixer 2. Transmission Equipment 3. Recorder 4. Power Supply These and other revolutionary now feature! make the Wester* Electric Postwar Sound Recording Systems the best ever (or simplicity, convenience, economy ei operation, and downright va'ue for money. As (of quality — our record speaks for itself. Out of 17 "Oscars" awarded by the American Motion Picture Academy for SOUND RECORDING, no fewer lLan 14 have been won by Western Electric. Whatever your requirements in the field of sound equipment, Western Electric can meet them! IADIO TRANSMITTERS • HEARING AIDS' AUDIOMETERS • MICROPHONES AMPLIFIERS • LOUDSPEAKERS • Western Electric Company of India METRO HOUSE • P.O. SOX 1232 • ESPLANADE ROAD • tOMBAY [arch, 1948 FILMINDIA Relieving: Features The whole show, however, was not without some Irelieving features. Two of the several speakers, liGovind Ram Shetty and Prem Dhavan. literally .■moved the audience, the first with his fine speech Ifull of emotion and delivered in chaste Urdu with flail the requisite dignity of a seasoned, well-versed llspeaker who knows his job, while the other paid a ■touching poetic tribute to Gandhiji in a short and Isweet poem specially written by him for the sad ■Occasion which is worthy of being treasured a- a M?lassical piece of poetry in national literature. The meeting passed the following resolution: — "This general meeting of the members of the ■ndian film industry held under the auspices of the ^lotion Picture Society of India. Indian Motion Pic- ture Producers' Association. Indian Motion Picture ■Distributor.-' A-sociation. Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of India, Film Artistes' Association of ■ndia. Association of Cine Technicians of India and ■he Cinematographic Importers' Association, places in record it- most profound sorrow at the foul assa- sination of Mahatma Gandhi, the revered Father of he Nation, the apostle of peace, truth and non- iolence and the greatest humanitarian of the age. "This meeting strongly condemns the brutal Qurder which has shocked the entire civilized world ind deeply mourns the irreparable loss sustained by he nation in the death of Mahatma Gandhi and onveys its respectful condolences and sympathies to he members of his family, to Pandit Jawaharlal fehru, Prime Minister of India, and through him. o the millions of our countrymen who mourn Ma- latmaji's death. "This meeting pays its humble homage to the ;reat leader who lived for others and sacrificed his ife for the noble cause of peace and harmony among nankind and prays to God that we may be given In Navayug Chitra-s "Phool aur Kante", we wonder which of these two — Lalita Pawar and Saroj Bor- kar — provides the one or the other. strength and confidence to follow the light of his teachings.'' WILL GOVERNMENT EXPLAIN? Press Release number 64 issued by the United Nations New Delhi Information Centre informs us that "Production has now been started, in a village in the Satara district of Bombay Presidency, of the three educational films for training Indian social welfare workers, which are being financed by the United Nations". These films, we learn further, arc being produced at the request of the Indian Govern- ment, through the Indian Delegation to the United Nations, as a part of the organisation's advisory so- cial welfare programme which provides for assis- tance in this line to member countries at their re- quest. The subjects of these three films are: 1) Mater- nity welfare, 2) Infant care, and 3) Environmental welfare. In other words the subjects touch the very core of Indian rural life, and the films are to be address- ed to the millions of illiterate mothers and teachers in the villages, who are conversant only with any of the provincial languages. A completely INDIAN approach and an understanding of Indian psycho- logy are, therefore, necessary for any one who un- dertakes the production of these films. And who do you think has actually been en- trusted with this task? Hold your breath. The United Nations, of course, has sent an AMERICAN, Miss Marion Dix. "who has been engaged in film production work for twenty years, in the USA, England and France" to "supervise the project and supply the specialist's knowledge." And whom has the specialist Miss Dix chosen to produce these films on an intimate and delicate as- II mOW PUMPS IATEST fPS PROJECTOR HEAP /S SUOk SAFE RELIABLE Branch— % UBHADRABAI MANSIONS, WOODS ROAD, MADRAS. March, 1948 FILMINDI A tact of Indian life? She has selected one Paul Zils, GERMAN youth, whose only qualification (so far s we are aware) is that he claims to have worked or some time as an Assistant Director in le Ufa Studios. Since his coming to India he has een unsuccessfully trying to raise capital to launch arious ambitious projects including the filming of a tory of the Buddhist period. His only independent chievement to date are two or three Advertising lms which he made for some business firms, boost- lg some particular brands of soap or ships or some- ling. But, of course, we forgot his main qualification, 'e is a WHITE man — and that still seems to be a assport to any governmental job in this country. Will the Government department concerned — it Sardar Patel's Information Department or Mau- na Azad's Education Department? — explain why id under what circumstances, and by whom, was .err Paul Zils appointed to this particular job? RE THERE NO INDIANS? And we can anticipate the answer. The foreign- 1 has been appointed as an expert because Indians ith the requisite qualifications were not available, nly in this case such an answer would be patently ltruc. There are at least half a dozen Indians who ive proved their ability in the field of documentary m production. There is Colonel Gandhi with the brilliant Kashmir film as his latest achievement. There is Ezra Mir who headed the I. F. I. during the war years. There is Krirhna Gopal and there is Bhas- kar Rao — both of whom gained international fame with their fine documentaries which they produced for the I. F. I. There are others, too. Documentary film production is no longer a closed book to young Indian technicians with imagi- nation. Moreover, they can bring to the task of making films on such subjects which the UNESCO films are tack ing with an Indian approach and an instinctive understanding of the Indian psychology and the Indian way of life. No "Bakhsheesh" At the same time it must be made clear that the United Nations are not giving us these films as "bakh- sheesh"' that we must be grateful for such small mercies and not raise any questions. As an original member of the U. N. 0. India contributes a very large amount every year to its funds and, in propor- tion to that, gets very little in return. There are only a very few Indians on the staff of the U. N. 0., as against the multitude of Englishmen. Americans and Frenchmen. The Government of India ought to have insist- ed that, even if the appointment rested with the U. N. 0., an Indian was selected for the job. Unless, of course, our Cabinet members still suffer from the foreigner complex and think that a German or a Swede or a Hungarian assistant director is un- questionably better than the best director or produ- cer in India! NUMBER ONE STAR? Who do you think is India's most favourite, number one, star? Vcena? Khurshid? Durga Khote? Shanta Apte? Naseem? Or, if you include the foreign stars: Greta Garbo? Bette Davis? Greer Garson? Ida Lupino? No, none of these. Indian audiences' most fa- vourite star is— MARGARET LOCKWOOD. Many of you might well ask: Who is Margaret Lockwood? And who voted her BEST on vour be- half? Here is the answer. The Office of the British High Commissioner in India ksues free write-ups from New Delhi to boost British product. One of these, entitled BRITISH FILMS TOP WORLD POLLS, has reached our hands. In the course of it we read: "Margaret Lockwood was voted No. 1 star by cinema audiences in India and Czechoslovakia." Czechoslovakia can answer for herself. So far as we are aware no popularity poll has been taken in India to determine the most popular star. Evidently the propagandists of British films are allowing their imagination to run riot. Still, Yeucn. vi .rani wich B aucy — md irresistible are the I cks that Kesavardhi.i he p. tj grjw an i preserve — from children upwards. L't »< ur hsir present y u at ysur Pest ; and let Keiavardhini present your hair at their best. Give ycur hair TO DAY! Pncc,cRv-S, GROWS AND BEAUTIFIES HAIR Kesavardhinl .. A«. 12. Kesavardhir.i Shampoo. .As. 12. Pcstare and packing extra From most dealers or direct from SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS, CO IMBATORE 13 Just any hair oil will not help you if your hair is curly, unruly and rebellious. Swastik's Perfumed Castor Oil will bring out all the glory of such hair and will also enable you to dress it properly. Enchantingly perfumed, Swastik's Perfumed Castor oil is an acknowledged favourite among men and women of discriminating tastes. hrch, 1948 FILM INDIA ;?n if they want to impose a star on us. let them pose someone better than Margaret Lockwood. You j", we are rather particular in our tastes. t PAYS TO BE POLITE Among the ill-mannered, ill-tempered, uncouth id unseemly men we come across in the daily rou- jje of life the Indian picture house employees are, fhaps, the worst specimens in so -far as their be- tviour towards the picturegoers is concerned. From ;> manager down to the lowest menial working in |; cloak rooms one hardly ever meets a polite per- il in this profession. i Good manners and polite habits have never been ■isidered essential qualifications for any public or ini-publie service in this half-starved, half clad lintry seething with masses of poor, illiterate and Jiorant people. Our public servants, for instance, are notorious I their bad manners and short tempers. Be it the :rk in the secretariat or any other government or inicipal office; be it the railway servant of any pcription from the station master to the ticket i lector; be it a postal, telegraphic or telephone aployee; the tram or bus conductor or inspector; i is generally the same in his manners and beha- ijiur to all ordinary members of the public whose .ivant he is supposed to be and for serving whom lis paid his wages. When these are the human species we meet j.ong the comparatively educated and better paid J of people in public and semi-public services, it mot at all surprising to find that the picture house jployees, who are deliberately chosen from among t least educated people, whose physical fitness jints as a greater qualification than cultural cquip- int and who are, as a rule, underpaid and over- the leading parts. Such were his ilm- "Strike ". "Battleship Potemkin". "October". He was elected member of the Hollywood Aca- lemy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1930 lesponsible for introducing many a novel and in- ;enious innovation in film technique, he published in 943 "The Film Sense", an exhaustive and penetrat- ng defence of his screen method- inculcating his amous theory that a film director must impart on he screen nothing less than what a painter or a poet Iocs in picture- and poems. The popularity of this book could be gauged roni the fact that it proved to be of immense inspi- ation and authoritative guidance to film directors ind artistes not only in Russia but in all film pro- iucing centres the world over. Eisenstein's '"Thunder Over Mexico ", depicting he Mexican nation's history in celluloid, earned him he greatest acclaim and is still regarded e.s one of he towering achievements in Soviet film history. Out of the talkie pictures produced by Eisens- ein, film "Alexander Nevsky" is one of the best known. This film depicts a brilliant Russian com- mander of the thirteenth century who routed the army of the Livonian knights. A new film directed by Eisenstein "Ivan the Terrible" is dedicated to one of the most remarkable Russian czars of the sixteenth century. With the na.me of this czar are connected a good many legends and folk-lore. Many literary works were written describing the court intrigues during the reign of the Czar Ivan; his struggle with external enemies; his romantic ventures etc. Czar Ivan represents a very brilliant human personality. In the scenario writ- ten by Eisenstein, the genius of the Czar, his deal- ings with foreign governments, his firmness in strug- gle with his foes and his desire to establish and strengthen the Russian empire are well reflected. In the role of Czar Ivan Eisenstein filmed a prominent Soviet cinema actor Nicholas Cherkasoff, who became known after playing the part of pro- fessor Tin iryazev in the film "'Deputy of the Bal- tic", the part of Maxim Gorki in the film "Lenin in 1918"' and others. 0 Undoubtedly the film "Ivan the Terrible" will be one of the more brilliant productions in the art of Motion Pictures. In his death the Reds have lost their greatest seasoned craftsman, a prolific thinker and visionary whose many tpialities and international personality were a valuable asset to their film industry and whose contribution to the screen will have a pride of place in motion picture history. Calm and dignified even in moments of grief. Kamini Kaushal plays the charming heroine in "Aag", R. K. Films' maiden presentation, pro- duced and directed by Raj Kapoor. J7 BLUE SEAL WORLD REPUTED 35 M M. SOUND PROJECTORS iBfc. With :— ALTEC LANSING The Voice of the theatre Speaker System STRONG MUGHAL H. I. Arc Lamps Stand by D. C. Exciter Supply unit For Perfect Reproduction Also Motors Generators for H.I. Arc Lamps Rotary Convertors, transformers Available at Most Moderate Terms ex stock Contact sole agents HAVELL'S P. O. Box No. 238A, 59 Forbes Street, Fort, Bombay. Editor-eMail (In this section, the editor himje// replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month- some amicus ant several frivolous it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treatedTin an informative and humorous strain and no ofjtnce is rreont to anyone.) DBI Roy (Darbhanga, Bihar) I Do you think that a medical girl will have a ■ter prospect in the films ' Medical or tutorial, the films need talent and luck. Snehaprabha came from a medical college and Yanmala had a teacher's cane in hand. Which of these do you like: a sweet dream that are sleeping on the lap of your beloved or ■uelly a deep slumber on the lap of the beloved? / like the dream in case I find the lap cold. ANTILAL RATILAL BHATT (Kandivli) For which earthly or heavenly purpose did lar Sharma dedicate a rotten picture, "Neel mal", to his departed wife? Probably to encourage the early arrival of the new one. H DHARMA ROW (Gudlavalleru) Have you got children? They were children once. Today they are my parents. THANVI (Jodhpur) What do you think of Sajjan, the young artiste n Jodhpur? Very good on the stage, tolerable on the screen and a headache to meet. M. GANGULI (New Delhi) The worth of your brain, you say, is two tolas counterfeit silver. If your brain and "filmindia" 85 fake as the "counterfeit silver**, are we not ting our genuine money on both? Where did you get the genuine money from? SS GITA MEHROTRA (Cawnpore) What would be the status of women in Free la? One is a governor of a province, another a minister of the State end still another an am- bassador in Moscow, posts which even the West has denied to women. 3S MRMALA GUPTE (Poona) What is your opinion about a Maharashtrian Is she in any way different from other girls? A. JAMES (Hyderabad Dn.) WIkii women enter filmland, do they have to ket their pride and sometimes even forget their ^Is? Wrong pride they must pocket because the man who directs the picture always knows bet- ter. Morals are a matter of individual extra- vagance. In a normal Hindu family I see that the woman is treated as a slave of the husband. In a Muslim family the impression is that the woman is an article of pleasure. In my opinion, the wife lias as much right over her husband ?s the husband over the wife. That is why she is called the better half. What is your opinion? / consider the woman to be a companion that needs protection and an important partici- pant in domestic debates. The Congress Ministries both at the Centre and in the Provinces are called "popular*'. Why and how are they popular? Popular in the sense that people have vot- ed them into power but their acts are not popu- lar cs they have drifted away from the people whom they are supposed to represent. Isn't she imposing? That is Suraiya in Famous Films- social screenplay "Aaj ki Raat," running at thq Minerva, Bombay. 19 WINAYAK'S LAST HOMAGE to ★ MAHATMA GANDHI ★ MOTHER INDIA BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS' MANDIR Cast SHANTA APTE (Courtesy: S. A. Concerns) SHAHU MODAK SALVI LATA- BABY NANDA JAYMALA VIJAYA-SAMSON JANKI DAS and LATE MR. WINAYAK ♦ r\ A TALE OF THE PLACE made revered and venerable by the presence of LORD KRISHNA & MAHATMA GANDHI Story: V. S. KHAN DEKAR — — Director — WINAYAK Music: VASANT DESAI NEXT CHANGE AT SWASTIK TALKIES-BOMBAY For Particulars Apply: BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS 8 Nicadvari Lane Girgaon BOMBAY 4 [arch, 1948 nSS D. KANDAL (Allahabad) How is one to know if one is really in love? Take a thousand-mile railway ticket and stay out for a. month. If there is no tick-tick inside, there is no lover outside. WALA PRASAD GUPTA (Kanpur) Why do boys laugh while girls generally smile? Smiling or laughing is a matter of teeth these days and not of temperament. RAJESHWARI DEVI (Rajahmundry) I would like to recommend cooking as a part of Dys' education. What is your opinion? Knowing modern girls as I do, this should be made a compulsory subject for boys. KAMESWARA RAO (Waltair) Has religion got anything to do with culture? Religion is the culture of the soul. MOHAN DAS (Conjeevaram) Why is your pen refusing to write anything )0Ut the actors and actresses of South India? / don't write about strangers whom I do not know. What is the difference between the rich and the >or? The rich have ambitions. The poor have, hopes. Why do you always hate the fellows who wear lite caps? Because they don't clear the caps of black market bugs. Define a 'gentleman'? A unit of the smallest minority in the pre- sent world. ITS ALA DEVI (Madras) Can 'filmindia' be described as the bible of film- *>m or have you a better description? FILMINDIA A well-known minister of government calls it the Bible of the film industry and proceeds to quote its monthly commandments. N. K. SAKSENA (Lucknow) Why is a man with a beautiful girl by his side welcomed everywhere? / am not, though I have a beautiful wife. On the other hand they sigh over my wife's mis- fortune. A. A. CHOUK (Hyderabad Dn.) Mr. Patel, I envy you. You're a lucky guy. How many girls are in love with you! Send me a list of their names so that I know them too! K G. SRINIVASA RAO (Bangalore) Can the audience enjoy a picture better by smoking cigarettes or bidis continuously in a thea- tre? The smokers do, but not non-smokers. With stables us theatres smoking amounts to spread- ing poison gas. The smoke suffocates and spreads disease. MRS MONICA FARROW (Sawantwadi) What is your aim in conducting 'Editor's Mail' every month? Sh ow the people how clever I am and make them shell out two rupees every month. It is just like the juggler's roadside turn for his daily bread — the only difference being that I juggle with words. What is life without a wife? It remains life. N. S. SAWANT (Bombay) Do you find any pleasure in the wearing of khaddar? No. When better cloth is available, why _8v X" CHAMPION TYRES 21 JHGflT PICTURES SULOMNA CHAm&Jit REHMAN.VEERA HEMAVATI LEELA MISRA CIRDHARI YAKUB Particulars .—J AG AT PICTURES SHREE SOUND STUDIOS, DADAR, BOMB AY. Distributors For U. P., Delhi & East Punjab] JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS CHANDNI CHAWK, DELHI. 'tarch, 1948 Indu Paul is starred as the leading lady in Batohi, a T. K. Screen classics' maiden production. should I wear khaddar merely to mix with a crowd of political cranes? G. A. mod ,\k (Hasan) Who has earned lakhs of rupees in the film in- Bustry as an actor? Ashok Kumar, Yaqub, Ishuarlcl, MotUal and Chandramohan. The last two. however, spent their lakhs. What is your opinion about the behaviour of kladrasis who live in Matunga, Bombay? / ojten see them wrapped in bed sheets and walking bare feet. But that is not bad beha- viour. That is only bad dress. B. L. KANTH (Hyderabad Dn.) Winch is the most important thing in a film? The producer's luck. . P SHl'KLA (Rewa) What do you think about Shahzada Iftkhar's I'eena'? Took life and married Al Xasir. P BAGHEL (Jubbulpore) Goondas are found in majority among the lluslims. Why? Xot necessarily. The Hindus and Sikhs score equally well. In the reign of our Congress, the poor are still king at the mercy of the rich. Why? FILM INDIA The Congress believes in the gradual bleed- ing of the rich and giving the poor gradual tran- fusions. In gradual bleeding you don't waste the blood and use every drop of it for social purpose. It is a habit with my friend's wife to rebuke him in the presence of his friends. Because of her beauty, he doesn't want to divorce her! A woman who does that ceases to be beau- tiful.- Mere beauty of features is given even to a marble statue, then where does the woman come in? Beauty is multi-sided and respecting a husband is an important facet of a woman's beauty. J. K. TANDAN (Lucknow) You say that a critic has a dry tongue while a diplomat has an oily one. What type of tongue does a hypocrite have? .4 double-edged one. What is the effect of tears in a wife's eyes? Tears in a wife's eyes irritate the man but in a sweetheart's eyes they flatter him. B. CHAKRAVARTY (Kasganj, Etah) What is the difference between you and a cynic? Mona plays an important role in "Apni Chhaya", a Chitralaya Ltd. production, directed by Santoshi. 23 THE STORY OF A SWEET-AND-SIXTEEN TOLD BY ELEVEN SWEETHEARTS! IN the season's sweetest,- saddest, sanest, spiciest smile-and-love Epic "KHIDKI" Written, produced and directed SANTOSHI who spices sense with nonsense and nonsense with sense starling REH AN A with V. H. Desai * Leela Mishra if Mumtaz Ali ^ Jawahar Kaul if Radhakishen it Tiwari if Ramsingh ir Mona if , Shanta Kunwar * Neelum * Baba Raja * Raj Adib * W. A. Khan * Haroon * Shreenath if Abbas Rizvi if Kamalrani if Chandramukhi Indira if Ghosh if Chanchal- Kumari if Pramode if Usha if Zohara Begum * Deshraj * Tiwari (Jr.) * Kalpana and a HUNDRED other faces ! Music: Photography C. RAMCHANDRA CHANDU Particulars : Arvind & Anand 361, VITHALBHAI PATEL ROAD, BOMBAY 4. Territorial rights for C P. & C. I.:- KALYAN PICTURES LTD., AMRAOTI. South:- L. S. IYER, 185, Gandhinagar, BANGALORE. Delhi, U. P. and E. Punjab;' CENTRAL TALKIES CIRCUIT, Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Bengal :• AMBIKA FILM EXCHANGE, 54, Bentinck Street, CALCUTTA. Pakistan & Overseas: DIAMOND PICTURES LTD., Sandhurst Road, BOMBAY. March, 1948 FILM INDIA I fight and struggle to change things. A cynic waits for others to do it. Kr. RAJENDRA SINGH (Agra) Why do many producers not advertise their pictures in your "filmindia"? They insist on good reviews for their bad pictures end a boost for their vicious existence. Do our national leaders read "filmindia"? They do with a few rare exceptions and some of them wonder whether the critic can some dcy be turned into a Congress clapper. Which is the easiest way to marry a film act- ress? By being a film director, if you follow Kedar Sharma. Why do people generally begin worshipping God in their old age? By that time the Devil becomes anaemic and makes room for God. When does a girl become a woman? When she can't look a young man straight in the face. Why do people prefer to see the Taj in moon- light? Because it is a creation of a moonstruck lover who wasted millions, made thousands sieve and killed hundreds to embalm the memory of a woman. FOR BETTER LIVING We can supply you : Radios, Cutlery, Hardware. Glassware, Electrical Accessories and Household requirements etc., £ u r r i m Ii It o \\ Lnlliee SajiiH a Co., P. O Box 1495 • Brightlands " Lansdowne Road, Apollo Bunder, Fort. Bombay. Tel. 35518 Shanta Apte keeps the old National Flag still flying in Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden picture Mandir" MRS YOGIASHILA NAD AM (Secunderabad Dn.) In view of the present disturbed situation all over India, if young girls are given compulsory mili- tary training what would be the effect on woman- hood? They would at least develop better figures end glow with some health. V» by can't a woman keep a secret? Her function is to deliver and not store. Mrs M. LAKSHMI DEVI (Madras) V\ hat are you learning from your wife? Patknce—an old game which doesn't need a partner. A B. NATESAN (Madanapalle) My wife complains that I have become naughty after becoming a subscriber of "filmindia". What do you say? Doesn't that make her life more interesting/ Mcke her also a subscriber and she will also become naughty. MISS INDRA G. A. (Bombay) Why is there evil in the world'.' To advertise virtue. PESWANI G. H. (Hyderabad, Sind) What does a brahmachari exist for? hood Often as a stud teaser in the neighbour- ly 1 flEELAi JLL«J VIJAYALAXMI * LATIKA * SUNS DEVI * PRATIMA DEVI ft- AFZAL*JE«I Direction: U. SUNNI <7Wu«rems A U 'ratal Patel Virectcd by Story .eonq.Qtcrq, mlbhushanngrduidl epVajpayw jnanVutt 4 fhartu i/yas €"h Sapru Mayan fata, frmftmt, M£SB^m^^)]Sumdr?t l/yas V*r MskmtN, Him, Omdhan Jivan Hala Chitra Famous One Lab. i studios ftahalaxmi )UR REVIEW 'Aaj-Ki-Raat" Draws Huge Crowds! A Well-produced Social Story ! AAJ-KI-RAAT Producers: Famous Pictures Language: Hindustani Story: D. D. Kashyap Dialogue and Songs: Rajendra Krishna Music: Husnalal and Bhagat- ram Photography: Surendra Pai Audiography: P. N. Arora Cast: Motilal. Yaqub, Surrai- ya, Shah Nawaz, etc. Released At: Minerva, Bom- bay Date of Release: 23rd Jan- uary, 1918 Directed By: D. D. KASHYAP Famous Pictures seem to be go- Lg up gradually in popularity Lnd if the huge crowds at the Llinerva are any indication of Lublic approval, "Aaj-ki-Raat" uust be accepted as not only a rery popular entertainment but buite en impressive picture tech- nically. j The most striking feature of ihis picture is its unusually plea- ant photogrp^hy which has given in almost new personality to Sur- raiya, one of our ugly ducklings of he screen. Even her usually silly >yes look less silly and her un- lertain nostrils look less repulsive, fhat is definitely a point scored \>y Cameraman Surendra Pai and !he pleasant impression thus •rcated by this girl helps her to put over a couple of popular >ongs very effectively. PRACTICAL LOVE I There is nothing very unusual In the plot but it contains quite L few sequences which are treated n an original manner. I Motilnl wants to shoot himself iiaving arrived at the end of hi> financial resources. Surraiya stops him from doing so and incident- ally puts him on a slow-killing course — Love. Surraiya is a school teacher with her father, a drunk- ard. Her earnings help to pur- chase drinks for him. Raj Mehra, a trustee of the school, where Sur- raiya works, has a benevolent and affectionate eye on the young tea- cher. Motilal's and Surraiya's love soon finds an official excuse and Surraiya becomes Motilal's secre- tary. Love marches on blindly to- wards an engagement date when Anita Sharma turns up with a child and we are introduced to her as Motilal's wife. Now love gets its proverbial tears and Surraiya puts in a cou- ple of tearful songs. The climax is soon hitched on to the serious ill- ness of Motilal's little son who brings Mptilal back into the tra- ditional home while Raj Mehra. who at one time looked like a pro- bable -ex criminal, becomes a good samaiitan and gives a foreign study ticket to Surraiya who boards a T.W.A. plane. Love thus ends in a practical manner in- stead of the usual Leila-Majnu tragedy. Technically the picture is un- usually smrrt. almost everything being smartly managed. The scenario, however, is a bit on the common side and suffers from familiarity. The dialogue is good while the music is of the po- pular variety, Surraiya. who has a sweet voice, rendering a couple of songs in a very catchy manner. WATCH RAJ MEHRA From the players, Shah Nawaz gives a very sincere performance the heroine's father. This man has a voice that acts according to the situation. Motilal plays the hero with his usual eclat but looks too old in comparison with Sur- raiya. Surraiya sings well and looks better than ever before. Her work has also improved under Kashyap'e direction. She doesn't do those idiotic Punjabi actions which we have seen so often in her previous pictures. Yaqub plays his usual carefree role of a. well-meaning social spon- ger in his usual slick manner. He provides the laugh in the enter- tainment. Raj Mehra. a newcomer, does very well ps a seemingly villain- ous type. He speaks well and flu- ently and deserves encouragement In short "Aaj-ki-Raat", though this name has little to do with the story, is a picture worth seeing and the crowds know tins. Nayantara and Hira Saw^nt are concerned about Sapru's condition in "Hua Savera", a Jivan Kala Chitra picture 13 MSUOHESUAR tcnxlna : BEGUM PARA * BALVANT SINGH * JAGDISH SETHI * K. N. SINGH it LATIKA & G O P E The chains we BROKEN All THEY BEG TO SING T SONG C FREEDOM ! Tiii DomlJiiu Preside ncu I iiili K Applii I O : — VEEN A KOHL1 — A new star rises in the film firmament. Charming Veena Kohli plays the lead in Chitrakala Mandir's maiden social Ruop Rekha", note awaiting release, in which she gives some p.rquisite dance numbers. Kalpan* PftMX-9 6MW NARGIS— Charming in her abandon and nonchalance, Nargis looks over the toorld witli the majesty oj a queen in R. K. Productions' maiden picture, "Aag" produced and directed by Raj Kapoor. w^,Scre^Piai,Dfal«,reS NARGIS KAMINI KAUSHAL KANWALKAPUR INDCP PAJ INDUMATI PREM NATH RAJKAPUR £-NIGAR Dialogue & Songs: Bharati Devi, Pt. Ratan Piya. For Particular*: T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS Shahpur House, Cawasji Pitcl Street. Fort, BOMBAY Camera :- V. K. B. Manlam Songs Recorded by > B. N. Sharm U. P , Delhi, East Punjab anl Western Pakistan rights controlled by SAINIKS FILM DISTRIBUTORS Co Seth Kishonlal Munilal. Sirdar Market fODHPUR )UR REVIEW Jday Shankar's Challenge To Film Industry "Kalpana" Is An Artist's Dream In Celluloid When four years ago Uday iankaj announced his intention producing a film on his own, le film industry looked askance his presumtptuousness. True, was acknowledged the world er as a great exponent of the ance art and a matchless show- an, still what did he know bout the technique of producing lms? So they forecast that ther his picture would never be roduced, and if somehow it was )mpleted, it would be an ama- urish flop. Now "Kalpana'" is on the reen and Shankar has not only ^Indicated his reputation as a Heat showman and a great dan- ■kr but, through this picture, also ^Irown a challenge to the film Industry. Leave aside dancing Ihich is his own domain, let them Ime forward and produce some- Jing better in technique, in pro- fiction value, in slick direction, in imaginative photography, in artistic compositions, in daring montage ! '"Kalpana" is a landmark in the history of Indian films — in the same way as "Admi" was a landmark in India, or as "Citizen Kane" was in Hollywood. It breaks completely with all the traditions of the Indian cinema, discards ad existing formulae, breaks new and virgin ground. It presents a new theme in a novel manner. It presents new artists, new musicians, new writers, and new technicians. What is more, its whole approach to the art of cinema is new and different from anything you have ever seen on the screen — Indian or foreign! DEVASTATING SATIRE Shankar delivers the challenge to the commercial cincmagnates right at the start. A meek-look- ing imaginative author goes to a lay and Amala — lovers in life, lovers on the screen. In ''Kalpana" they recreate the passionate rhythms of youthful love. KALPANA Producers: Stage and Screen Presentations Language: Hindustani Story: Uday Shankar Dialogue: Amritlal Nagar Lyrics : Sumitranandan Pant Bhil Folk Songs: Devilal Samar Dances: Uday Shankar Music: Vishnudas Shirali Art Direction: A. K. Sekhar Photography: K. Ramnoth Audiography: C. E. Biggs Cast: Uday Shankar, Amala, Lakshmi Kanlz, Far- man Ali, etc. Released At: Excelsior and 4 other theatres, Bombay. Date of Release: 13th Febr- uary 1948 Directed By UDAY SHANKAR Scthia type of film producer with his script which he proceeds to read out. "Kalpana" is that script! And after two and a half hours of an unparalleled feast of beauty and rhythm and drama and dancing (which represents the story being related by the author) , when in the end we see the author finishing his reading of the script, the producer rejects it summarily with the remark that it is all trash — no love, no romrnce. no duets, no comedy punches! No, he can never, NEVER, produce such a story!! Of course he will not commit any such mistake! And by this prelude and epilogue Uday Shan- kar has given his picture a touch of devastating satire on the In- dian film industry which refuses to recognize originality and ge- nius. Shankar anticipated all the criticism and abuse that interest- ed parties are sedulously and diabolically showering on his brain-child. That is exactly what the producer (in the film) says at it< end. while rejecting the story. An 1 "Kalpana", depicted as it is as a ftory rejected by a film boss, becomes a challenge not only to the men but the principles that dominate our film industry. BEAUTY AND RHYTHM In a picture like "Kalpana" which is in a class by itself, the 41 A DEVADASI REVOLTS! IS MARRIAGE A SIN? LEENA - A DEVADASI STRIVES TO STEER CLEAR OF THE ABYSS OF SHAME & DEGRADATION AND SEEKS HAPINESS IN A LIFE OF VIRTUE - IN THE HOLY WEDLOCK! SHAH PRODUCT EONS 9 MAIDEN HIT DO- k AMY \\ (IN HINDI) It AMI) l\ ( IN MARATHI ) A HIGH POWERED SOCIAL DRAMA Story, Dialgue, Lyrics:— V. S. SUKHTH ANKAR — Direction — RAJA PARANJPE — Music — P. SH ANKAR — Starring — * SAROJ BORKAR * SHALINI * CHAN DRAK ANT GOKHALE * VINAY KALE etc. For Territorial Rights Contact:- SHAH PRODUCTIONS 17, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Poona I. FILM INDIA Nargis as Fuliet is perplexed to overhear her parents talking about her marriage after having already secretly married Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet", forthcoming Diamond Release produced by Nargis Art Concern. ■»i March, 1948 | narrative is not so important as I the lyrical pattern. Indeed, the I whole film is composed more like || a poem than a story — so that the ■I demands of the story are some- I times sacrificed for lyrical effect. BThe rhythm is to be noticed not ■only (in its obvious aspects) in ■the dances and the musical score,. ■ but even in the juxtaposition of |! shots, scenes and sequences which rail contribute to the cumulative ■ rhythmic pattern. All credit must go to Shankar I for his exquisitely artistic com- |t position and framing of shots. I Some of his pictorial effects arc ■ simply breath-taking, beautiful ■ beyond words. The dream of llove, the Labour and Machinery ■ ballet, the Spring festival of I dances — these are highlights that H would have done honour to the ■ most experienced film director. I Even Shantarams and Nitin I Boses and Mehboobs can learn ■ much from what Shankar has I done in "Kalpana". CINEMATIC DANCES Shankar has not been content I with merely photographing his I old popular dance and ballet I items. Not only has he introduced I a large number of new dance I compositions but he has given a filmic treatment to all the dances, old or new. This has required a readjustment of dance movements for cinematic needs as also the utilisation of all camera devices to fully exploit the beauty and grace in each dance item. Special mention must be made in this connection of the fine mu- sical score provided by Shirali who has been associated with Shankar for a very long time. Using only Indian instruments, Shirali has created truly impres- sive music — both in orchestration for the dances and in background effects, Never before have the or- chestral possibilities of Indian music been so well and fully ex- ploited. THE STORY The story of the film is more than just a string to join together the dances — and yet it falls short of the requirements for a full- fledged cinema story. Shankar, genius as he is, got hold of a novel and first rate idea — the psycho- logical development of an artist and of his artistic vision. He wanted to show the effect of en- vironment on the artist's charac- ter and personality. He wanted to emphasise the contrast between the imagination (Kalpana) of an artist and the hard reality that surrounded him. He wanted to ex- plore the sore spots of society. But, due to the weakness in the narrative itself and to the sketchi- ness of the scenario, some of these things have remained obscure and 43 Apply for Booking:— NAVAYUG CHITRAPAT LTD., SHANKARSETH ROAD. POONA I arch, 1948 FILMINDIA Veena Kohli and Rehan in a romantic moment in "Roop Rekha", Chi. trakala Mandir's maiden picture. || unnoticed in the picture. While I! all will no doubt relish the pic- Jk ture as an aesthetic delight, and I applaud its stinging satire on the H Maharajas and the Money-bags, ■ not all will grasp the subtler im- 11 plications of the narrative, or the I: symbolic significance of some cf II the dream and dance sequences. One widies Shankar liad secur- I ed the services of a team of expe- I rienced and imaginative screen I writers to collaborate with him on I the screenplay. As it is, even the A dialogue-writers and the lyricists I have not served him well enough, ^having given academic dialogues "land songs that arc a little too /Bsubtle for the mass mind. The re- 'Jtvolutionary technique of fiash- ■ back-within-flashback, dreams and I symbolic sequences, makes it stili I more difficult for the average cine- ■ goer to fuily comprehend the story. I Moreover one feels that originally ■ the picture was too long end ln^ II been drastically cut to bring it I within a reasonable running time. I thereby losing certain threads of I continuity. AMALA SCORES In a picture which concerns the I life of dancers and which stars ■ already well-known dancers like BShankar and his wife, Amala, a ■ certain amount of stylized actinj; Vishnudas Shirali — Music Di- rector of "Kalpana" is to be expected. Yet, apart from the dance sequences (in which, of course, he is superb) Shankar himself rather lacks that fluidity of expression and natural ease of movement that are required for the screen. His faulty Hindustani diction, too. is a handicap. Amala Devi, however, definitely scores and makes a bid for the front rank of stardom. She has an at- tractive personality, very photo- genic, and she can act with more polished ease. Among other arti- stes, Lakshmj Kanta (as Kamini, the jealous society girl) makes a promising debut, while Farman Ali, the boy who plays the young Udayan, puts over an outstand- ing performance. SUMMING UP "Kalpana", however, is a pic- ture which (like Beauty itself) de- fies analysis and should not be analysed and dissected. It is a thing of beauty which needs to be seen and appreciated and relish- ed. That Uday Shankar's progres- sive vision has invested this beau- ty with a social purpose raises it to the level of great, inspired Art dedicated to the service of huma- nity. No other picture like "Kalpa- na" has so far been produced. It is unlikely that another such pic- ture will be made. But it will be remembered for a long time and will leave an indelible impress on the artistic content of the Indian cinema. Veera has a charming role in Jagat Pictures' maiden social "Veena" 45 K.8.UU OUR /V£XT DESHDROHI 3 SENSATIONAL REMEMBER ITS ALSO K.B.LALL AHA SH CHI' m a MtHER VILLA. 355 5. GRANT ROAD. BOMBAY. 7 OUR REVIEW " Mehndi " Gives A Bad Headache ! Muslim Social Fails To Entertain ! MEHNDI Producers: Fazli Films Language: Hindustani Story: Syed M. Fazli Dialogue and ) Songs: I ^Shar Nizami Photography: P. Divecha Audiography: A. Nadir and Panchal Music: Ghulam Haider Cast: Begum Para, Nargis, Murad, Ghory, Jillo Bai, Jani Babu etc. Released At: Capitol, Bombay Date of Release: 19th Decem- ber '47 Directed By: S. FAZLI This is what Muslim producers :all a Muslim social picture. In fact there is nothing specially Muslim about it as the pattern of the plot is typically Indian and as such common to all the communi- ties of India. Nevertheless, it is still a "Muslim Social" because its producers call it so and be- cause not a single Hindu, except, of course, the ever friendly Karan Dewan, has acted, or perhaps, has been permitted to act, in it. The story fails to appeal main- ly because stories with similar themes have come on the screen before — the nearest parallel being "Pehli Nazar" produced by Maz- har Khan. When you see a Muslim social story you mustn't be shocked by the complete absence of Hindus, Christians, Parsis or Jews in it. The characters of these Muslim socials almost always live in a special Garden of Allah where no one except Muslims live. Even in weddings when all the neighbours, whatever their religion, are invit- ed you don't see even a single Hindu even as a solitary sample for future conversion to Islam. RABBLE OF POETS In this particular picture we see the poets of Allah. They are Recruit Thakur R Gurbaxani of 2, Club Road, Bikaner, is 24, a gradu- ate and 5'-8V2'. called "Shayars" who write verses and keep saluting in gratitude when others around cough out their almost too-ready apprecia- tion. The way Muslims like al- most every word of Urdu and every line of any verse written by every and all Urdu poets, it seems that all Muslim poets, without a single exception, are indeed great composers whom Allah has spe- cially sent down to entertain the faithful. Even the women, from behind the curtain, enjoy the Urdu jugglery of words which almost tickles them into marrying some poet or other. The poets also imagine them- selves to be great singers and bray and bellow till you feel the pre- sence of quadrupeds dangerously near. Even this braying and bel- lowing by bearded poets is loudly applauded with "Mashallahs" and "Subhanallahs" by the generous crowd before and behind the cur- tain. S. Fazli has introduced a "mu- shaira", a mutual admiration rab- ble, in the picture. Making this an excuse, he shows us some poets of India in a separate reel and com- pletely destroys the glamour nursed by us through intimate as- sociation with their poems. Except Josh Mallihabadi, not one Urdu poet introduced by Fazli looks a poet. The faces of others have al- most taken away the beauty from their poetic words. What a pity! This clumsy "mushaira" apart, the plot of the story is childishly simple. Kulsum and Nadira are friends. Kulsum is poor and Na- dira is rich and fashionable. Kul- sum marries a poor school tea- cher who soon loses his job and goes to Europe with the help of his wife's ornaments. He returns from Europe and becomes the principal of a school and meets Nadira whom ho inveigles to mar- ry him without telling her of Kul- sum's relationship with him. On the day of the marriage the two friends, Kulsum and Nadira, meet and very soon the story rea- ches its climax in which the tea- cher is exposed and saved from bigamy even though Islam sanc- tions four wives and the Congress Ministries do not come in the way of the Muslims. NARGIS SHINES The entire picture is an ama- teurish attempt. There is nothing experienced or seasoned about it. The story is poor; the dialoguei could have been better and the music is hopelessly poor and unat- tractive. The technical work is careless. The direction of S. Fazli is about the most amateurish part of the picture. It has neither intel- ligence nor imagination. The solitary merit of the picture is the performance of Nargis in the role of Kulsum. It is unusually good because Nargis hasn't to shout or shriek long and passion- ate dialogue in this picture. In the scene in which Nargis discovers the material evidence of her hus- band's intention to marry the other girl and subsequently talks with her brazen faced husband sitting on the same sofa she excels herself and gives a superb per- formance of restrained pathos. Begum Para has nothing to do except weaj- good dresses and wait upon Kulsum. She does all that well. The rest in the picture prove boring. In spite of Nargis's good per- formance "Mehndi" gives a bad headache and bores one stiff throughout, Even the interval doesn't seem to come, then why speculate about the end! "Mehn- di" is not a money maker for ex- hibitors. There are more chances of losing money than making it in this picture. 47 MAYA ART PICTURES PRESENTS H H ffi si 1 n iMiiN Ham DEVAMAND-PAL- G DAS JERMAN Directed Ihj : PHANI MAZUMDAR Produced By ; GHANSHAMDAS For Delhi, V. P. & Punjab: GUPTA PICTURES, DELHI For Further Particulars: — MAYA ART PICTURES, 76, Medows Street, Fort, BOMBAY. HER GLORIOUS SACRIFICE REGAINED M FORGOTTEN LOVE WHATA WOMAN!-- WHAT A SACRIFICE!! WHAT A LOVE!!!--- Directed & Photographed By KEKI MISTRY Produced By: SARAF * Supsr - Tean F e d e r a Productions' Th ought- P rovokin Social SURENDRA MUNAWAR SULTANA Year's in :i Social - WITH - ft SANOBAR ft LEELA KUMARI ft RAMESH SINHA •ft SANTOSH KUMAR ft PROTIMA DEVI •ft MURAD KHAN & WASKAR • Music: K. DATTA Production -Controller: A. K. SAWANT Associate Director: A. R. RAJPUT For Particulars write to:- Super-Team Federal Productions I • L7R REVIEW Jeevan Yatra" A Frivolous And Inconsequential Picture! Takub And Dixit Sustain Audience Interest! Professor N. S. Phadke, the m who claims to have written lie story, is evidently inspired Louis Aragon's novel "Pass- igers of Destiny". Though there very little of the novel left in fe Indian treatment of the sub- ct, the main idea of the bus (urney and even the title "Jeevan atra" ought to be attributed to lie novel above mentioned. No ie from the writer down to the oducer has, however, acknow- |dged any debt to Louis Aragon. In their attempt to remove all iaces of the original, a most intastic and illogical story has jnerged for our entertainment Inch becomes at once uncon- incing ami frivolous. Dewan harar's apt and colloquial dia- igue could have added a lot of |fe to the picture but almost very dialogue has been ruthlessly lurdered in diction by the un- rained Maharashtrian mouths Inch will never learn the sweet jhonetics of Hindustani. ABOUT A CASTAWAY! It all begins with a cheeky bus driver, Murlikaka, who is both a drunkard and womaniser. Mur- likaka has brought up Raja, a castaway, since infancy and made him a cleaner. Raja was the child of love between Yishwas, a poor man, who marries Kalindi, a rich man's daughter. The rich man disposes of the child and chases out his poor son-in-law. Yishwas is later on shown as be- coming a modern Robin Hood, robbing the rich and feeding the poor. After the preamble of Raja's infancy, the main story begins with Raja grown up and on the bus as a cleaner while his guar- dian, Murlikaka, is shown as driv- ing an assorted crowd of pilgrims to Benares. The general behaviour of the l»us driver, of Raja and of the passengers is shown as too frivo- lous and crude to be anywhere near reality. Only in this Raj- Kamla Kotnis and Shahu Modak steal interviews in the age old tradi- tion in Prabhats forthcoming social "Seedha Rasta", a Famous release JEEVAN TATRA Producers: Rajkamal Kala- mandir Language: Hindustani Story: Prof. N. S. Phadke Screenplay, \ Dialogue \ Dewan Sharar and Songs: J Music: Vasant Desai Photography: Mad ha v Bul- bule Audiography: Minu Tampal Cast: Nayantara, Pratima- devi, Shanta Rin, Vijaya, Yakub, Ba- burao Pendharkar, Dixit, Chandrakant, Nimbalkar etc. Released At: Lamington, Bombay. Released On: 7th November '47. Directed by: The late WINAYAK kamal picture can we find a bad behaving bus, bus driver, bus cleaner and bus passengers. Ad- mitting that different people have different foibles, the people them- selves don't proclaim them loud- ly and in a crude manner. It is the writer's and the director's job to touch upon the different frail- ties with the gentle brush of art and in doing so provide delight- fully humourous situations. "Jeevan Yatra" is a crude and loud picture and the characters do not get any sympathy through- out. The very physical' behaviour of the characters is absurd and disgusting. If they had shown the pilgrims seriously proceeding to the home of gods each with his or her own purpose hidden from the other but not from the writer, "Jeevan Yatra" would have become a cle- ver and purposeful picture. In the bus we see a prostitute, a modern eve, a crazy book worm, a sex-conscious 'shastri', Raja's mother, and quite a few others but none of these characters are properly and consistently deve- loped. They do their circus turns in different sequences and pass out without contributing anything to the theme of the story. A JUNGLE TURN Between Sunanda, the modern 41 HELLO EXHIBITORS!! Make your fortune with A TRAGIC COMEDY BOOKING OFFICES * Delhi, U. P. & Eastern Punjab * BENGAL: * C. P. C. I: ^ Particulars: GUPTA PICTURES, C handni Chowk, DELHI. ALPHA TRADERS, 34, Madan Street, CALCUTTA. TALKIE— INDIA, 37, Abdul Rehman Street, BOMBAY. RANGMAHAL LTD., 59, Nakhoda Street, BOMBAY 3. C. S. KESHAVLAL proudly presents A picture full of Fights, Romance, Comedy, Music, Dances and entertainment MIDNIGHT IN BOMBAY SHAHEEN ART PRODUCTION Vroduced and directed by: A. RASHID Associate : A LL A U D I N — .- Cast : — SARLADEVI, DILAWAR, SUNETRA, HABIB, SHANTI MADHOK, SHEIKH, ANWARI & Others. Music Art .— S H A B A B KHAN MASTANA & A. K. PREM Recorded on : — R. C. A World rights controlled by : — Mr. C. S. KESHAVLAL 147, Famous Studios Building, Haines Read, Mahalaxmi BOMBAY 8. f March, 1948 HLMINDlA *ve, and Raja, the cleaner, we see a romance of the touch-and-go variety in which neither the man nor the woman look long at the rainbow of love. A studio storm holds up the bus and the director uses the opportunity for showing the drunkenness and sex-perver- ision of the bus driver and Raja's character and martyrdom. A little later the theme strays into a jungle and the local Robin Hood, Yishwas, takes everyone a prisoner to his treasure island where we see Mohan, a girl with a man's name and quite a few wild men under Robin Hood who dresses like a king manufactured by Maganlal Dresswalla. Raja's parentage is thus drawn near, with both the father and the mother within shooting range. A quarrel between Randhir, the jungle giant and Raja, the travel- ling lothario, brings on the climax in which Randhir is thrown down a valley and is followed by Mohan, the woman with a man's name and Raja is prepared for the same fate judicially. Raja's parentage is however established before he is pushed down — now by his own father— but in the last split second come Randhir and Mohan the rubber lovers, who bounced up alive from the 1000-feet depth of the valley. Death had evident- ly taken a holiday that day and all alive through the picture ex- cept the unfortunate director who reached his ultimate destination long before his artistes could do so. ' I The production values of the picture are erratic. Dewan Sharer's dialogue and lyrics could have saved the story had they been properly pronounced and tuned. The music is rotten and the tech- nical work is bad — just too bad for Rajkamal. Baburao Pendhar- kar's costume as Robin Hood needs a special title and explana- tion. The guy does look funny as he was supposed to be a rebel against anything rich, prosperous and feudal. Probably Maganla! Dresswalla insisted on advertising the feudal costume in lieu of his hills. Nayantara's acting hardly de- wvea any mention. Recruit J. Prakash, (F.Y.C,) co College of Commerce, Wardha, C. P. has a keen desire to join films. He claims Hindi as his mother tongue. Pratimadevi plays Kalindi and looks old and anaemic from youth to old age. It is rather a tall or- der to accept Yakub as a young- ster just out of teens but if we forget this age bar, Yakub does his usual best in the role of 'Raja'. Dixit gives an excellent perfor- mance as the religious hypocrite with an eye on women. His very appearance entertains people. Baburao Pendharkar looks funny as the modern Robin Hood and does nothing of note. Shanta Rin adds sex-appeal to the picture which is crowded by half-a-dozen old women and quite a few doubt- ful young ones. Ximbalkar does not look and speak like a bus driver on the Benares route. He claims the Satara-Kolhapur route. The whole affair is, in short, too frivolous and inconsequential for Rajkamal which boasts of pro- ducing progressive pictures al- ways. At best "Jeevan Yatra" is an idiotic picture and as such too risky an adventure for careful exhibitors. 5l OLTR REVIEW "Geet Govind" Turns Out A Boring Confusion ! Poet Jaideo Becomes Miracle Monger ! It would indeed be a mercy and a national service if Indian pro- ducers kept themselves away from our classics like "Geet Govind", "Meghdoot", "Kadambari", "Sha- kuntala" etc. None of them have either the learning or the inspira- tion to interpret on the screen these cultural heirlooms in their original lofty spirit and beauty. A crowd of uneducated and half- educated film folks often handle such subjects with the same igno- rant enthusiasm which the late Rustom Modi has shown in pro- ducing "Gulbakavli" after pro- bably buying a two-anna story book from the pavements. "Geet Govind" is another mess, with, of course, all the best inten- tions in the world, of the life of a poet who sublimated sex-rela- tionship and gave the emotion of love a spiritual meaning in words which, though apparently shock- ing, did succeed in confusing the people, if not convincing them, about his peculiar spiritual phi- losophy of love, primarily due to the lyrical beauty of the words. The present producers could not bring the original Jayadeo to the screen for fear of making the pic- ture obscene and invoking the wrath of our seemingly ultra-mo- ral Congress ministers. They have, therefore, washed down his poems with Pandit Indra's usual soap- and-water words and made him a miracle-monger. The screen Jaya- deo has thus become an absurd combination of ignorance and com- merce prevalent in our film indus- try. CURVES WITHOUT CLASSICS The screen Jayadeo at times looks like Ranjit's "Tansen", often like Jayant Desai's "Bhaktaraj" and sometimes like Acharya At-' GEET GOVIND Producers: Kanu Desai Pro- ductions Language: Hindi Screenplay: Ramchandra Thakur Dialogue: Sarangpani Lyrics: Pt. Indra and Balam Music: Gyan Dutt Audiography: Indravadan Desai Photography: Naval Bhatt Art Direction: Kanu Desai Cast: Sulochana Chatter jee, Prem Adib, Leela De- sai. David etc. Released at: Majestic, Bom- bay Date of Release: 3rd January 1948 Directed By: RAMCHANDRA THAKUR re's Charudatta while he gives glimpses of Tulsidas, Devdas and all the other 'dases' that punctu- ate the Hindu religious folklore. The pattern of the Jayadee story is also a matter of mixed inspiration and in the situations, the songs and the dialogue you ac- tually see glimpses of old devo- tional pictures and hear echoes of their songs and words. Even the "Navras" dance which Radha gives seems to be a direct inspiration from Atre's "Vasant- sena" with the only difference that Vanmala executed the dance better and expressed more than does Sulochana Chatterjee who seems to specialize only in curves without classics. POET OR SAINT? The story begins with an "Am- rapali" touch which insists on Padma, the adopted daughter of a temple Pujari becoming a "Dev- dasi" to be dedicated to the ser- vice of the gods inside the temple and incidentally be the cynosure of sinful eyes outside the temple. Now Ranjit's "Pujari" steps in in the shape of Poet Jayadeo who takes shelter from a storm and in doing so brings a storm of love into the temple. He seduces Pad- ma by gestures of lyrical and tempestuous love. Vfarch, 1948 Now begins the love lore of Ja- yadeo in trembling and hackney- ed words of Pandit Indra shower- ed on perhaps the most repulsive symbol of womanly beauty. Jayadeo goes through the usual vicissitudes which fell to the lot if Tulsidas, Surdas, Tukaram, Bhaktaraj. Namdev and other 'Devs" and "Dases" of India and after the usual conflict between the believers and the non-believers arrives at the usual spot of per- sonal triumph through the very familiar avenue of idiotic mira- cles, in which the Hindu stone god plays the chief role without the least personal provocation. And thus a poet whom we had always admired for his beauty of lyrical licence is now added to our long string of saints by a mo- tion picture producer. At this rate we must produce saintly stories on our present-day film "poets" like Pandit Indra. Balam, Pradeep. Walli Saheb etc. Walli Saheb will, of course, become a "Pir" and sleep alongside Makhdum Miyan of Mahim. If Jayadeo was a miracle mon- ger who brought down the Gan- ges, even as Jagannatfa Pandit FILM INDIA Spectacular sets make 'Samrat Ashok", a spectacular picture and emphasise the glory of ancient India. forced the river up, where was the need of boring us with long lyrical headaches of Pandit Indra? Most of Panditji'e poetry in this picture consists of calling Krishna by different names. We don't object to all this, but we do protest against making us the victims of fill this boring mess. Love comes riding on a cycle when Afzal meets Vijayalaxmi in "Shanti", a social picture of Firdaus Art Pictures. After paying Rs. 2-8 for a seat one expects the producer to be at least polite with his entertainment and not rude, abusive and boring. CLASSICAL MUSIC The technical side of the pic- ture is pretty attractive — photo- graphy being pleasant and the sound carefully recorded. The best part of the picture is, however, the music of Cyan Dutt. It is at once versatile, classic and appro- priate. It won't, however, become popular but a subject like "Geet Govind" could not possibly have any other music but one with the classical tone and note. Kami Desai's art work is an- other attraction. He liasn't over- done it this time ;><» in "Ram Ra- jya" but all that has been pre- sented is beautiful in conception ami presentation. Kami's concep- tion of the different Hindu trods is more artistic and beautiful than the Almighty's own besj creation —Man. If Kami can immortalize the beauty of these Hindu gods in paintings as Ravivarma did once, we shall at least have a pantheon of attractive gods to compete with the Christian idolatory as reveal- ed in little coloured cards and wax idols. Beautiful gods must needs inspire beautiful thoughts in pre- ference to the terror and fear in- spired by the different faces of Shiva, Kali and Chandika. 53 FILM INDIA March, 1948 Ramchandra Thakur's technical direction is pretty attractive though he has overused the came- ra crane and misused it by using it on a single artiste. The crane is usually used for a crowd or a crowded perspective or for collect- ive movements. He has no scope for emotional direction with an impossible story and with Leela Desai — two factors which will un- nerve the best director in the world. DAVID DOMINATES From the players, David, who plays the Chief Minister, easily beats the others, -though his sta- ture belies his status. In costume roles, David should always sport a moustache and a beard both of which add inches to his person- ality and years to his age — both essentials for the role of the Chief Minister. If a little crepe can make all the difference why not do it! Prem Adib is all nostrils— in and Presents MEENA KUMARI KARA N Dl WAN and AGHA JAN i n PIYA CHAR A 3 A with USHA * S. N TRIPATHI * ROOPA Vitectot: PRAHLAD DUTT •fe Shortly at I our Favourite Theatre Studio Cameras. Projectors, Developing ?nd Printing machines and other itudio accessories. £0 irch, 1948 . IS recruit Brij Mohan Gattani, c o 'eni Madhav Sadan, Arya Nagar, aicknow, is 19, 5'-7|" and can sin? and act. "But that, I think, is not enough, "o conceal our herd like an os- rich in the sand end to imagine hat the enemy is not seeing us i cowardly and foolish and is last commendable. To ban such American films which arc based •n anti-Indian elements in the ndian market to appease the liegruntlcment of a few, does bsolutely no good inasmuch as iecruit Jamshed Yusifzai, c o Mr. I A. Khan, Room No. 15, 1st floor, iheth Jamnadas Building, No. 43, )argahwali Galli, Rapti Road, rwo Tanks, Bombay 8. is 22, 5'-6" md anxious to act in social pictures. it does not save us from being ridiculed abroad, where these pictures are freely screened and welcomed. Thus the real object of holding our head high before the nations of the world is actual- ly defeated. I beg to submit that there is no harm in showing these pictures to the Indians; the real harm lies in screening such pic- tures abroad. This fact must be realized and the alarmists must note it. "If the Government sincerely wishes to save Indians from be- ing tarnished and ridiculed abroad, it should send a delegation to meet the American film industry and settle all controversial mat- ters amicably and move them not to produce such slanderous films against India*. Headers of 'fihn- india' will recall that this is what Syt. Baburao Patel alone did when that notorious; film 'Gangadin' was produced. Mrs. Indrami Devi Pandit. CAWNPORE CANTT. WHAT A COLLEGE GIRL! "By chance I saw the picture "Jugnu". As soon as I saw Xur Jehan featuring as a college girl I felt very much disgusted. I can't understand why the director -elected Nur Jehan who looks like the mother of a college girl to play a girl's role! Record news/ Film : / AJ Kl RAAT. 35263 Kvo le rhala hai yea dil H M.V. Sung by (Suraiva) Meri a^suo meri husrathe Su*"r bv (Suraiya & Durrani) 35264 Sath tumara choot gaya H. M.V. Stincr f>y (Suraiya) Kyo dil me meri basse Sung by I Suraiya & DurranP 35265 Din kushi ka choop gaya H. M.V. Sung by (Suraiya) P»*?r |ri shama ko Sung by (Durrani) 35266 Ro Ro ke sari rat kati H.M.V. Sung by (Suraiya) Aj ki r.-t mohabhat hai Sung by (Suraiya) 35267 Kya ja" e ameri H M.V. Sung by (Meena Kapur) Chotl si kahani Zindagi ki Sung by (Meena Kapur; FILMINDI A Recruit C. A. Jani is well built, 5'-7", knows Hindustani, has a good voice, sings and has experi- ence of school and college drama- ties. Address c o N. Krishnan & Co., Stationers, Bombay Mutual Bldgs., Hornby Road, Fort. Bombay. "Again, from the beginning to the end I don't find any sense in the story. A dfnee sequence pre- senting a college girl exposing four-fifths of her body is extreme- ly vulgar. The conception of the Hostel life shown in the picture is likely to lead to the demorali- sation of students. MYSORE. T. Somasundara. HEMENTA KUMAR. G E 7098 Mukhse mat kuch mang COLUMBIA bhikari— Nirgun Dunya ka her sani pukare— Nirgun MAHAMMED RAFI. 35074H.M.V Kal pada hai kal Pari 1& 2 5997 Yaha badla vaffa — Clarrionet H. M. V. Turj Film " Jugnu " A ja Aja Meri Barbad H M V Film " Anmol Ghadi " 5414 Setar solo Megaphone Megspiune J>y late Prof . Enayat Khan Opp. ARMY & NAVY Stores, Kalagoda. 6! AT HOME AND ABROAD TRIBUTES FUNERAL FILM IN COLOURS BOMBAY, Feb. 5. A documentary film of Mahatma Gandhi's funeral taken by an American jour- nalist and processed in te- chnicolour has been flown to the United States for public exhibition. This, incidentally is the first documentary film on Mahatma Gandhi so far presented on the screen. INDUSTRY'S MEMORIAL FUND BOMBAY, Feb. 18. The executives of all the associations of the film in- dustry, namely, Motion Pic- ture Society of India, Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association, Indian Motion Picture Distributors' Asso- ciation and the Cinema- tograph Exhibitors' As- sociation of India, decided to start a fund for a fitting memorial to Mahatma Gan- dhi by the film industry at a joint meeting specially called for the purpose. As an initial contribution it was decided to earmark all the net proceeds from the exploitation of the short film :'Bapu ki Antim Yatra" which is being distributed in the Dominion of India by the IMPPA through Messrs. Western India Theatres, Ltd., for the industry's Ma- hatma Gandhi Memorial Fund. This short film has been produced jointly by Messrs. Motwane Ltd., Bom- bay and the Eastern Movies Delhi and the songs in the film have been included by cotirtsey of the All India Radio. S. I. FILM TRADE'S HOMAGE MADRAS, Feb. 8. A meeting of the members of the Motion Picture Trade was held on Saturday, Feb- ruary 7 in the premises of the South Indian Film Cham- ber of Commerce, 19, Woods Road, Madras, to pay hom- age to the memory of Ma- hatma Gandhi. B.M.P.A's MOURNING CALCUTTA, Feb. 3. A meeting of the Bengal Motion Pictures Association, held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Sri Bi- rendra Nath Sircar, a resolu- tion was passed condemning in strong terms the dastardly fatal attack on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. FILMING GANDHIJI'S LIFE LONDON, Feb. 14. A short documentary film on the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi will be produced within the next few months by the East-West Film Production Company of London, according to the "United Press of India." In order to collect mate- rial for the film, Mr. Vishnu Sen, one of the producers of the company and the only Indian working as a film producer in England flew to India today. Mr. Sen has just signed a contract with one of the biggest American film dis- tributing companies to sup- ply four Indian films. For some months past he has been doing the preliminary work for a film dealing with Gandhiji's struggle for non- violence and has been in correspondence with Mr. Devdas Gandhi, Gandhiji's youngest son. He now feels, however, that he must contact many people in India before he can fully embark on the docu- mentary film. CINEMA IN THE AIR PRAGUE, Feb. 11 Passengers on Czechoslovak ai , line planes will soon be able tfjl enjoy sound films during flight. The first passenger plane m now being equipped with a cinemf I projector made of special ligh material. The screen will be fixed' between the cabin and the pilot's cockpit. UDAY SHANKAR'S PLAN CALCUTTA, Feb. 10. During his visit to Calcutta irj connection with the release oil "Kalpana", Uday Shankar, tin I world famous dancer gave an in-l terview to a gathering of press rel presentatives during which lit discussed with them the question of starting a National Theatn under the auspices of the National Government. He proposes to meci Prime Minister Pandit Jawahai ■ j lal Nehru at Delhi and submit ; J comprehensive scheme to him. "CHILD STAR" GETS A CHILD SANTA MONICA, Jan. 31. The darling of the world's mil- lions as the child star of the screer a few years ago, Shirley Templi who is now 19 and married to : young man called John Aga gave birth to a daughter whi Kamini Kaushal is .apparentl worried about something goin wrong in "Do Bhai" a Filmistai picture booked for release a Novelty. 62 March, 1948 eighed seven pounds and six unces at the time of birth. Shirley Temple's mother be- ieves that the little baby would robably be christened Linda Su- an. Who chose these names is ot revealed but it seems they e Shirley's own choice. The mother and the child are both in excellent health. WHAT PRICE, PURITANISM? PESHAWAR. Feb. 5. Middle age puritanism is not yet extinct in the small town of Charsadda in the X. W. Frontier FILM INDIA Recruit T K. Pattabhiram, of Room No. 76, Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute, Matunga, Bombay, is 5'- 10", knows Urdu and Hindi and can also sing. Province where the people would not tolerate a cinema theatre. Unlike Bombay, Charsadda does not suffer from scarcity of land for building purposes and the ob- jection is not founded on the ne- cessity of banning the construc- tion of luxury houses. It is much more fundamental. The virtuous citizens of Charsadda refuse to agree to the view that the cinema does not in any way affect the peoples' morals. Their opinion is different. They would never per- mit their women and children to see a cinema, for their morals, ac- cording to the men in Charsadda, are more brittle than their own. The management of the pro- posed cinema theatre paraded a drum-beating party through the lanes of the town announcing that the cinema will be banned to wo- men and children. But that as- >uranco would not satisfy the hard-boiled males of Charsadda who persist in their belief that all films are an evil. And so Charsad- da will have to go without a ci- nema theatre! DAVID NIVEN REMARRIED LONDON. Jan. 15. The wedding took place here on January 11. of David Niven, popular screen star and Mrs. Attractively designed lady's watch. Elegant man's watch, illustrated 5i"'» illustrated to actual si^e. to actual si^e, antimagnetic and In rolled gold case with steel back shock absorber movement, in and fashionable optic glass. water-proof steel case. No nU .. Ri. 170'- No. 9043 .. Rs Ml - Eterna, a triumph of watch craftsmanship- brilliant beauty — elegant slimness — perfect accuracy ; and remember Eterna watches come to you only through the famous House of FAVRE-LEUBA FAVRE - LEUBA & CO.. LTD. BOMBAY & CALCUTTA 63 FILMINDI A March, 1948 Hjordis Tersmeden, former wife of a Swedish business man. They first met when Mrs. Tersmeden, a 25-year old blonde arrived in London from Sweden. Niven fa a widower of 45 with two sons. His first wife died nearly two years ago after falling down a flight of steps at Tyrone Powers home in Hollywood. BUT THAT IS MADRAS MADRAS. Jan. 25. Laying the foundation stone of Paradise theatre of Tamil Nadu Talkies this morning at the i unc- tion of Mount Road rnd Patullo Road, Mr. H. Sitaram Peddi, Minister for Industries and La- bour, emphasized the need for Mfdras having good theatres like other bigger cities of India and hoped that the cinema industry in the province would develop on proper lines combining emertain- ment with education. Mr. Reddy emphasized that the amenities needed in a theatre should be provided at a cost within the reach of the common people. "In the present changing J Shah Nawaz has some worldly wisdom to teach Suraiya, who does not quite relish it, in "Aaj ki Raat", a Famous Films' social running at the Minerva, Bombay.. world," he said, they should make an attempt to provide comfort- able seats and good view of a pic- true for the common man as much as for the rich who could afford til psy more. In Bombay, however, the au-j thorities never have any time tcl look at the most rotten theatres! with all possible inconveniences! and discomfiture to the millions oil its picturegoers! PEACE BE TO HIS SOUL! MOSCOW, Feb. 12. Sergei Eisenstein, Russia's great-! est film director and producer I passed away on the 10th Febru-j ary at the age of 50. He had! been working recent'y on the se-l cond part of his three-part film I "Ivan the Terrible". Eisenstein was born in 18981 and had been film producer since! 1924. His great film "Ivan the! Terrible" won for him the repu- 1 tation of Russia's premier film I director. SOVIET GIFT TO INDIAN CHILDREN The PATNA, Jan. 24. "Kishore Dal", a child-: "Don't do it only cowards commit suicide" says Suraiya to Motilal in "Aaj ki Raat." Famous Films' social now running at the Minerva. ren's organization of Bihar withM headquarters at Patna, has receiv-B ed two Soviet films, namely, "Bee- thovan's Concert" and "Holiday in Moscow" from the Society of Cultural Relations with other 64 larch, 1948 FILMINDIA Countries in the U.S.S.R., as a [ift from Soviet Russia to Indian hildren. The films will be released portly in Patna. NON-STOP FILM PROJECTOR LONDON, Feb. 12. A new film-projection cabinet ias been devised in Britain to rovide a continuous reproduction |f films in shops, railway stations Ind exhibitions, where the audi- ence is continuously changing, as well as in factories and schools, where it is desirable to repeat screening at frequent intervals. A 16-mm film is used, the pic- tures of which are projected by mirrors on to the screen. The film is then wound round a series of small pulleys placed in a cir- cle and so arranged that the por- tion that is first rolled up is also the first to be unrolled. About 1G.000 feet of 16-mm sound or silent films can thus be operat- ed continuously. Starting and stopping are ef- fected by push buttons, and vol- ume control and tone control are provided. Two safety-cut-outs are fitted, which stop projection auto- matically should the film break and the film can also be stopped automatically. The projector operates on al- ternating currents and is easily portable. TWO MORE COMMITTEES BOMBAY. Feb. 20. The Government of Bombay have appointed two new commit- tees on visual education. One of the committees will consist main- ly of educationists and its func- tion will be to give general advice on the use and material of visual education. The other committee will consist of technicians and will advise on the technical side of educational films. The subject of producing edu- cational films for schools has been before the government for over a year now and with the appoint- ment of the two committees it is to be hoped that the actual pro- duction work may be taken up in hand at some convenient time. KAY FRANCIS IN HOSPITAL COLUMBUS (Ohio), Jan. 23. Kay Francis, well known stage and movie star was brought to a local hospital in an unconscious condition today. After being ad- mitted as an "emergency patient" the police arrested her stage ma- nager for investigation. Howard Graham of New York was taken into custody by the police four hours after Kay Francis became suddenly ill in i hotel. KASHMIR FILM IN D. S. NEW YORK, Feb. 1. Lieut.-Col. N. D. Ghandy, Ma- naging Director of the Education Films Guild of Bombay, arrived here by air today with a docu- mentary film "Kashmir Story" to arrange for its distribution and exhibition in the United States of America . * PRESENT ^ A TREASURE POSSESSION. UNDEB PB0PUCTION dAMHANGCOTHI cJADU ISHEHANAI RATAN MANcJAM PEADU FOB RELEASE GAIBI TALWAB cIADlI- BANSAM FOR PARTICULPRS: DAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL Co., KHETIUADI MAIN ROAD, BOMBAY. 4. 65 FILMINDI A March, 1948 STILL SOWING WILD OATS? LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14. Wallace Beery, fifty eight-year- old famous film star featured as the defendant in a paternity suit by "bit" player Gloria Whitney, who asserted that Beery was the father of her son born on Febru- ary 7th. Miss Whitney described Beery as a "prominent motion picture character of great wealth and af- fluence possessed of moneys and properties in excess of 1,000,000 dollars". The actress also requested the court that Beery be ordered to pay medical and hospital expens- es. Miss Whitney's attorney said she and Beery had been friends for several years. A PRINCE MIGHT ENVY! NEW YORK, Feb. 5 Bing Crosby, Hollywood's well known film star, earned last year more than £ 165,000 as royalties from gramophone records and £150,000 from 39 broadcasts on the radio. In addition to this he is also believed to have made an- other £150,000 from films, ac- cording to the local magazine, "Variety". Crosby has many other irons in Shahu has said something an Rasta", a social d made Kamla wistful in story of Prabhat. 'Seedha the fire and from his own film company, land development, sports arena, manufacture of non- alcoholic drinks, horse breeding and ownership of a base ball club he makes huge annual earnings. BRITAIN WARNS HOLLYWOOD LONDON, Jan. 25: Mr. Harold Wilson, President of the British Board of Trade, When Editor Baburao Patel left for America by a TWA plane on the 16th February, friends gave him a hearty send-off. warned Hollywood recently tha its embargo on films for Britai| would never force the Britisj Government to lower its 75 pt cent tax on foreign film earnings, If American producers persis in their embargo, Mr. Wilson tol the House of Commons, Britis movie theatres would just have t stop showing double features wit twice weekly change of progran me and make up with new Britis films and re-issues. He reiterated the Government] stand that Britain would relax 3 the case of American films on! to the extent British films eai dollars in the United States. CHURCHES TURNED INTO CINEMAS NEW YORK. Feb. 7. The "Jesuit Mission Magazine] of New York declares that til Catholic Church in North Chirl is in danger of annihilation thj year as a result of a two-yes campaign of persecution by Ch nese communists. Father Calvert Alexander, eq tor of the magazine, who travel led through North China la year reported that during 1946-4 Chinese communists execute fnurdered or tortured to death 4 Catholic priests and brothers arj converted 123 churches into cinj ma theatres. 66 [arch, 1948 FILM INDIA CINEMA ACT AMENDMENT NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 Replying to Mr. Basant Kumar IDas in the Dominion Parliament today, Home Minister Sardar ?atel said that Government pro- nosed to introduce a bill shortly for the amendment of The Cine- matograph Act, 1918, in order to hestrict to adults the exhibition of ilms not considered suitable for children and adolescents. It was broposed that an adult should be defined as a person over 18 years Df age. MR. BABURAO PATEL BOMBAY, Feb. 19. Editor Baburao Patel had to leave suddenly for America to undergo a serious stomach opera- tion at the Mayo Clinic in Roch- ester. He flew by a T.W.A. plane on the 16th instant accompanied by his wife and daughter. A cable received here today informs of his safe arrival in New York. Mr. Patel has been suffering from a bleeding duodenal ulcer for (the last year and a half and his condition having become serious, doctors advised him to undergo a partial gastrectomy operation which is considered a serious sur- gical risk even in America. Mr. PatcTs address in America will be c|o The American Express Co., Inc., 5th Avenue. New York. Sulochana Chatterjee unfolds all her charms in "Veena", Jagat Pictures' first production. Bamesn ainna pom-ays toe mo- dern youth full of fervour for national regeneration in Shanti Pictures' maiden social "Kuchh Naya" MAY HE REST IN PEACE! BOMBAY, Feb. 24. Death took place on Monday, February 23rd, of Mr. Chimanlal M. Luhar, B.Sc, aged 47, a vete- ran director, cameraman and pro- ducer, well-known for years in the industry. One of the few technicians with a University degree in the indus- try, Mr. Luhar started his career as a cameraman in the Kohinoor Film Co., and later joined the Sharda Film Co., and the Krishna Movietone. Having again joined the Sharda Film Co. as a partner, he floated an independent concern as "Mehta-Luhar Productions" which did not succeed. Mr. Luhar then joined the Sa- gar Movietone as a director and he was the first to direct Sagar's old poular team of Sabita Devi and Motilal in their picture "Sil- ver King". At the Sagar Movie- tone he also directed a few other pictures. He then joined the Pra- ka*h Film Co. and directed, un- der its banner, what became his best picture, "Station Master". Mr. Luhar later started his own independent concern called the Sun Art Productions and produc- ed two pictures under its banner — "Bindia" and "School Master". Mr. Luhar was a simple, unas- suming, refined and cultured gen- tleman, genial v.nd affectionate with friends and honest and sincere in his work. He was suffering for some months from stone in the kidney and underwent an operation at the local Harkisondas Hospital re- cently, but that did not cure him of his ailment to which he ulti- mately succumbed. We wish lasting peace to his soul. Chimanlal M. Luhar 67 CHITRALAYA LTD. (Bombay) "Apni Chhaya", the maiden ambitious production of this new concern is making fast progress at the Bombay Talkies' studios at Malad. Directed by Santoshi, the picture stars Sulochana Chatterjee and Bahvant Singh in the leading roles. Radha Kishen who leads the support consisting of a number of popular artistes is cast in a comic role portraying the ironies and comic aspects of life. FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) "Seedha Rasta", a Prabhat pic- ture, released in Bombay recently through this well-known distri- buting concern is now running at the local Central Talkies. Their next release will be Romeo and Juliet, a Nargis Art Productions picture, starring Nargis and Sapru and directed by Akhtar Hussain. R. K. FILMS (Bombay) The first ambitious production of this concern, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor is com- pleted and is now in the editing room. Bearing the fiery name "Aag", the picture features seve- ral stars in leading roles, namely, Nargis, Kamini Kaushal, Kanwal Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. The picture, according to all reports, is expected to be a fine production. M. & T. FILMS LTD. (Bombay) Started recently, this concern is now no longer new and its acti- vities are expanding very quickly. Besides sponsoring studios and independent producers with finance, the company is combining in its own business, all the three bran- ches of the industry, viz., produc- tion, distribution and exhibition of pictures. Their newly built studio is be- ing equipped with (he most up to date machinery where seve- ral pictures sponsored by the con- 68 cern are always under production. They are now making a selection of subjects for the stories of the pictures they themselves intend to produce shortly. The executives of the company have an ambitious plan of developing it into an ideal concern conducted on the most modern scientific lines. C HITRAK AL A MANDIR LTD. (Calcutta) Produced at Lahore at the well- known Pancholi studios, "Roop Rekha" is the forthcoming picture of this concern which depicts a story of the time old dispute be- tween labour and capital. Direct- ed by Samar Ghosh, the picture is produced by Padam Mahesh- wary who also wrote the story while the dialogue is written by the editor of Punjab's well known Urdu daily "Veer Bharat". Lyrics come from his pen as well as two others' — H. K. Premi and Devr Dinesh. Music direction is doi by Rabi Roy Chowdhuri and t] late Pandit Amarnath. The picture stars two new coe ers to the screen — Veena Kol and Rehman — and the suppo consists of Ajmal, G. X. But Smriti, Durga Mota, Asha Posle Tufail and Pannalal. It has a ready been censored and no awaits release. ARVIND AND AN AND (Bombay Written and directed by Sflj Tn^hi and also produced by hi under the banner of this new pri ducing concern, "Khidki" is n ported to be a picture replete wit comedy, tragedy, humour, mel Parai Aag". their maiden screenplay, starring Ullhas and Munnawar Sultana is now ready for release. The picture was directed by Xajam Xaqvi and fea- tures Mumtaz. A. Shah. W. M. Khan and Ziloobai in the support- ing cast. The distribution of the N 16771 N 16772 N 16T73 N 16774 N 16775 DEEP JALAO IARAT JAI ATHAPUTLI SONG KYA KAHUN BAH ATI JA KARTIKEYA ETERNAL MELODY ( DREAM OF RHYME (NRITYA DWANDA RASA LEELA FOLK SONGS Hear them at your dealer wee THE GRAMOPHONE CO.. LTD. UM DUM - BOMBAY - MADRAS - OEuHl i It's a magic flute which Prakash is playing in Mohan Pictures' musi- cal "Jadui Bansari".. picture for Western Pakistan has been entrusted to Messrs. Ever- shine Pictures of Lahore. Their next picture now on the sets is christened '"Faiida". DIAMOND PICTURES LTD (Bombay) Before releasing Bombay Cine- tone's "Samrat Ashok", an ambi- tious picture acquired by this well-known distributing firm, they are waiting for the renovation of the Royal Opera House which will be completed by the 11th of March. Arrangements are now on for some unusually attractive de- corations to the picture house for the gala opening of the picture on the 12th March at the hands of some well-known public man. Their "Sham Savera" appears to have proved a surprise picture at the Imperial Cinema where it is having a good run. The company is contemplating to secure a well-known film studio in Bombay with a view to financ- ing and producing a picture in association with a well-known pro- ducer-director. 7, FILMINDIA March. 19 Husnara is up to some amusing mischief in Mohan Pictures' magic-cum stunt picture "Jadui Angoothi", directed by A. M. Khan. AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) Having completed his first pic- ture "Samrat Aihpk" under the banner of the Bombay Cinetone Ltd., Producer K. B. Lall has floated this new concern and is already making fast progress with the production of "Apna Raj", under its banner. The picture stars Sapru and Ullhas with a new face in the female lead. "Deshdrohi" is the name of the next picture to be produced by this concern and it will shortly be go- ing on the sets. re- SHANTI PICTURES (BombayV A new producing concern cently started under the title of Shanti Pictures has now nearly completed its maiden picture "Kuchh Naya", produced by Kantilal R. Acharya., and directed by Ninu Muzumdar who has also written the story for the picture. The producers intend to make this picture a departure from the common rut of hackneyed love- story pictures and convey some- thing new as is indicated by the title of the picture. The shooting of the picture is now progressing rapidly at the Mohan Studios, Andheri. Lead- ing roles in the picture are played by Sudha and Ramesh Sinha. with a support headed by Ramesh Arora, Purnima and Chowdhari. deals with the life of a Devdi who strives her way towards tj respectable life of a socially wej ded lady. Raja Paranjape, w| has directed the music is report to have given many lilting tur to the songs. The picture has cast of popular artistes headed Saroj Borkar and Shalini and su ported by Chandrakant, Gokhl and Vinay Kale. SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) A band of veteran film work« having joined together under t leadership of Mr. Sharaf, ha formed the new concern nam above. They have already stai ed the production of their fh picture under its banner at t Central Studios and the name gi en to the picture is "Meri Kalian The picture is being directed the veteran cameraman Keki M tri, who is also responsible for photography. The story of t picture comes from the pen Wahid Qureshi, while the music entrusted to K. Datta. The p: ture has a big cast consisting Surendra and Munnawar Sulta in the lead with Pratima De Sanobar, Leila Kumari, Rame Sinha, Santosh Kumar, Mur Khan and Waskar in the suppo It is being produced by Mr. Sli raf and supervised by A. K. Sa ant, the controller of productioi JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) A private trial was held recent- ly of their maiden social, "Veena" starring Sulochana Chatterjee, Rehman, and supported by Veera, Hemavati, Leela Misra, Girdhari and Yaqub, and according _ to available reports the picture gives pleasant entertainment with Ya- qub's rib-tickling comic perfor- mance, Sulochana's songs _ and Hemavati 's dances. Anil Biswas is reported to have scored once again with the picture's music. Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd.. Globe Mills Passage, off Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published by him lor " filmindia " Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshab Mehta Road, Fort. Bombay. SHAH PRODUCTIONS (Poona) Their maiden social picture, pro- duced in two versions, Hindi and Marathi is named "Do Kalivan" in Hindi and "Balidan" in Mara- thi. The story of the picture Hemavati has an important rl in "Veena", Jagat Pictures' maicg production. .Voir Ready For Release For bubbling romance, lilting melodies and colourful dances, there is nothing to surpass this social entertainer. PHRRI RMS YOU WE 1*07 S£IH /MANY P/CTt/RE SO FAR A/tYTH/NG ME MAT TH/S P/CTURE Wilt MOLD BEFORE YOMmS/ ;hanti pictu res 3* """v* gw, "a e*7 *oad \1 RE CD No.B 3517 LAND Rs.Z/- FOREIGN Sh.4/6 THE WUStUM OF MODERN* Received: "ANYAYA" (INJUSTICE) IS THE TENTATIVE TITLE OF THE PICTURE IN WHICH Mme. DEVIKA RANI WILL BE AT HER BEST CULLED FROM SOME OF BOMBAY TALKIES' BEST FAVOURITES! "The J^ictatQ ii nour in the fjinal editing itage Produced & Directed By : J. S. CASSH YAP For territorial rights please contact : — Grams. BOX OFFICE Phone : 4 3400 Seksaria Building, Sandhurst Road, B O M B A Y 4. COMES THE STORMIEST BEST OF THE YEAR / <£tarx'uiq: VEENA KOHLI * REHAN * smriti * ASHA POSLEY * DURGA MOTA & BUTT STORY & SCREEN PLAY. MUSIC: PADAM MAHESHWARY Late Pt. AMARNATH DIRECTED BY: SAMAR GHOSE CHITRA KALA MANDIR LTD. YEAR AFTER YEAR THE WORLD'S SEE YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER T7? AGAIN IN 1947, Chevrolet was the world's best- selling car. For twelve out of the last thirteen car- production years, motorists have bought more Chevrolets than any other make. There must be 2 reason why, year after year, more people drive Chevrolets than any other car. There is a reason. Year after year, Chevrolet brings you, consistently, Finer BIG-CAR QUALITY AT LOWEST COST— brings you, consistently, the greatest value in the low price field. GENERAL MOTORS INDIA LIMITED ir Serving the country's transport needs for almost twenty years from our factory in Bombay SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month Is : INLAND FOREIGN: Rs. 24/- Shillings 50/- Subscriptlon is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.j w||| not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD. 55. SIR PHIROZESH AH MEHTA ROAD, FORT. BOMBAY. Telephone : 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. APRIL 1948 No. 4. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page inside Rs. 400 Half Page inside Rs. 210 J Page inside Rs. 120 J Page inside Rs. 150 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 500 4th Cover Rs. 600 1st Cover Rs. 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. Von V 'Mutdet 9 Makatma ^ain I ■QWatnuy % TL tfodtei' Of) %e Tllm (JnclulttLf The news that several film producers are con- niplating the production of films on the life of (lahatma Gandhi has given us a shock. And when IV are told that of all of them, even the Ranjit Bovietone is making preparations for filming the le of Gandhiji, we feel actually horrified. The honest truth is— and every decent and sin- jje person in the Industry will admit it— that pre is not a single producing concern in India to- ty capable of picturising Gandhiji's life. There is r actor in the country who can portray that great ent on the screen and there is not one director to can do justice to such an epoch-making film. ; Our film producers have already scandalised hdreds of the great Indians of the glorious past ■aints, poets, philosophers, kings, emperors, war- ps and others— whom history has immortalised 0 mythology has glorified by making them look al act like clowns and mountebanks or loafers and fasites. They have not spared the Hindu gods Mi goddesses nor even the incarnations of God Jnself hkc Rama and Krishna from their on- JJglit. ( Xor have the Muslim heroes like Ghazi ■anuddin or the Muslim emperors, all the way ■rn Babar to Shahjehan, escaped this 'film mur- [' .*V, 18 munier that these producers have ■imitted, for they have mercilesslv killed the beau- II conception that we had formed of such great hons from what we learned about them in history, rthology, folk-lore or legend. k Ji1CKfi,hn 1,,;(,,,h,I('ers gave us a Vikram who look- land behaved like a cowherd, a Vidoor who act- kin Br, ' a" Akbar *ho ^embled an opium 7, CTll,n?'™n, a Babar like a doorkeeper, Ka- v yf ■ T S** I(,0ked di8siP*^ hashish n ?r l] M,('htas and Namde0s ^at acted 1 professional cooks and gluttons living on fune- h rr l Z ' ^ , tHat l0°ked Hkc extraS «"* t\ nrd-rate actors, and Narads like circus clowns They have given us Savitris, Seetas and Damayan- tis who resembled dancing girls and vamps. „n onhere,is hai'dly any 0nc out of India's incom- parable galaxy of Rishis, mahatmas, Saints and Sa- s and great men and women whom the film has faithfully represented and there is not a single pic- ture made so far which has correctly interpreted the message or the ideas of any one of 'them Tr has even adhered wholly to historical truth Most of the Indian film poducers ha,ve not yet qualified themselves for producing anything better ver andCk7i?d. ""5 a thousand fnd stuffed silly sequences, vulgar songs and dances and almost obscene jokes. And moFe often than not, they have met with colossal FaihSes whenever they have tried to produce biographical or documentary pictures. «*P"«-di UnV,HVC are- hmvfVC1;. Prepared to forgive them their belittling and ridiculing those mythological and le- gendary characters inasmuch as we have never per- sonally seen them and we cannot find fault wTth the producer for having his own low conception of the personality of any one of them. But we can never forgive a producer portray- ing Gandhiji in the same shoddy manned for we have lived with Gandhiji, have heard him and seen him, and we know that a man has yet to be born who can represent him on the screen or the stage At present there is no one who can pose for a mo- on picture with even the remotest semblance with the worlds greatest man of the millennium. Apart from that, knowing as we do our present producers, it would be impossible for anv one of them to infuse the picture with the spi i/of Gan- 3 By all modern standards, the NEVELECTOR is today's most advanced Mercury Arc Rectifier. Con- verting A.C. to smooth Direct Current for operating your High Intensity Arc Lamps, the NEVELECTOR incorporates several new features which we would like to show and explain to you. For this Rectifier, as for all G.K. equipment, we extend a comprehensive after-sales service. Exhibitors are most welcome to come and see this and other equipment in our new showrooms and demons- tration theatre. There is no need to make an appointment. FORBES BUILDING HOME STREET BOMBAY SOCIETY CINEMA, 2 CORPORATION PLACE, CALCUTTA KHALEEL MANS ONS, 35, MOUNT ROAD. MADRAS DJK nil, 1948 FILM INDIA Is not enough "evil already wrought by Nathu- lm Yinayak Godse by murdering Gandhiji once? Lt then, therefore, our Film producers spare us the |rture of seeing Gandhiji murdered over again in pir films. "We earnestly .request all the film producers of [dia. therefore, to just carry on their life mission I producing those boy-meets-girl pictures for which Ine they are eminently fitted, temperamentally, llturally and intellectually. They have no business | exploit Gandhiji for crowding up their box-offi- They have offended him enough during his life- le by producing pictures that have demoralised nation, and which understandably prejudiced a against all films. Let them now refrain from priding his soul in the higher world where it uld, out of sheer regard for the Mahatma, be wed its hardest earned and well-deserved rest eternal peace. And we tell them that if they do not heed warning and persist in 'film-murdering' the hatma. "filmindia" will take upon itself the duty frustrating their efforts. We do not mean, however, that at no time and io circumstances the Mahatma 's life can be film- (Jie a modern mother, Shanta Apte shows the Muliar taste of dressing Baby Nanda (Wina- tk's daughter) in boy's clothes in "Mandir", Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden social. Veera dissuades Rehman from doing something rash in Jagat Pictures' maiden social 'Veena". ed. After some time when we have recovered from the shock of the Mahatma 's death and are able to comprehend the fullness and richness of his life, the national Government should take the lead in ap- pointing a committee of the best brains in the coun- try— including the best script-writers in the indus- try— to prepare a script of the film on Gandhiji's life. It will not be an easy task to compress such a long and active life within the compass of a single film, however long it may be, nor will it be easy to dramatise the events in Gandhiji's life for filmic purposes and yet retain the spiritual loftiness of his character. Then the selection of a proper person to play the role itself n;ay take years. Only then, and under the strict supervision of the Government and of authorities on Gandhiji's life and the Gandhian philosophy, can a combination of the country's best directors, producers and technicians go to work on the film, in a reverential spirit. Though even the best of films can only be a pale reflection of the Mahatma 's noble life, yet if produced with care and reverence it may be a source of inspiration for generations to come who will not have the good for- tune to have lived in the era of the Mahatma. But in no circumstances can the life of Gandhiji be al- lowed to be tampered with for purposes of individual glory and private profit of any one producer. Introducing the long awaited Genuim "MIRROPHONIC" SOUND EQUIPMENT THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR "A SYMBOL C QUALITY EQUIPS QUALITY SOU! SYSTEM FOR E\ THE ATP NOW available ex stoi \ INTERNATIO Phone: 20892. NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5, N. Y. 16 HE VOICE OF THE THEATRE Speaker Systems roved that conclusive and comparative unbiased tests by the Research Duncil of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of U. S. A. mfirm the claims of ALTEC LANSING that their " VOICE OF TBE EEATRE " Speaker Systems are a tremendous improvement over all pre- vious Speaker Systems of all makes. 0 + Higher efficiency it Wider frequency range with better transient response it New permanent magnets it No backstage resonance * A higher safety factor at increased power )f An improved overall presence with a much better definition sound quality WITH ALTEC LANSING "THE AMBASSADOR" "THE STATESMAN" AND "THE CHAMPION" Sound Systems res from 500 to 5000 seats. KIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., '7 M'S ROAD, BOMBAY 4. A D R A S Mount Road, ADR AS 2. Telegram "SOUNDHEAD" LONDON 21, Wormwood Street LONDON E. C. 2. Vriktmsib Ufa PERFUMED CASTOR OIL Just any hair oil will not help you if your hair is curly, unruly and rebellious. Swastik's Perfumed Castor Oil will bring out all the glory of such hair and will also enable you to dress it properly. Enchantingly perfumed, Swastik's Perfumed Castor oil is an acknowledged favourite among men and women of discriminating tastes. Other quality Swastik products include Perfumed Castor Oil, Kanti Soap and other toilet soaps, Swastik Shaving Stick and Washing soaps. SWASTIK OIL MILLS LIMITED, BOMBAY. II: n a This section is the monopoly of ''JUDAS'1 and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. AN HE SPELL "CULTURE"? Sardar Chandulal Shah of Ranjit Movietone Horse brand) has left for a holiday junket to Ge- eva — as a member of the official Indian delegation ) the International Conference on Freedom of In- timation!— accompanied by his partner. Miss Oo- ar, in the capacity of secretary. The Government " India will foot the bill. In Geneva, the Horec-birnd silver-haired pro- Licer of "Toofan Mail" and "Bhola Shikar" will sit ith the leading intcl'ectuals. philosophers, scholars, litors, artists and educational film experts. We lave it to the imagination of our readers to decide |hat kind of figure Chandulal will cut in that (lg'ist assembly. In a sort of apologetic press note issued to in- oduce the delegation to the public, Chandulal ah is introduced as "an expert on information ms." Ha! Ha!! Ha!!! What a joke! We know Sardar Chandulal Shah — the Sardar the Indian film industry- — as producer of about 0 such masterpieces as "Toofan Mail". "Gun Sun- ri'. 'Miss 1933'. 'Toofani Taruni'. 'Char Chakram' lola Shikar". 'Do Badmash'. 'Toofani Toli'. 'Bazi- 'Dhandora', 'Sitamgar', 'Ban Ki Chidiya' and eturn of Toofan Mail'. We know Chandula.l Shah, the race horse-owner, nter and bookie, as a familiar figure on the race urse. We know Seth Chandulal Shah as a bazar erator with a perthi of his own in Kalbadevi. )m where he and his brother play high stakes in tton. bullion, stocks and shares. But Chandu'al Shah, as a.n expert on "Infor- ition films"? Chandu'al as a delegate to an Inter- tional Conference? Chandulal as an emissary of lture? Chandulal to speak on behalf of India on 3 subject of Freedom of Information? Oh. yea. >ds of New Delhi! Have mercy on our souls. Any number of names, infinitely more suitable an Chandu'al Shah, cou'd be suggested if Sardar llabhbhai Patel was anxious to have some one to ?ak on information r.nd educational films and on cultural aspect of films. Names like Harin Chat- ladhyaya.. I'day Shankar. Nitin Bosc. Krishna >pal. Prithviraj Kapoor, Shantaram, Chetan and! Why HAD it to be Chandu!a.l. of all peo- •> Will someone in the Government of India ex.- >in? IE THE CENSORS SLEEPING? Our film censors have become very sensitive JUt "immoral" scenes. Even in foreign pictures the lips cannot be shown touching the wine glass — in drinking scenes. A few feet are cut to "honour" the Government's prohibition policy, notwithstand- ing the jerk ca.used in the continuity! The censors are just as lynx-eyed about the merest physical ex- pression of love, that eternal human instinct which has defied the censors of the world for many, many thousand years. The brutality and beastliness of some exploiters cannot be vividly shown on the screen. The censor is there to guard the political and economic status quo. to ban any revolutionary content in any film. But it seems the honour of India and Indians, the prestige of the Oriental peoples, mean nothing to these censors. Every now and then foreign films are allowed to be freely shown in this country which libel the Arabs or slander the Negroes or make re- marks about "Oriental" cruelty or "Eastern" bar- barism. Even films with scenes and dialogue cast- ing aspersions on the honour of India and Indians are pa-scd. Like the devotional Hindu woman, Gita makes her bow with folded hands in T. K. Screen Classics' maiden picture "Batohi" FILM INDIA April. 1948 It is worthwhile pretending to be asleep as Rahman does in a lap like Veera's in Jagat Pictures" maiden social, "Veena". In the old days of the imperialist regime it was understandable. As watchdogs of the imperialists the censors were always on the alert to cut out any trace of nationalism and anti-imperialism. A verse of Yande Mciaram, a revolutionary song, a refer- ence to a national leader, a photo of Gandhiji or a profile of Nehru — such things were scrupulously cut out in the interests of the imperialist masters. But when an anti-Indian film (like Gungadin or Drums > came along, reeking with slanderous references to India, it was passed straight away without the least compunction. It was only the vociferous agitation carried on by the press and the public (in which '"filmindia" had always the honour to give the leadi . including direct action and picketing, that resulted later in the withdrawal of such anti-Indian films. One had hoped that at least after the advent of freedom, the film censors will show more concern for the honour and prestige of India and (along with India i all the Oriental people who are all so often the targets of attack and ridicule by the reactionary, imperialistic film producers of the West. Recently I saw a much-publicbed film. 'i"n- conquered". directed by Cecil B. De Millc. whose filmic spectacles generally have a reactionary slant, and starring Gary Cooper (notorious in America for his anti-progresHve views i and Paulette Goddard who ought to have imbibed a little progressive and humanitarian ideology during the years she spent with the great Chaplin. The film is typical Holly- 10 wood baloney, made for childish minds, and every, thing about it is unreal, crudely melodramatic cheap and vainglorious. Normally. I would not giv it a moment's second thought. But I was shocked t hear in this film, with a certificate issued by t Bombay Board of Censors, hundreds of slandcro references to ' Indians''. The " Indians" are rasea the "Indian?" arc barbarians, the "'Indians" are uj trustworthy, the "Indians" are treacherous! Wer the censors sleeping when they passed this film? Ban "Unconquered" True, the "Indians'" referred to in this film axj not the Indians of India (who are erroneously an| stupidly called "Hindus" in America) but the sa called ' Red Indians" — the original inhabitants o the Americas who were tricked, tortured, shot aq deprived of their homeland by the '"Uneonquer conquerors from the West! But we must not forget that in the context of i perialism I which this film shamelessly boosts), 4 such attack on the "Red Indians" is as much attack on us, the Indians! The imperialistic macta nations have forged an unbreakable link of brothel hood between all the exploited and oppressed victim of the Western imperialists — be they '"Red Indians! Negroes. Indians. Siamese. Arabs, or IndcutsiaM The free people of India, as leaders of the anti-hJ|, perialist Asiatic and coloured peoples, should nf tolerate any such libels on their brothers. "Unconquered", according to the publics blurbs, authenticallv recreates the America of 1 76-, 'One good turn deserves another" and now it )r;> ; Rahman supporting his fair burden Veera in J*i' Pictures' maiden social, "Veena". April, 1948 ti sullen look in the eyes and the pressed Hps indi- te Sapru up to something sinister in T. K. Screen Classics' maiden social, 'Batohi". Illy, its history is as false and perverted as its is unreal and unconvincing (to give an ex- , Paulette Goddard, after her '"death-defying j in a canoe over a roaring waterfall 106 feet is not only alive but even retains her slippers r feet — and. of course, her make-up on her . If it is history, it is the white man's history jocted for the deliberate purpose of representing ■oloured" man as barbarous and cruel, fit to ninated. hose who have read real American history — or HrVe read that masterpiece novel. "The Last cr". by Howard Fast — know that the real po- was that Hie "Red Indians'' were mercilessly ystcmatically exterminated by t ho European s. and that if they fought, they fought for their lable ritdit to defend their freedom and their and. "Unconquered" presents :> completely ted historical perspective. It is imperialist zanda of the crudest and vulgarest sort, s such, we demand that it should be imme- I banned throughout the territories of the In- Union. The arrogant Hollywood producers be made to feel that free India, shall not allow port of any such films which militate against jnsc of human brotherhood, or which slander coloured" race. 'HVKS. SARDAR PATEL ^ ■riir announcement made by our Home and In- •ation Minister in the Union Parliament the other FILM INDIA day that the Government of India proposed to in- troduce shortly a Bill for the amendment of the Cinematograph Act of 1918 with a view to restrict- ing to adults the exhibition of films not considered suitable for children and adolescents, has come not a day too soon. Indeed, the age limit may well be advanced to 21. The demand for the classification of Indian films for adults and children has been of long stand- ing and readers of "filmindia" will recall our re- peated warnings and agitation for saving the young ones from the pernicious influence of a majority of films, both Indian and foreign, which adversely affect their tender minds. Sardar Patel is reported to be in favour of mak- ing the British model the basis of the proposed clas- sification into Adult and Universal releases with the age-limit of 18 years as the dividing-line between adults and children. While welcoming the proposal, it is to be hoped that the Government will fully weigh all the pros anil cons of the subject before passing the bill and nn'.ke such necessary provisions for its successful operation without which it is likely to defeat its in- herent objective and aim. A mere amendment in the Cinematograph Act and 'farmans to provincial censors to make this classification in the way that suits them, according to their vainglorious traditions, will not only lead us nowhere but make the whole thing a huge joke and a farce. "What a strange world it is!" says Raja Nene in "Shadi se Pahele". Raja Nene Productions' forth- coming social. II FILMINDI A April, 1948 Nargis has all the dignity of a princess in R. K. Films' maiden screen play "Aag" produced and di- rected by Raj Kapoor. Knowing the way our censors are constituted, there is every reason to apprehend that they will play ducks and drakes with this classification and that the real purpose of preventing our teen-agers from seeing pro-criminaj and similar other objection- able and unsuitable films, will be as good as defeated. Unless our censors are, firstly, representative in character, and then fully equipped and empowered to deal drastically with frivolous, cheap, vulgar and demoralizing entertainment on the screen, and until we have an absolutely uniform policy in keeping with the educational potentialities of motion pictures, the proposed classification between different films for adults and children, might prove a mere technical change with comparatively little feasibility and practical significance. A really strict and sensible classification should, first of all, debar all youngsters under eighteen from prematurely mastering "the art of making love" as so idiotically obtains in more than fifty per cent of our boy-meets-girl stories on the screen! At the same time, we must have, at our disposal, enough recreative, documentary and instructional films with special juvenile appeal to fill up the gap created by the new classification and thus fulfil the long-stand- ing need for special films for children in a way as would automatically cease their unhealthy taste' for, and wrong approach to, the films. Classification Must be Enforced There is another aspect of the matter which should not_be lost sight of by the Home Ministry, while making rules for such a classification. It is not merely the issue of two different kinds of cer- tificates—"A" for adults only, and "U" (Universal) for all, that will solve the problem. After all, ulti- 12 mately, the success or otherwise of this measure will depend on the management of each theatre observing this classification. It is no use issuing an "A" certificate to a film and then the greedy theatre managers allowing juveniles to see it without let or hindrance. Knowing something about the money- grabbing impulse of most of our exhibitors, we have no confidence in their adherence to the law in this respect. And so, along with the provision for separate classification of films, we urge a clear legal provision of punitive penalties — beginning with fine and im- prisonment up to forfeiture of the cinema licences— for any breach of the law on the part of the cinema management. Only then the fear of God— nnd the Law — can be put into the hearts of these profiteer- ing exhibitors. THE SCREEN TAKES A HOLIDAY Twenty-four theatres in Madras recently took an astounding decision by declaring a weekly holiday for their staffs and their screens. So if nothing intervenes in the way of this un- paralleled topsy-turveydom on the part of their theatre-owners, film-goers in Madras will have the punishment of being deprived of film entertainment on every Monday just because these self-complacen exhibitors would rather give a weekly rest to th screen than expand their staff to cope up with sound shift system in due deference to the prove old maxim: "the show must go on". This stupid and suicidal decision, taken jointly by Madras exhibitors, passes one's comprehensio* Sudha Rao and Ramesh Aurora in one of those pett courtship period quarrels in "Kuchh Naya", Shan) Pictures' maiden social. April, 1948 FILM INDIA Who would not like to lift such a beautiful burden? It is Raja Xene with Ranjana in his hands in • Shadi se Pahele", a Raja Xene Productions' picture. md surpasses all the traditional follies so far com- nittcd by the showmen of India. One does not know if there is a conspiracy t«> lerve some ulterior designs behind the collaboration [>f so many exhibitors of one of our premier cities in esorting to such an insane policy in flagrant disre- ;ard and abuse of their responsibility towards the ublic who have already been suffering too much for ant of adequate efficiency in management and ther necessary amenities in and around the audito- utn. There is a popular government functioning in adras which should have lost no time in taking ese exhibitors to task and giving them a bitter sson for venturing so absurd a decision without ar or shame. There is also an organization called the Madras ilm Chamber in existence which ought to have ex- rcised its influence to prevent twenty-four thought- (ss theatre-owners from proclaiming a mockery of lidaying without the least excuse behind it. We are sure, with all their nonchalance and ■ttifogging. the film-goers and film-enthusiasts of adras will not tolerate this fiat of their exhibitors id will bring them to their senses before long. MATTER OF CONSCIENCE A standing indictment against the Indian film dustry, which it has consistently failed to answer, that it is ungrateful to the extent of being uncon- ienable and inhuman. The more one thinks of it, the greater is the conviction that to expect gratitude from our film folks, is tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack or expecting to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! When Dada Phalke, the father of the Indian film industry, died, there was some usual and for- mal hue and cry about raising a Phalke Memorial to commemorate his pioneering services. It fizzled out in thin air as the movie moguls were too busy making money to think of a poor man who was dead and gone. Another death that shook the starry skies for a little while was that of K. L. Saigal whose songs thrilled millions and healed hundreds of aching hearts and ailing souls. Also incidentally quite a few pro- ducers amassed millions by exploiting his musical genius. A sound in the wilderness echoed: Saigal Memorial, and it went the way of poor old Phalke. Recently, not even the artistes remembered to observe his death anniversary. So many to mourn and yet so few to honour and be worthy of the dead ones who did and died so that our filmdom may prosper and some of its bank balances may swell. Ingratitude in Excelsis In December last, died another grand old man connected with the films for nearly two deca- des who never paused to rest and worked himself to death with the interest of the Indian film industry ever at his heart. That was D. C. Shah, our senior-most film critic and publicist, whose pen had a glamour all its own and whose name had a magic spell for several of our big guns of today who dare not conceal their debt of gratitude for what "D.C." had done for them. The late Winayak in his last role as an aged, bearded, wrinkled philosopher in Bhoomraddi Productions' "Mandir" directed by himself. 13 PILMINDI A April, 194 For more than twenty years, "D.C." struggled ceaselessly night and day turning his searchlight from one leading luminary to another, from Uday Shankar to Sadhona Bose, fom Shantaram to Sohrab Modi, from Chandulal to Chimanlal, and offering his services for any good cause of the industry and its representatives who looked to "D.C." everytime they wanted laurels and publicity. It is four months now that "D.C." passed away and nobody seems to bother about what the film industry has done or is going to do for him to repay its debt, morally and materially. If Phalke and Saigal could be forgotten so easily and so ruthlessly, who was "D.C." after all to be an exception to the rule? Our film folks are known for their proverbially short memory but the way they forget their dead ones has a touch of callousness and insincerity which defies description. History has repeated itself again in the case of D.C. Shah 'but the process reveals greater irony and a more eloquent reflection on the general mentality obtaining in the filmdom than was evinced ever before. On the very day "D.C." died, some of his con- freres and "brothers" in profession who had thrived on the favours done by the old man, were busy (vulture-like) approaching the parties and papers with whom he was connected in order to bag his assets and capture his field. No wonder most of them were unable even to offer their last respects to their dead comrade not to think of arranging a condolence meeting or some such thing. When such was the conduct of his fellow-scribes, maybe there is no justification in expecting any bet- ter from others in the film industry at large. All of them were too "shocked" by the tragedy to think of doing anything about it. And thus died a film critic dedicating his life in his own indefatigable manner for the betterment of our films, leaving behind a legacy so rich and yet so ill-honoured and a "fortune" that is yielding more dividends to others than to his own kith and kin who have lost their only bread-earner. "D.C", they say, was a one-man-institution whose intellectual resourcefulness, inherent goodness and sincerity of purpose were not a little responsible for building up the prestige and prosperity of many a big gun in our filmdom today, individuals as well as institutions. And yet not one of these individuals or insti- tutions has waken up or come forward to the rescue of his family which is virtually left unprovided for. In many cases even his outstanding bills have not been paid. Not one of them lias come forward to raise a fitting memorial to commemorate his services to the industry that are so widely and indisputably acknowledged from all sides and sections. What a sad commentary the story of "D.C."'s death makes on the woeful sense of gratitude of our movie moguls! And what a crushing testimony it 14 MAYA ART PICTURES PRESENTS :s == ESS IB = ss es s= a:: ss s s = _1- = = = = = = = = :: msnn Hum Co- Starring: DEVANAND * PAL * G. DAS * JERM AN| Directed By: PHANI MAZUMDAR Produced By • GHANSHAMDAS ★ ★ * Distributors for Bombay, CP. & C.I. SURYA FILM DISTRIBUTORS 76, MEDOWS STREET, BOMBAY I. Delhi, U.P. & E. Punjab : GUPTA PICTURES CHANDNI CHOWK, DELHI. * ★ ★ For Other Territories A;>f>/v :• MAYA ART PICTURES 5, SHALIMAR, MARINE DRIVE, BOMBAY. * vely Begum Para seeks solace from flowers and epers in Liberty Art Pictures' forthcoming social "Zanjeer". >vides to that standing indictment against the in- stry that in the matter 0f conscience it always ;s behind with utter callousness, disregard and k of moral values! iNDER ON STARS Despite several warnings and scathing criticism the past, the obnoxious practice of calling any ra girl working in our studios as 'actress* and ling any mediocre actress a "film star", when she •pens to figure in the crime reports appearing in newspapers, appears to persist much to the de- nt of the Indian film industry. Such objectionable references and highly-coloured nons have, in fact, gone a long wav in spreading unfortunate impression given to the lay public my, that film stars and scandals arc synonymous always go hand in hand, as it were." A fresh instance in point was recently furnished •eports about a certain youth called Azizul Haque stood charged with supplying certain low-grade esses and studio extras —and, probably ordinary I S,rls masquerading as "stars"— for immoral •oses and was alleged to be earning a living out he same. One Asha alias Khurshid Akhtar. who was in- ed in this case, was indiscriminately described ie newspapers as a film actress and bv some even Star . presumably with a view to lending sen- nahsm to the reports. It jg time some of our crime reporters who are Film india wittingly or unwittingly responsible for perpetuating this utterly misleading and unfair practice, were made to realize their folly and cease this notorious habit of painting extra girls (or even demi-monda- ines who merely profess to be actresses) as film stars which only adds to the bad name from which the film industry is already suffering heavily. It is also desirable that the learned Magistrates disallowed such misleading references in their courts and saw to it that the persons involved are referred to according to their true status especially when they happen to be closely or remotelv connected with the film industry. After all if one swallow does not make a sum- mer, surely the extra girls (some of whom often hail irom the Red-light districts) involved in scandals rto not and cannot constitute stardom or justify anv uncomplimentary implication on the tribe of film stars as such. PLAYING WITH FIRE "Four persons were injured, one seriously, when a fire broke out at Tardeo last night partlv destroy- ing the ground floor of a building. "The fire originated from a loft in the ground floor of the building where film had been forfd re- portedly without authority. 1 rt "The film was stored on the loft where some people were residing, and they were taken unawares Her lining voice is not her only forte, as Amir Kar nataki proves by her physical charm in Mohan Pic- tures' forthcoming musical "jadui Bansari" directed by Nanubhaj Vakil, 15 NAV BHARAT PICTURES— PRESEN' DIDI A Social Musical Extravaganza Starring : — RANJANA, SHOBHARAN CHARUBALA, PANDEY, ANAN[ ARJUN & GHANSHYAf Story, Music & Direction :— MUKUND M. MASUREKAR Dialogue & Screenplay : — Pandit Girish Songs ■ — Indiwar & Deepak Producer : — Dr. V. N. Sin ha Produced at Central Studios. For Territorial 'Rights Enquire . — NAV BHARAT PICTURES CENTRAL STUDIOS, 'TARDEO ROAD, B O M B A Y 7. April, 1948 FILM INDIA when they suddenly found themselves inside a con- flagration." The news published in local newspapers dated 5th March 1948, may have been read by many and passed over without a moment's reflection. In a big icity like Bombay no one takes account of a small fire like this. But the press report was (as often it happens) incomplete. Actually, we learn, TWO PERSONS WERE KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. Fires in premises where film is stored have (caused heavy losses and destroyed several human fives in Bombay as in other places. The biggest film |5re recorded so far was the one which, on the 29th pf August 1945, victimised as many as 19 human [ives — most of them young, promising, and full of imbition— in the Hague building, Ballard Estate, 3ombay. "filmindia" pointed out, in an editorial sub- equent to that disastrous fire, the need for proper precautions and greater vigilance on the part of the ■vlunicipal authorities in regard to premises where L highly inflammable substance like celluloid is ,tored. Since then the Bombay Municipality has ramed certain regulations for the "storage and candling of cinematograph films in the city of Bonir ■ay." In part 1 of the regulations, section 1 dealing Irith construction and arrangement of buildings it is dearly specified that "films shall be stored or hand- ed except in buildings of fire-proof construction." As the Police is still investigating the fire t the building at Tardeo, it has not yet come to |ght whether the building was of fire-proof con- jinmala being comforted by the veteran Sunalini fcvi in "Azadi ki Rah Par", Hindustan Kalamandir's forthcoming production. struction. But as the news published in newspapers clearly points out, film was stored in the buildim- "without authority.'' ° Evidently, therefore, the building was not of fire-proof construction. Moreover, it is also report- ed that film was stored in the loft of the buildin" where some people were redding. This is sufficient to conclude that film was stor- ed in the premises in contravention of Municipal regulations and in open defiance thereof. Here are some other relevant facts that we have been able to gather. Govindram Sevatrai Bechani, who is the pro- prietor of Jawahar Dyeing and Printing Works is alleged to have hoarded ten reels of waste film 'for the purpose (presumably) of extracting chemical dye out of it. The building is situated in the Surya Mills compound Tardeo. There was also a barrel of some Oas stored in the same place. We have frequently drawn the attention of the Municipal [authorities to their criminal negligence in allowing film to be stored in this manner and in heir failure to detect such storing in defiance of law. The present case is one more instance which should teach them a good lesson if they are still ca- pable of learning any. Bombay's so-called clever police has been recent- ly credited with several raids unearthing stocks of arms and ammunitions and lethal weapons in the city. Alter the assassination of Gandhiji the Police has carried out a series of such raids. It is surpris- ing therefore, that the Police could have been alto- gether ignorant of film being stored without proper authority in a thickly populated area like Tardeo m a building inhabited by several families. Duty of Police We want the Police to investigate the matter horoughly and not hush it up as a mere accident to find out the owner of the building and the owner' of he film that was stored there, without proper authority, and bring them to book for their irrespon- sible tampering with precious human lives B„,1 T)-Cy- £lrld, bG trCat,cd as severe'y as goondas end criminals who secretly store arms and ammu- nitions, for a highly inflammable substance like ce'- luloid is no less dangerous to human lives than gun powder and grenades. They should not be cheaplv dismissed with mere warnings or small fines but nde lt-TCd Wth t]ie high,?St sentcnc* admissible Imman fives ^ endangering At the same time we also want the Municipal authorities to make vigorous searches throughout the city and find out if film is stored anywhe™ §1° with out proper authority and the requisite precaution, end safety measures. If they can enforce U»5mSE Inbi ing rn innocent and harmless indulgence such as SSfV1 T?ma thcatreS' in tllc ™me of puSHc safety they at least owe it to the city that tl ev pro- tect its residents from a grave danger tottefr W 17 Particulars: C.P.C.I. BHARATI FILM DISTRIBUTORS, 100, M. T. N60U Y^KAHWAt KAPUR *INDUMATI PPEMNAWfiA/KAPUR Apply for Remaining Territorial Rights,- R. K. FILMS, 512. College Street, Matunga, BOMBAY. Phone: 6 0215 ttlmifcWr* UMVHSAL FAVOag/re-SCORWG SUCCESS AFTER SUCCESS DO hU A I MUNSH1 DIL S.VARMAN ^i-J KAMINI KAUSH AL * ULLH AS U RAJEN HAKSAR & PARO NOW RUNNING AT NOVELTY M HWS/Te MEIODRAMA OF SUBUJVATFD LICEt; GYAN MUKERJ1 D.N c^-CRAMCHANDRA SHOBH A » KANU ROV & VEER A COMING SHORTLY AT iIesrhu shaueeI CHAWOfiAMOHAN-VHOE'I (In this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thovsands of letters are received every month— some anxious and several frivolous — it is neiiher possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treated in an informative and humorous strain and no offence is meant to anyone.) )SHANAND SAHU (Jamshedpur) What is your opinion about Surendra's acting? A sincere artiste with clumsy mannerisms and complexes. He sings well, sometimes. Why don't you stand as a candidate for the gislative Assembly? And add one more dumb waiter to the dumb crowd of white caps. Some of my Muslim friends are afraid of going Pakistan. What is your advice to them? They are right in the fears. There is more danger for a good Muslim in Pakistan than in India. Is anyone driving your Muslim friends out of India? AMANULLAH (Madras) If you are caught between two girls in a thea- what is the best way to get rid of your nervous- s? / don't feel nervous in such homely sur- roundings. I am built differently. If Aladdin's wonderful lamp be placed into ir hands what would be your first wish? Cure the ulcer inside me irhich is poisoning my humour. [RAJl'L ISLAM BORAH (Dibrugarh) The wig worn by actor Kumar in "Doosri Sha- can be clearly seen. Is anything wrong with ector Ram Daryani's eyes? Nothing wrong. Kumar was playing the role of a person married ten years or so. Isn't that sufficient time for a married man to be- come bald, more so when he was worrying about a little Kumar? TER M. SEQUEIRA (Bombay) Please define truth and honesty as practised by popular ministers on the one hand and the poor kers on the other? For the ministers: glamour, glory, poxcer. applause, motor cars and prejudices. For the poor workers: unemployment, tear gas. latlv charge, bullets and hunger. I. MOHAN RAO (Madras) Can you forecast what the Muslim Leaguers ndia will actually do if war breaks out between a and Pakistan? They will act as fifth columnists. Those who expect Muslim Leaguers to fight against an Islamic state are living in a fool's paradise. Can you suggest any ways and means for an ugly woman to win the heart of a handsome man? Handsome men have no hearts, but they often marry ugly women ivho flatter their own vanity by expecting the vomen to dote upon them. G. S. PADBIDRI (Bombay) Don't you think that some of the Hollywood pictures are no better than the 'headaches' produced in India? Why some, many. JAGDISH JAIN (Meerut) What is the future destination of the Congress in India? Away from the people and therefore away from power. Anwari and Dilawar in a tense moment in Shaheen Art Productions' "Midnight in Bom- bay", released through C. S. Keshavlal. 21 JK. A. CALL'S ANOTHER OKiAl Hir, DESHDROHI K B. LALL CPazticuCan. :- AKASH CHITI Meher Villa, 335 B.^Grant Roa April, 1948 FILM INDIA ABDUL RASHEED (Bangalore) Are you an atheist? Answer 'yes' or 'no'. No. I believe in Allah. Diagnose and prescribe treatment for heart- ache? Marriage cures the ache. Children break the heart. S. P. NARANG (Delhi) What is the difference between a pet animal and a house wife? The pet listens and is always loyal. The other one alicays talks end often kicks. A. DEVARATNAM (Bangalore) Is it a fact that all nice girls love a sailor'.' Yes, one icho seals on land. K. H. WADHWANEY (Colombo) We are not allowed to travel in ladies' com- partment or sit in a waiting room for ladies, but ladies usually travel in gents' compartments and sit in waiting rooms for gentlemen. Why? Because gentlemen don't fear ladies and don't object. India is free now, but are the people of India really free? Free from the British lion but still in the grip of the bunglers. MRS. MANGALAM RAJAGOPALAN (Bombay) Who would prove a good friend of our Indian lominion — Russia or America? 150 years of British friendship pushed our stomach into the ribs. If foreigners could be friends, patriotism irouldn't be a noble virtue. Do you think that the Ministry of Transport is ustified in raising the third clnss fares? The Government want money by hook and not by crook. A. KRISHNAN (Kumbakonam) Marriage is a private affair! How far is this true? It is always true. The day this truth is de- bauched there is a divorce. It seems that it is a habit with everyone to -peak high of himself. For example, you think you are a tough Banjara ?nd I think I am a clever Mad- rasi. At least we had no communal troubles here and I can be proud of my province. But what have you got to be proud of? I am in a province where no marriages of rich people can be solemnized without the pre- sence of the local ministers. They are as neces- sary as the priests. The Prime Minister of my province forgets himself and says, "In this world even good things have an end and so the time has come for their Excellencies to leave our shores:' This "good thing" was Sir John C olville. a British governor, who had locked up thousands of our fighters for freedom. We have also a Home Minister who wears Rajput tights and ends by looking like a Kathiawcri milk- man. Then we have a Finance Minister who looks smaller than a rupee and a Labour Mini- ster who is constantly in labour but fails to deliver. We have no communal trouble in our province either, because our Home Minister carries a big grandfather stick of which people are afraid. For sheer personal pride we have so many items here that they will require a book to accommodate them all. BANSI LAL GUPTA (Abu) What should a man do when his heart is rob- bed by a beautiful girl? He should let her keep it and start work- ing overtime to maintain her beauty. Tinstone SB,J&. CHAMPION TYRES 23 \ \ / J RAKAISH MUSIC: PT. KRISHANDAYAL B.S:., kisuoreIshadha starring^ BEGUMPARA * BALWANTSINGH * JAGDI5H SETHI * K.N.SINGH * LATIKA & GOPE Simultaneous releases at Krishna, Broadway, |.l Hind, Kasturb. (M.lad) Talkies In Bombay & Sholapur, Ahmcdabad & Poona. NOW RUNNING TO PACKED HOUSES Released through: r„ d ^ 1 > ^ LIBERTY ART DISTRIBUTORS 11-152, TINWALA BUILDING, TRIBHUVAN ROAD, BOMBA1 4. Vpril, 1948 FILMIND1A Jaimala p'.ays the modern, sophisticated, society girl in Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden picture "Mandir" VALA PRASAD (Pokharayan) How do you measure the beauty of your wife? By the smile on her face and harmony in our home. If Khurshid, Leela Chitnis and Shobhana Sa- irth form an alliance against you, how will you fend yourself? You have no atom bomb! / have one, much younger and more beau- tiful than ell of them put together. Why is Suraiya advertised as a 'chocolate inner'? Probably because she is a brown-skinned woman. SS CHANDRA SHARMA (Jodhpur) What would have been the condition of our a industry if you had taken another job? It wouldn't have been worse. Will you send your brain to me during my imination days? Bemember, I failed in the very first uni- versity examination I appeared ct and I didn't risk another. Md. HABIBULLA (Hyderabad Dn.) I How is it that you still have the same old af- :ions for your Muslim friends when millions have i faith in Muslims? The community of friends is much above Islam or Hinduism. During my present illness, an old Muslim friend is back again at his old post to help me. K. V. ANANTACHARY (Madras) If I define Pakistan as the monument of unres- trained folly, have you any objection? I have. It is a monument of monstrous ambition. C. N. CHILE (Balaghat, CP.) Do you agree that India can lead Asia and ul- timately the world? / don't understand why India wants to lead Asia or the world when our country is it- self sttanbling from day to day. This leading and leadership business smells of fascism. PUSHPA KUMARI (Meerut) Why do young chaps seeking a film career al- ways cry, "We belong to a respectable family." What has a respectable family to do with art? They are under the impression that the film industry is already full of respectable people and will permit only respectable people as re- cruits. Poor dreamers! R. K. MALIK (Ambala) One of my cousins was growing a beard since 1944. He shaved it off in a hurry during the recent trouble. Why? In India the Muslim beard has suddenly become a passport to heaven and strangely enough it is a beard-kill-beard business these Ramola with her childlike charm and endearing smile leads the cast in Maya Art Pictures' first screenplay, "Hum Bhi Lnsan Hain". 25 Man without Troubles is never Born ! SEE IN NOW READY FOR RELEASE: Apply for booking :- NAVAYUG CHITRAPAT LTD., Shankarseth Road, Poona 2, April, 194S days. In old days people died of heart failure and other ailments, now they die of beard growth. Why talk oj your cousin, our supply secretary D. S. Bakhle shaved off his odd hobby when they called him to Delhi some time back. He didn't fancy going to heaven the Qabrastan way. Poor Brahmins should not indulge in Mo- ghul luxuries. 1. R. VENUGOPAL (Bombay) Have you got anything to say about Madrasis nd their intelligence? Nothing special except thct they dissipate their intelligence outside their own province for a meagre living and move about Matunga streets without sandals and wrapped in table cloth. . T. RAMAN (Anantapur) If you don't take it as flattery, to be a journal- t for a man of your calibre is too small a position! Do you want me to become a power crazy politician and address a crowd of self-hypno- tised idiots? There is at least no bloodshed in journalism. \R GOPAL BHAIYA (Calcutta) When do you generally seek your wife's advice? Never. I get it every minute, nevertheless. Women are great ones for giving gratis advice. ?»s and Premnath are obviously perplexed about ething in "Aag", R. K. Productions' maiden social directed by Raj Kapoor. FILMINDI A Pandit Iqbal seems to have no appetite for the dish Meena Kumari holds in Ranjit's forth- coming social picture "Piya Ghar Aja". and while doing so they monopolize the wisdom of the world. H. S RUPANI (Mombasa) What is the exact difference between Hindi and Hindustani? Hindi is the language that irritates the Muslims, while Hindustani annoys the Hindus. Communalists went Hindi to be the symbol of their passion, while non-communalists leant Hindustani to be the nation's language. SURESH CHANDAR (New Delhi) Past looks so very sweet. Why? Because its edge can't hurt anyone. Very often, the more you ignore a woman, the more she cares for you. How is this possible? This is a dangerous experiment with the mo- dern woman. Don't try it because our social waters are full of sharks that live on neglected women. Generally speaking, who is more optimistic in life: man or woman? The woman. She trusts a selfish vagrant through a lifetime, to keep the home fires burn- ing. How can a nagging wife be handled best? It is the Almighty's problem not man's. Those willing to be hanged have tried rat poi- son with success. 27 Of* 1 J J ■ -t, ,w Tl UGHT MUSE imODlKTMS' fIRMUS ART PROMTfOtfS ^satwiinq : SMRITI * PRAN * BEGUM PARVEEN ZUBEIDA * BH AG S'NGH * SALIM RAZA * NAZ4R * DURGA MOTA * CProLcsdut PANCHOLI STUDIOS For Territorial ri;hts, apply to : RAJSHRI PICTURES LTD., Shanti Sadan, French Bridge, BOMBAY 7. VIJAYALAXMI * LATIKA * SI DEVI * PRATIMA DEVl*AFZAL* Direction: S U. SUNI CProJuceJ at: KARDAR STL For Territorial Rights app'y to : THE SCREEN Shanti Sadan, French Bridge, BOMBAY 7. CONTACT Upril, 1948 ■ h a veil that unveils greater charms, Sulochana ■itterjee has a con'emplative moment in "Apni laya", a Chitralaya Ltd. picture directed by Santoshi. Why do married women ridicule spinsters look- for husbands? Spinsters are late-fee packets that miss the regular clearing. It is the rush to catch the mcil that excites ridicule. Girls should marry at their most attractive age or drop the idea for good. « DAYAL GUPTA (Ja.pur) Biologists say, "Man is an animal". Do you agree with it? / would go a step further and call him a brute. Why do most of the brilliant seho'ars of the hesitate even in looking towards ladies? // thei/ err in thct direction, they will lose marls in (heir own field. In tiie Muslim Lergue press. Sardar Patcl is ribed as an "iron dictator". Is Sardar Patel an 1 dictator"? "Iron" because of his colour end "dictator" because of his naked tongue. Sardar Patel is a wrongly boosted product. He is quite kind and human in spite of his frightening looks. FILMINDIA ANASUYA DEVI (Bhavanagar) Which province in India has the best woman- hood? In the traditions of our womanhood ct least, India has no provinces and communalism. What do you think of sleeveless blouses rs part of a woman's dress? It is air conditioning for the arm pits. Recently, Dr. Jayakar appealed to the Parsis to form an opposition to the Congress government \\hat do you think of this? The Congress party very badly needs both opposition and criticism to purge itself of its power intoncction and to work up demo- cracy for the good of the masses. Xot only Par- sis, but Socialists. Muslims and all other par- tics should jointly constitute a strong opposi- tion to the Congress in the constitutional field. PRADEEP L. TANNA (Kandivli) world?'131 meSiage fl0W°rS haV° t0 give to the A short life of beauty and fragrance in silent service to the world. H AVIAN RAO THOMBRE (Wardha) If I ask you to marry a beautiful Xegro gir! will you agree? B 6 ' With the Congress cqainst me, the girl must look out for another suitor. Poor girl! Vijayalaxmi is making her screen debut in Firdaus Art Productions' maiden social "Shanti". 29 Dialogue and Songs: Bharati Devi, Pt. Ratan Piya For, Particulars : — T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS Shahpur House, Cawasji Patel Street, Fort, BOMBAY Music: S. K. PAL Camera: V. K. B. Maniam Songs Recorded by B. N. Sha U.P., Delhi, East Punjab and Western Pak Rig/its controlled by. — Sainiks Film Distributors, C/o Seth Kishorilal Munilal, Sardar Market, JODHPUR April, 1948 Sulochana Chatterjee has the look of a happy, well fed, well dressed housewife in India film Corporation's forthcoming: release "Nai Reet" )MESH CHANDRA WHIG (New Delhi) Do you think it advisable that Muslims be kept pi high and responsible government posts of trust hid confidence? What's wrong with the Muslims if they arc not Muslim Leaguers? Can you predict India's fate in near future and ar as years go by? Keep your eyes glued to the North-West Frontier. India's fate may enter from there. K. RANADE (Salara) Lawyers very often 'become leaders. Why? Most of them are toll talkers. These Indian lawyers hare cut India into bits to end an old quarrel and have now started a nexc quarrel ore,- the bits. . K. JWALA (Cawnpore) What makes widowers marry again0 Tantalizing memories. When is democracy generally stabbed? When the poor are used as an argument and not as beneficiaries. When the licensed Congressmen encourage black iarket, what should the poor public do? Not grant licences to the wrong ones at the next elections. FILM INDIA A. BABU RAO (Secunderabad) Do you feel any change in you from the mid- night of 14th August 1947? My bondage has been transferred from the British to the Congress. M. TIMOTHY (Dibrugarh) Can you give the biography in brief of Mrs. Sushila Rani Patel? Daughter of an advocate, married to the son of an advocate. NARI H. DASWANI (Bombay) What do you think of a girl who when kissed on one cheek turns the other in quiet submission? Yet to be born. A. N. NARAYANA RAO (Mysore) What is the limit in the pursuit of pleasure? Pleasure is the limit, pursuit is the struggle. Is there any necessity of illusion in our daily life? It often dulls the edge of misery and lends optimism even to a cynic. Is there a spiritual world? There is I guess. I have met a few from the other world and I am still confused about the phenomenon. C8iQ the fowl which lays eggs be considered philanthropic? No. The egg is her pride product ichich wc steal and console the fowl by petting her to lay more. Why are spiders not caught in their own webs0 Only politicians fall in their own traps. Can the moon exert some baneful influence on a man's mind? It is an age-old belief on which astrology is based. Seeing the sec waves responding to the. influence of the )>toon. it is not surprising to find the sensitive human mind being influenced by it. Do animals think? They do and with more consistency than human beings. Why do we dream? Is it probable that people dream much more nowadays than their ancestors did in olden times? Dreams are reflections of oiir ferrs and complexes. With life more complicated and dan- gerous these days, dreams arc more frequent than ever before. If there were to be conscription in India will you join the fighting forces? I shall fight on the writing front. 31 MEET THE DISTRIBUTORS OF KAJAL .' Slatting : SURAIYA, WAST!, GOPE, JAYANT, SHARDA and CUCKOO 1. JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS, Chandni Chowk, Delhi. for U. P. & DELHI. 2 — < • KAPURCHAND LTD Calcutta. for BENGAL. 3. KAPURCHAND & CO., Bombay. for C. P. C 1. 4. SHRI VIJAYANANDA PICTURES, Broadway, Madras. for SOUTH INDIA. 5. KANWAL FILM EXCHATNGE, Rialto Theatre Building, Amritsar. for EASTERN PUNJAB. 6. EVER NEW PICTURES, Abbot Road, Lahore. for WESTERN PAKISTAN 7. WASSIAMULL ASSOMULL & CO., Bombay. for Far EAST ITS A RATAN PICTURE ZbhuteJfy:- M. SADIQ WATCH FOR THE RELEASE DATE NOW ON THE SETS RATAN PICTURES' MUSICAL OFFERING CHAR DIN Direction: M. SADIQ Music: N A US HAD PATAM PICTURES, SUG S ound Studios, Dadar, Bombay. For TJ. P. & Delhi, JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS, Delhi. 5|fipril, 1948 The fickleness of the fair sex is proverbial. What it duo to? Tender skin and nude leather. An attempt had recently been made on the life the Nizam by throwing a country-made bomb on e err in which lie was going. What is your opinion )Out it? This killing for politics is a dirty game. Are women better than men or worse? As a race women are better than men. pn't forget that woman is the mother of man. Does a soft answer turn away wrath? Try that on a bandit and let vie know the result. What is your "mission" in life? / am a man without a ''mission"1 and there are millions like me in this country.. I don't overrate myself so much as to attach a ''mis- sion''' to my life. What do you think will happen now th"t the utrol of sugar and food grains has been removed? Mouths will become sour and stomachs will remain empty. S. SAMPATII (Hyderabad Dn ) Hasn't Begum Para lied to Pakistan yet? She had a bird's eye view but returned, post-haste. She doesn't seem to hare liked tlr look of Allah's Garden. FILMINDI A The Madras government has passed orders that drinking scenes should not be filmed. Is this not a foolish act? It is. but then we hare puritans as mini- sters who are trying to reform humanity instead of running a state. S. V. RAGHAVAN (Bombay) According to an Indian astrologer, the world should cud within 53 years. Do you believe this and arc you shocked to hear this news? There is a g reefer event much before that — end of Baburao Patel. I am interested in the earlier event. What will be the outcome with all this decon- trolling of food and cloth? Nudism will increase and fasting will be- come a national sport. lari is featured as a revolutionary in T. K. Screen Classics' maiden social, "Batohi". Rs. 500 - IN 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH. The following prizes are awarded every month for ques ions which are considered in- teresting or elicit interesting replies in the "Editor's Mail". 1st Prize: Rs. 100; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50; 4'h Pr.ze: Rs. 40; 5th Prize: Rs. 30 and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs. 10 each. A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. Questions should be neatly written or typed if possible. Unless the letters are sign- ed, they won't be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor's decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no correspondence will be entertained. The names of the prize-winners w,ll be announced in "filmindia" every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Order. PRIZE WINNERS FOR APRIL 1st Prize: Rs. 100 to A. N. Narayana Rao (Mysore); 2nd Prize: Rs. 80 to Suresh Chandar (New Delhi); 3rd Prize: Rs. 50 t0 R. K. Malik (Ambala); 4th Pr ze: Rs. 40 to P. K. Jwala (Cawnpore); 5th Prize: Rs. 30 to Mrs. Manga- lam Rajgopalan (Bombay) and 20 consolation prizes of Rs. 10 each to the following: Rosh- anand Sahu ( Jamshedpur > ; Shirajul Islam Borah (Dibrugarh); Peter M. Sequeira (Bom- bay); S. Amanullah (Madras); Abdul Rasheed (Bangalore); S. P. Narang (Delhi); K. H Wadhwaney (Colombo); A. Krishnan iKum- bakonam); Bansi Lai Gupta (Abu); K. R. Ve- nugopal (Bombay i ; Jwala Prasad (Pokhara- yan); D. Md. Habibulla (Hyderabad Dn.i; K. V. Anantachary (Madras); K. T: Raman (Anantapur); Ram Dayal Gupta (Jaipur); Pradeep L. Tanna (Kandivili); Waman Rao Thombre (Wardhai ;J. K. Ranade (Satara); A. Babu Rao (Secunderabad i and S. V. Ragha- van (Bombay). Money Orders are being sent i,o the prize winners. 33 Deluxe Equipment for All Size lheatres The Perfect Blending of Sight and Sound For South India. EVERGREEN ( BANGALORE ) LTD., 2. Seshadri Road. BANGALORE. Telephone Telegrams : 3608 ■' EVFRGREI'N " l-VERBREEN (BANG ALORE ) LTD., 18,146 Pipsiah Street. Gandhina°ar. IJ E Z W A D A. HTc'e. Add: " EVERGREEN EVERGREEN PICTURES Saklat House, 15. New Queen's Road). BOMBAY For Bengal, Bihar, Orissa & Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPN , 1 1 , Esplanade East. CALCUTTA. Tele : Telegram : Cal. 6178 " CINEFILMS M TELU For North India EVERGREEN PICTl Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Tel. Add: 1 DESAiCOY " For Indian States EVER6REEN PIC No. I, South Tukoga INDORE. Tele. " EVERGREEf SULOCHAN A CHATTERJEE— ''Art is 'naif concealed" and Sulochana Chatterjee reveals greater charms through a half-veiled face in Jagat Pictures' maiden social "Veena". Special Announcement I We have great pleasure in announcing that we have been appointed General Agents for the following Two great "RUSSIAN MASTER- PI EC ES" for the whole of India, Pakistan, Burma. Ceylon & Nepal. I. GlilRKfl:- 2. FIRST GliOUE:- 3. Souiet Hews Reels ( The Great Russian Composer ) with Sub-Titles in ENGLISH 14 REELS ! ONE Reel of WINTER SPORTS IN RUSSIA ' ' in Russian colour with commentary in English. ( A Comedy full of Laughs & Gags ) with Sub-Titles in ENGLISH 9 REELS! THREE Reels of "LIFE OF PLANTS", a beautiful topical in colours with English commentary. ^or SookitiLji & 'LpurtLcutazi jii^a±£, contact :- Grams: BOXOFFICE Phone: 45400 DIAMOND PICTURES LTD., SEKSARIA BUILDING. SANDHURST ROAD. BOMBAY 4. J. S.CASSHYAP -k~ BAB ASA H E B -•• <> , For fombay Presidency: SHAT I A KINE RENTERS, Lamii ton Read, Bombay 4. For Madras Presidency: VIJAY FILMS, 7, Frar els Joseph St.. G. T. Madras. "•rrltorlnl Rights Contact LOKMA.W A PKODUCTIOKS, SIR MANGALDAS WADI. For Overseas : OVERSEAS FILM CIRCLE, Vithalbliai Paiel Road, Bombay 4. LAMINGTON ROAD, EOMBAY 4 y Soft ^ °0 / £„ HERE, from one source you may purchase all of the essential equipment and accessories necessary to present motion pictures at their best — with maximum pleasure to your patrons and profit to yourself. FOR THEATRES OF EVERY SIZE There is a Simplex Sound System specifically designed to meet the needs of theatres of every seating capacity. The engineering simplicity and the many standby features embodied in the design of these systems guarantees uninterrupted performance of the highest quality. C I N E F 0~N JSS 3, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, BOMBAY 4. SOUTH AGENT: GRAMS: FONOCINE CINE SUPPLIES, Bangalore City. f,lmg^Ss0nD OUR PFVTFW " Gulbakavli A Celluloid Stinker ! The Most Disgusting Picture Ever Produced ! Of all the pictures that have been shown on the Indian screen during the last thirty and odd years. ''Gulbakavli" is about the most idiotic, the most boring and the most disgusting one we had the helpless misfortune to see. The only good thing about the picture is the loving memory of the late Mr. Rustom Modi, one of the gentlest and kindest of men. who produced and directed this picture with all his innocence of technique and story-telling. "Gulbakavli'" is a popular le- gend, books of which are sold on the street pavements. The mo- tion picture is no improvement on the pavement version. PARSI CROWD That anaemic little actor. Firoz < Dastur, plavs the brave, legen- dary hero, Taj-ul-Mulk. He is I supposed to go through a million I dangers to bring the rare GULBAKAVLI Producers: Central Studios. Language: Parsi Urdu Songs: A. K. Shefta Music: Firoz Dastur & Bundu Khar. Photography: Bahvant Dave Audiography: Kaushik ft Y. S. Kothare Cast: Firoz Dastur, Rabab. Sanobar, Jamshedji. Menka etc Released At: Super, Bombay Date of Release: 9th January 1948 Directed By RUSTOM MODI rose from the garden of Gulba- kavli to restore the eyesight of his father. Bakavli. the Helen of this yarn, is played by Rabab. a woman of less than average looks. And yet we are asked to accept her as a heavenlv beautv. The day dawns for Nayantara beholding the freshness of morning with sleepy eyes in "Hua Savera*'. Jivan Kala Chi- tra*s maiden production. Surai . a is obviously amused with Gope's novel classical music of his own school in "Kajal". Ratan Pictures" maiden screen offering. The anaemic Firoze Dastur has a few brothers who thunder about under the captaincy of old Udwa- dia. Then there is Jamshedji. another aged veteran, who shouts in the ancient stage fashion and hoc-: blind doing it. He plays the emperor. The usual miracles end stupi- dities punctuate the picture from the first foot to the last one and nowhere between these two ends is there a foot of sense or relief. "Gulbakavli" is the most com- pletely stupid picture and only those suffering from chronic inso- mnia can risk seeing it as it may either help them to commit sui- cide or score a few welcome winks. For normal persons, it U a maddening show. "Gulbakavli'* is a social crimo committed by one of God's own good men. The picture will de- moralize both the spectator and the exhibitor. 4? VIJAY MOHAN GUPTA NAfiESH SURESH PICTURES: 321 |f. J, J>A TEL HOAV » BOMBAY* OUR JIF^'FW "Doosri Shadi", Long And Boring Aff air Familiar Story Fails To Appeal ! Doosri Shrdi" is an unneces- sary picture. It has nothing new lin it either in the story idea or |in its presentation on the screen, [t has the same o d fami irr plot thich we hrve seen so often on he screen and is deve oped in (the same o'd boring manner with Ithe same old sentiment and the Isame old dialogue. That is how and where this rieture fails to appeal. Its director, Ram Daryani, has lot learnt much after his errly jicture. He still takes the same bid shots which he used to take ten years back. He has not yet feot even an inkling of the psy- chologic?! use of the motion pic- lure camera. It seems as if this little man refuses to progress with Ihe times. The directors work is so un- enterprising and unimaginative |hat an already old story almost )ks disgustingly antique. NOTHING NEW It is the old old yarn in which married man does not get a Ihild and marries second time, licidcntally a wrong woman. The story writers of India al- lays insist on painting the second Toman ?s the bad one and the jrst one as a paragon of virtue. ]nd then in this ease, the story Iriter defames fate by lending it p irony in mrking the first one ?get a child while the second he remains barren. When tlie firs: one sets a child. \e second one naturally becomes ilous and -he designs to kill the Ule one with the help of her rramour who is always outside e home waiting to blackmail. [But the child lives, always by le mirac?e or carelessness, and brou slit up by poor people, be- isc the chi'd is originally born a rich fami'y. and then the lal film coincidences brins the ild and the mother within a small dramatic compass to enable the £tory writer to begin his usual sob stuff and bring on a climax and a happy ending. The first wife triumphs while the second one is punished. With this fr.mi'iar and disgust- ing p ot pattern and Ram Dar- yani's orthodox direction one can't expect '"Doosri Shadi" to be an entertainer. It is not. On the other hand, it is definitely boring. GOPE S ANTICS The production values are com- mon. There is nothing of out- standing value in the picture from the beginning to the end. Even the muiic is cheap and common. Only a slight comic relief is pro- vided by the antics of Gope and Rfujit Kumari. From the players, Gope becomes popular when teaming with Ran- jit Kumari. They p ay the ro- mantic 'bhangis' of the story to provide the storv writer with some DOOSRI SHADI Producers: Krishin Movie- tone Language: Hindustani Screenplay: K. S. Daryani Mus.c: Pandit Gobindram Photography: Kumar Jaya- want Audicgraphy: P. Misra. Cas.: Mumiaz Shan.i, Ran- jii Kumari, Dav.d Gope, Maya Devi, Pramiila etc. Released At: Roxy, Bombay. Date of Release: 25th De- cember 1947. Directed By RAM DARYANI "untouchable" touches. Kumar speaks beautifully as usual in the role of Seth Hiiaai, the sucker. But his face throws up a few un- attractive spots which provide evidence of bad health. Pramida does we.l as a vamp, a role she has so often played. David does his bit as a caddish stage manager end Muintaz Shanti puds her weight all right as the traditional cow like wife. All said nnd done, "Doosri Shadi" remains a very boring stuff and not worth seeing because of its hopelessly familiar plot. Ramola inherits these ragged chi'dren with joy and cheer in "Hum Bhi Insan Hain ", Maya Art Pictures' maiden social screenplay. 45 ALLIED QRT PRODUCTIONS LT.D Starring: * SURAIYA ★ MOTILAL & GITA NIZAMI with many others Direction & Photography : R. D. MATHUR Music: ANIL BISWAS Songs. q S- NEPALI Story, Dialogues Scenario: KHAQ\N HUSAIN m.a. particulars: ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS LTD. FAMOUS CINE LABORATORIES & STUDIOS, MAHALAXMI, BOMBAY. PUR REVIEW "Ahinsa" Is A Well-meaning Flop! Amateurish Patriotism Marks Kashmir Films' Maiden Venture. AHINSA Producers: Kashmir Films Language: Hindustani Story: Navin Yagnik Songs: Gopal Singh and Chabikumar Music: C. Ramchandra Photography: Lallu Bhai Patel Audiography: Mulvant Mehta Cast: Dr. Gyani, Santosh Kumar, Anwaribai, Na- vin Yagnik, Dulari, Madan Puri etc. Released At: Novelty, Bom- bay Date of Release: 20th Feb- ruary, 1948 Directed By: RAJARAM That patriotic fervour, admi- •ation for Mahatma Gandhi's do- :trine of Ahinsa, and a desire to )resent a picture of contemporary lolitical interest are not enough — vithout political understanding, technical knowledge and expert icript-writing — to make a worth- while film is demonstrated by the ailure of "Ahinsa" to reach tlic evel which the title led us to ex- pect. No doubt the producers; were incere in their indentions. They tarted with the idea of making a lim with a double purpose — to lamatise the revolutionary events f 1942, and to emphasize the iandhian concept of non-violence. Their technical production and iterary resources, however, fell opclessly short of the task they ad undertaken. The stirring na-ss upsurge of the August strug- le is sought to be dismissed by a landful of boys forcibly closing own shops, and a couple of men rying to kill a tommy (who does ot look like an Englishman and 3 not dressed like a soldier!) with n axe, saved in the nick of time y the hero who believes in non- iolence. It is a good ironical wist to show that while the 'ould-be murderers escape, the bholder of non-violence finds limself confronting the Police nth an axe in his hand and i< al- post shot for it ! But one story ■vist does not make a story. "Ahinsa", starting as a feeble ocumentary of 1942. soon turns llito the old Robin Hood formula -looting the rich and serving the joor! The "terrorists" look more ke anarchic brigands and ccr- linly bear no resemblance to the volutionary leaders of '42. The production value, the pho- 'graphy and sound are all of a ?ry mediocre standard, the direc- on is amateurish in the extreme, i such circumstances, one can I '-rdly expect a high level of act- | g. Gyani, with his harsh Punjabi accent, has neither the mellow- ness nor the intellectuality of a Gandhian professor. Navin Yag- nik— one of our most sincere and politically progressive artistes — tries to put some spirit in the role of the terrorist. Santosh as the upholder of non-violence, is ap- propriately insipid. Less of non-violence and a "toughening" process may redeem this new- comer, for otherwise he has a gen- tle and pleasing personality. The only notable piece of realistic and powerful acting is contributed by Tewari as the brigand chief. Your reviewer says: An abor- tion (if good intentions. Good theme gone waste. All the same, patriotism may pay dividends. VITAMIN LABS OF INDIA LTD BOMBAY LUCKMOW KAHPUR I S0C//9C / SANTOSHf P7 *(/SA#MLU£HACAr MM Starring: SULOCHAM CHATTERJI BALWANTSINGH, RADHAKISHEN with DDLARI, Miss MONA, JAWAHAR KADL, RAMSINGH, NARMADA SHANKAR, BABA RAJA, MISS NEELAM, SAJJAN & TIWARI. Particulars CHITRALAVA LIMITED 23, Victoria Building, Pane* Baa, Street, Fort, Bombay Northern Circuit INDIAN UNION PICTURES PUR REV7FW "Andhon-Ki-Duniya'', A Picture For The Blind ! Picture Presents Unimaginable Idiotic Mess ! "Andhon-Ki-Duniya" is perhaps he greatest laughter-provoking jelodrama ever presented on the reen. It is, of course, intended > be a serious affair and we axe k-pected to see it seriously, but sooner you see its main actor, lanmohan Krishna, you begin ughing and don't, stop doing so 11 the end. If you are a good rtist you can hide the natural sgust in your laughter but few ally succeed in doing this. "Andhon-Ki-Duniya" is, inci- ?ntally, one more step towards ajkamal Kalamandir's gradual licide as producers. In this picture we see Manohar, young, stunted, pigeon-chested, nny looking man with rambling ■es, dancing with glee because s very oldish- looking wife gives rth to a daughter. The expres- sion of this man seems to scream at us the question: "How could he do it?" The way Manohar dance&^about all over the town with^Ebe eighth wonder in his eyes, he emphasizes our doubts about his probable relationship with the new-born. Manohar is so glad about the screaming result of his bouncing manhood that he decides to try his skilFpncc again and starts a clan- destine- affair with his kitchen maid that very night. The pro- ducers, of course, show the kitchen maid as a br,d, aggressive woman and Manohar r.s an innocent, puz- zled man but it takes two to com- mit a sexual crime and one won- ders how our extra moral censors permitted a highly demora'izing scene like this in a picture — a scene in which the master of a ANDHON-KI-DUNIYA Producers: Rajkamal Kala- mandir. Language: Hindustani Story: s. V. Vartak Songs: Dewan Sharar Music: Vasant Desai Photography: Anant Kadam Audiography: A. K. Parmar Cast: Leela Chitnis, Munna- war Sultana, Manmo- han Krishna, Mahi- pal etc. Released At: Lamington, Bombay. Date of Release: 10th Janu- ary 1948 Directed By KESHAVRAO DATE dance ballet led by Latika in Liberty Art Productions' forthcoming picture "Zanjeer". house has illicit relations with the kitchen maid with his wife in con- finement in the sa,me house, and on the very night of the birth of his first child. Or was this scene considered as a progressive contribution to our social morality by the "great pro- ducer of progressive pictures", V. Shantaram? The wife, Sushila,, soon finds out her husband's relationship with her maid and getting unbear- ably offended, she walks out of the house with her little infant through rain and storm to lend a dramatic touch to the scene. The husband follows them and nurses both the mother and the child through a very serious ill- ness and r,s a reward succeeds in bringing home his wife and child to live under the same roof. THE "DEEWAR" TOUCH But the wife seems to have seen Prithvi Theatres' "Deewar" and liked the idea of erecting a brick wr,'l to divide a home. So she gets a brick wall constructed right in the midst of her bedroom and separates the two beds to emphasize her future life of self- denial. There was probably no other room in the house where the husband could sleep. Confronted with the wall, Ma- nohar jumps through the window and goes to his kitchen maid whom he is now keeping as his mistress outside the house. 49 I FILM INDIA April, 194 Time marches on with the man and his wife on either side of the wall and the daughter Bimba grows up into a maiden, disciplin- ed by her mother and loved by her father. Bimba loves Kumar, the son of one "Sir Saheb" (what a name!) and the usual matrimonial tan- gles now crop up. Bimba soon learns of Kumar's past escapade and is in turn informed of her father's affair with the kitchej maid. After the usual misunderstanc ing and heart burning, in whic that funny-looking Manohar lool; funnier as a crazy sanyasi, tl drama ends suddenly and sweei ly with the appeaj-ance of Marie har at the window. SHARAR'S GHAZALS This picture has hardly any n ; lieving feature. It is rash enoug i to expect any entertaining mus i in a picture of Rajkamal, but if; this case music gets virtUall i raped when Manohaj- bursts oil » into a Nur Jehan wail of woe ovij ; the separating wall. The sound recording is errai ! and the photography is hi throughout. Keshavrao Dau direction is in short so much was of time, money and energy. Dewan Sharar has given a coil 'I pie of beautiful 'ghazals' but alai u they are tuned by a man wl: : doesn't seem to know the wi : ghazals should be tuned. It tab more than merely beautiful wori to put over a ghazal. The grea est ghazal needs music plus em. tion to be effective and we regr to observe that Dewan Shara:' 'L beautiful words just proved many pearls before — , well, we let us leave it at that. PICTURE FOR THE BLIND Leela Chitnis easily beat? t others in the role of Sushila wh Munnawar Sultana looks qui pleasant. That man Manmoh Krishna defies all description Manohar while M-ahipal loo] pretty effeminate as Kumar. Pi, fessor Hudlikar seemed to be a botanical expedition collecti ferns in the role of "Sir Saheb' The blind inmates of N. S. Home of Bombay were used so many scapegoats for putti over an idiotic yarn. There nothing about the blind and tb world in the picture for it to named "Andhon-Ki-Duniya." The picture is meant for bli filmgoers and stone-blind exhi tors. It is idiotic and boring i ! the extreme. | y,l No other watch compares with sterna for sheer beauty, for brilliant design, for last- ing dependability and value! Recently Favre-Leuba announced the arrival of the first consignment of eterna watches for 1948. Within a matter of days, most of these fine watches were sold, but many more are on the way, so please be patient, and one day, you too can be the proud possessor of a watch by ETERNA. Si FAVRE-LEUBA iVHE - LEUBA I BOMBAY & CALCUTTA 50 OUR REVIEW The Old Mehboob Is No More! 'Elan A Pale Reminder Of Former Directorial Glory. There was a time when every picture directed by Mehboob was regarded as a milestone in the progress of the Indian film indus- try— because of the originality of subject matter and background, as well as of the refreshingly novel and experimental treatment and technique. Here and there he might have erred in the story de- velopment, a few of the stories may also have been "borrowed" from foreign films, but the heights to which he aspired were indicat- ive of a keen intelligence and a mind that refused to tread the beaten track. 'AlhilaP, 'Watan'. 'The Only Way'. 'Woman', 'Roti' and 'Sister' all contributed to the growing reputation of Mehboob as one of India's best directors. Ge- nerally, he also evinced a healthy and progressive attitude in his pictures. So long as he worked for others. Mehboob dared to be "different" and original in selection of themes and their treatment, but ever since he launched his own production company, he also has joined the tribe of money-chasers and wor- shippers of the great god box- office. "Najma", as a Muslim so- cial, was quite good and excellent n technique and directorial flour- shes. But then the downward ?rade started — one boy-meets-girl story after another. Now he plays or safety and commercial success, ind the old ideas of technical ori- ginality and progressive social con- ent have gone with the wind. The success of films like "Khazanchi" ind "Kismet" seems to have in- luced Mehboob to abandon his ild style and run after similar ommereially successful films. "Elan", the latest Mehboob roduction, is better than most luslim socials. There is no un- ecessary boosting of Islam, and progressive attitude is taken Dwards the need of proper educa- Producers: Language: Screen Play. Dialogues and Songs: Photography ELAN Mehboob Pro- ductions Hindustani > Zia Sarhadi Faredoon A. Irani Audiography: Kaushik Music: Naushad Cast: Surendra, Munawar Sultana, Himalaya- wala, Leela Misra, etc. Released at: Super Talkies. Bombay Date of Release: 20th Feb- ruary, 1948 Directed by: MEHBOOB tion and upbringing of children. Here and there, also, there are a few directorial flourishes. But. fundamentally, it is a hackneyed story — good boy, bad boy, hero- ine forced into unwelcome mar- riage, "the ideal Indian wife" lick- ing the boots of a worthless hus- band, and a melodramatic court scene in which the climax is rea- ched, the guilty punished and vir- tue exonerated. Munawar Sultana looks pleasant and coy. She is definitely an up- and-coming artiste who should be watched. Surendra looks his old unsmiling self rnd does not at all look the smp.rt college boy he is supposed to be. In boy-meets-girl scenes his naturally serious count- enance does not match with the lightness of the situations. Hima- layawala acts naturally in the role of the "bad boy" — he has had plenty of practice, after all! Rehan proves a raw but quite pleasant, newcomer who may be groomed into something better. And Shah Nawaz, that old trooper, tries his hand at farcical comedy this time —entertaining but occasionally overdone. When all is said and done, not a bad picture and well worth a harmless evening's entertainment. But it leaves us remembering the Mehboob that was— the Mehboob that can still be. if he does not foresake Art for the sake of box- office. After an Operation accident or other cause of shock, you are liable to lose hair. Not shock alone, but chronic maladies and wasting diseases and child-birth claim their toll of hair no less. The length of hair is halved or quartered sometimes and where the loss is continuous, the scalp shows through. Why let the scalp be denuded of hair when you can stop hair falling now with Kesavardhini ? Loss of hair may be an evil, but it is not a necessary evil because with Kesavardhini you may save and rescue hair during illness; and minimise the loss even where the loss is inevitable. Save and grow beautiful hair with TODAY PRESERVES, GROWS AND BEAUTIFIES HAIR Kesavardhini ^s |2 Kesavardhini Shampoo ... As. 12 Postage and packing extra. From most dealers or direct from SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS, COIMBATORE. 51 RECENT months have been busy ones in our organisation due to materials which had been in very short supply coming forward, thus enabling the Company to catch up on uncompleted orders. CAREFUL planning on several installations scheduled for earlier dates resulted in those outstanding being completed promptly. We thank all our clients for the continued faith they have shown in RCA sound equipment. ANOTHER, and the latest triumph, is the complete Recording ar.d auxiliary equip- ment for the Ministry of Information Films now being installed. PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LIMITED. 9. MARINE LINES. BOMBAY. Office at:- CALCUTTA. MADRAS. SOME OF THE PRODUCERS ODD USING RCA 1. Central Studios Ltd. Coimbatore. 2. New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. 3. Bombay Pictures Corporation Calcutta. 4. Shree Bharat Laxmi Pictures. Calcutta. 5. Prabhat Film Co. Poona. 6. Tayabali Rajabali (Poona) Bombay. 7. Associated Productions Ltd. Calcutta. 8. Pragati Pictures Ltd. Madras. 9. Modern Theatres Ltd. Salem. 10. Newtone Studios. Mad ras. II. K.M. Mody ( Central Studios). Bombay. 12. Techart Syndicate. Bombay. 13. Jayant Desai Productions. Bombay. 14. Kardar Productions. Bombay. IS Gemini Studios. Madras. 16. Prakash Pictures. Andheri. 17. Surendra C. Desai ( Amar Pictures ). Bombay. 18. Minerva Movietone. Bombay. 19. Pancholi Art Pictures Ltd. Lahore. 20. Bombay Talkies Ltd. Bombay. 21 . Shree Ranjit Movietone. Bombay. 22. Filmistan Ltd. Bombay. 23. Rajkamal Kalamandir. Bombay. 24. Bharat Productions. Bombay. 25. R. B. Chandanmull Indrakumar Calcutta. 26. Jyoti Studios. Bombay. 27. Mohan Pictures. Andheri. 23. Chitrakala Movietone (Madura] Colombo. 29. A. V. M. Productions. Karaikudi. 30. Eastern Talkiss Ltd. Calcutta. 31. Kali Films Ltd. Calcutta. 32. S. J. O. Institute. Bangalore. 33. Pakshiraja Studios. Coimbatore. 34. National Sound Studios. Calcutta. 35. Govindram Bros. Ltd. Bombay. 36. Famous Picture Ltd. Bombay. 37. Famous Cine Laboratories & St-udios Ltd. Bom bay - 38. Sobhanachala Studios. M ad ras. 39. M. & T. Films Ltd. Bombay. 40. Chreo R t n ' i - MnviPfnnP .nrce r\tiii.i. i iu.iciuiic. B o m bay 41. Eastern Studios. Bo m bay. 42. Bombay Fi'm Laboratory. B o 1 1 ■ bay. 43. Ganesh Studios. M ad ras . 44. Ratan Studios. Salem. 45. Indrapuri Studios Ltd. (Calcutta. 46. R?dha Films Ltd. 47. Miss Leela Desai. Bombay. 48. Filmistan Ltd. Bombay. 49. Famous Cine Laboratories & Studios Ltd. Bombay. 50 Mehboob Productions. Bombay. 51 Bose Brothers ( Calcutta Movietone ) Calcutta. 52. Prabhakar Pictures. Kolhapur. 53. Jupiter Pictures. Coimbatore. 54. Star Combines. Madras. 55. Gemir.i Studios. Madras. 56. Bengal National Studios. Calcutta. 57. Southern Studios. Madras. 58 Rupashree Ltd. Calcutta. 59. Mavjyothi Studios. Mysore. 69 Shree Sound Studios. Bombay. and the MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING. OUR REVIEW Durga Khote Scores In I.P.T.A.'s Marathi Play. M. K. Shinde's "Andolan" Is First Rate Material For A Film. The People's Theatre plays, specially in Hindustani, while they are well-meaning and sincere, ge- nerally fail to reach a professional standard in acting, direction and production. "Andolan", a Marathi play which ran very well at the Opera House (in Prithvi Thea- tre's absence in the North), how- ever, is a notable exception. Set against the dramatic back- ground of the August "revolution" of 1942, the play creates a warm- ly human drama out of the inter- actions of a set of characters — a revolutionary fugitive, a D.6.P., his wife and daughter, and an Inspector who is to marry the D. S. P.'s daughter. Through a series of interesting and emo- tional incidents, the seeds of pa- triotism are sown even in the emotionally barren terrain of a Police Officer's household. Play- wright M. K. Shinde has made a brilliant debut with this play and :-hould be heard of more often on the Marathi stage. Apart from other qualities — it is terse, con- cise and emotionally well-knit — TAndolan" is first rate material for a really good film. No won- der the screen rights were "bag- ged" by Lok Kala Chitra, a new concern, after the very first show! The principal role — the D.S.P.'s wife — is played by Durga Khote, the veteran film star, who has vindicated her presidentship of the Bombay People's Theatre by stepping on the stage curiously enough, for the first time in her life! She brings to this role the same subtlety, sincerity and in- tensity of emotion which have marked some of her greatest screen roles — e.g. "Seeta", "Raj Rani Meera", "Charnon Ki Dasi", etc. Others who shine in the uniformly competent cast are Mrs. Durga Khote Author Shinde himself who plays the bumptious D S. P., Usha Karve, a new-comer with great promise. Shiledar, the hero of Raj Kamal's Marathi "Ram Joshi"1, and Appa Pendse, the hero of Famous Pictures' "Chool Ani Mool." Director Keshavlal Date, thus, had good human material from which to mould a drama of emo- tions played against the back- drop of a patriotic struggle. With his rich experience of stage and screen, he gives the necessary co- herence to the play and a profes- sionaj touch to the I.P.T.A, stage. Recruit H. Narain of 45, Lodi Road, New Delhi is 20, knows singing and has experience of stage acting. 53 "KHIDKI" THE TALK OF THE TRADE THE TALK OF THE TOWN THE TALKIE THAT THE COUNTRY IS WAITING FOR now Awaits its All India premiere Watch for the date Written, produced and directed SANTOSHI who spices sense with nonsense and nonsense with sense starring REH AN A with V. H. Desai * Leela Mishra * Mumtazali * Jawahar Kaul * Radhakishen * Tiwari * Ramsingh * Mona A" Shanta Kunwar if Neelum if Baba Raja if Raj Adib * W. A. Khan * Haroon * Shreenath * Abbas Rizvi if Kamalrani if Chandramukhi ^ Indira if Ghosh if Chanchal Kumari ir Pramode if Usha if Zohara Begum ie Deshraj if Tiwari (Jr.) ir Kalpana ★ and a HUNDRED others ! Music: Photography C. RAMCHANDRA CHANDU Particulars : Arvind & Anand 361, VITHALBHAI PATEL ROAD, BOMBAY 4. Territorial rights for C> P. & C. I.:- KALYAN PICTURES LTD., AMRAOTI. South:- L. S. IYER, 185, Gandhinagar, BANGALORE. Delhi, U. P. and E. Punjab:- CENTRAL TALKIES CIRCUIT, Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Bengal :• AMBIKA FILM EXCHANGE, 54, Bentinck Street, CALCUTTA. Pakistan & Overseas: DIAMOND PICTURES LTD., Sandhurst Road, BOMBAY. AT HOME AND ABROAD [ALP ANA" TO MATERIALISE? Nagpur, Feb. 22. \ccording to a representative of ; "Globe" who recently inter- wed Uday Shankar, the latter eposes to start a big cultural ltre in the country and has sub- tted a big scheme to the Goy- iiment of India for financial aid [this connection. The centre, according to Uday ankar, will accommodate as tny as 700 artists. ROBBED OF JEWELLERY Bombay, Feb. 27. Sheila Devi, a film actress re- iing in a guest house at Ballard late was robbed of her jewel- k worth about Rs. 20,000 yes- id ay. (ft is reported that she left her fJidence accompanied by one fhikh Yasin Walad Shaikh Ba- Bibhoy for her studio and on the Hy she recollected that she had U locked her room and despatch- [jher companion back to fetch [Liething and lock the room pro- lit is alleged that Shaikh Yasin king advantage of the opportu- jkr, rifled her jewel case with the Distance of another person and fl two took away her collection jjgold and diamond ornaments. Shaikh Yasin was subsequently Lested by the police and put un- B custodv. while his accomplice. Jjp is believed to be Sheila Devi's llrer is absconding. FILM SHOWS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT Moscow, Feb. 14. |L new type "daylight" cinema ■Expected" to play a big role in Bularising educational and art Ihs throughout the Soviet Union. Cpecial projector and a lamp si- Ikr to the school magic lantern Iduce a film so clear that in Iliant daylight it can be seen Ira all seats. TAGORE'S WRITINGS IN CELLULOID New Delhi, Feb. 28. It is understood that the Na- il ial Archives Department of I Government of India has re- Btly micro-filmed the manu- scripts of various writings of Poet Rabindra Xath Tagore, including the Gitanjali which won him the Nobel Prize and also his personal diary along with some domestic documents. It is further under- stood that a copy of the film which has been given to Mr. Ratindra Nath Tagore, the poet's son. may be shown on the screen to the public. FILM STAR FOR RECTORSHIP Glasgow, Feb. 28. Scots-born film star David Ni- ven who is now in London for the film "Bonnie Prince Charlie" was recently nominated as Independ- ent candidate for the Rectorship of Glasgow University (Scotland I. His supporters include many ex-Service students because he is a former commando. One of Niven's sponsors said, "He is a man who will be repre- sentative of the undergraduates. There are many ex-Servicemen at the University now and they be- lieve that Niven has the attitude to life and the necessary back- ground to represent them." ENTERTAINMENT TAX Bombay. March 2. The Motion Picture Society of India, The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association, The Indian Motion Picture Distributors' As- sociation and the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of India have submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister, Government of Bombay, regarding the propo- sal to increase the entertainment tax by 25 per cent of the present rates. It is pointed out in the memo- randum that the Indian film in- dustry is paying other taxes which all told amount to nearly 60 per cent of the gross earnings and it is the most heavily taxed industry in India. In the circumstances, the film industry and the people of the Province would legitimately ex- pect a substantial reduction in the present heavy entertainment tax, particularly in the lower classes of tickets costing Re. 1 and less. If that is not feasible due to the exigencies of Provincial Finances, the least what could be done is not to add to the top-heavy burdens already borne by the industry. FILM EXTRA IN EVE'S GARB Bombay, March 2. The Bombay Vigilance Police found a city film extra (who calls herself a film actress) in Eve's apparel but without even the old testamental fig leaf when they rsifled the Wayside Hotel at Juhu Munawar Sultana is quite a match for A. Shah in Great India Pictures' forthcoming social "Parai Aag." 55 FILMINDIA April, 19 on the 29th February where two disguised agents of the C.I.D. had taken the girl for a bout of paid love. The Police was informed that a young Muslim named Aziz-ul-llaq was supplying film actresses and studio extras for immoral purposes and was living upon their earn- ings. These ladies of easy virtue, it is stated, were catered for Rs. 100 each and upwards, the price being fixed in proportion to their age and looks. A trap was laid by the Police to collar the pimp red handed. Two bogus customers who were provided with marked money were sent to strike a deal with Aziz-ul- Haq. They were taken by the oblig- ing Aziz to Chothia Mahal at Wal- keshwar, where the film actress Khurshid Akhtar who has assum- ed the screen name of Asha was living. The two bogus "customers" thence proceeded to the hotel at Juhu accompanied by Asha alias Khurshid Akhtar for whom they had paid Rs. 200 to Aziz-ul-Haq. Later, when Police arrived at the place, it is reported that Asha was found in the company of one of the two customers in a state of nature. Earlier, when Asha and the two "customers" motored to Juhu the police had raided the residence of Aziz-ul-Haq and recovered the marked money in currency notes. Haq was subsequently arrested on the charge of living on the earnings of prostitution by a de- puty inspector of the Vigilance Police. FILM ARTISTE AT 102! New York, March 14. Senora Phillips Gomez, aged 102 has gone to Hollywood to take part in her first film. Her co-actors in the film are Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. UNPRECEDENTED HOLIDAY Madras, March 7. The theatres of Madras City, numbering twenty-four, have de- clared a weekly holiday for their staffs as well as for the cinegoers! All the theatres will rem* closed every Monday. It appears that these Madi exhibitors are either so prosperc as to be able to kick a day's ear ings per week or so stingy til they would rather lose a day's come than employ staff enough allow for a straddled weekly he day. HUNGARY BAN ON U. S. FILMS London, Feb. 8 All films featuring the Hoi wood stars Clark Gable, Barb: Stanwyck and Ginger Rogers, h been banned in Hungary for th part in the recent Washington quiry into Communist activit in the film city. The Hungarian announcem< accuses them of "helping per cute progressive elements in 1 film industry." Rumania took similar act: against the trio at the end of if" last year. CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE Bombay, March 5j Four persons were injured, (j SHRIMAN SETH KESHU RAMJI Proprietor of the Polo Victory Talkies, JAIPUR. Foundation stone was laid by Lieut- General His Highness Sa rama d i - R a j a h a - i - Hindustan Raj Rajendra Shri Maha- rajadhiraj Sir Sawai Man Singhji Sahib Bahadur of Jaipur, G.C.I.E., G.C.S.I., LL.D., on I4.h D e- c e m b e r 1945. Opening ce, renony of | this beautifu house wa< pe rf o rme i by HisExcel-j lency Rear j Admiral The] Earl Mount, batten o'J B u r m a ,| K.G., P.C., G.M.S.I.. G.M.i.ej G.C.V.O., K.C.B., A.D.C. THE MOST BEAU Tit UL AND COMFORTABLE HOUSE IN ISD1A. 56 , April, 1948 FILMINDIA ;eriously, when a fire broke out at Tanleo last night partly destroy- ng the ground floor of a building. The fire originated from a loft n the ground floor of the build- ing where film had been stored, eportedly without authority. Fire 'ngines were rushed to the place ind the fire brought under con- rol but not before damage esti- nated at Rs. 4000|- had been aused. The film was stored on the loft vhere some people were residing .nd they were taken unawares irhen they suddenly found them- elves inside a conflagration. END OF DISPUTE London, March 21. Britain and Hollywood today nded their seven months' dead- )ck over the imporl of American ilms, announced Mr. Harold Vilson, President of the Board of "rade. in the House of Commons oday when he reported that an greement had been reached with lie Motion Picture Association of .merica providing that the 75% ax imposed on American films 1st August be withdrawn as soon s the necessary order can be lade. Under the new agreement. 17 lillion dollars a year has been xed for the remittance during le first two years of earnings in Britain from the showing of Ame- rican films, said Mr. Wilson. PLASTIC INDUSTRY FILMED Bombay, March 18. Three technical films — "The Story of Formica". "Operation Tynemouth" and "The Story of Tenite" — depicting the manufac- ture of industrial and decorative plastics from raw material to various finished products and their application, were recently shown to Bombay engineers and industrialists by local represen- tatives of a Calcutta firm. The commentary was given by Mr. P. Gordon-Fischel of London. FILMISTAN AND SANTOSHI Bombay. March 1"). On an application by Messrs. Filmistan Ltd.. the Bombay High Court granted on the 2nd March an interim injunction restraining Mr. P. L. Santoshi, from working for any other concern until March 19, when Filmistan's case for the enforcement of the con- tract will come up for hearing. It is now understood, however, that the High Court have made the injunction absolute and or- ders have been served on Mr. Santoshi not to work in any ca- pacity with any other concern until the expiration of his term of contract with the Filmistan Ltd.. which holds good till June 1949. CRICKET THROUGH FILM London, Feb. 26. With the definite object of in- structing the generation in how to play cricket an instructional film called "How to Play Cricket" has been made and is available to schools, institutes and club. Stars of the film are W. J. Edrich, England and Middlesex, T. G. Evans, England and Kent Wicket-keeper, and Sims, England and Middlesex spin bowler. It is the only film of its kind produced in recent years and covers all aspects of the game batting, bowling, fielding, setting of the field and wicket-keeping. CHANDULAL FOR GENEVA Bombay, March 19. Mr. Chandulal Shah of the Ranjit Movietone who was ap- pointed by the Government of India as a delegate to the Inter- national Conference on Freedom of Information flew this morning, along with other delegates and Miss Gohar of the Ranjit Movie- lone (who accompanied her busi- ness partner as his official secre- tary) for Geneva where the con- Mr. Chandulal J. Shah, snapped at the aerodrome when he left for Geneva as a member of the Indian Delegation to the International Conference on Freedom of Infor- mation. 5? FILMINDI A Aprfl, 11 Satyarani and Tiwari recollecting their youthful days in "Apni Chhaya", Chitralaya Ltd's maiden production. ference begins its session on the 23rd instant, Mr. Chandulal Shah was given a hearty send-off by his employees. WHAT IS IN A NAME? Paris, March 22. M. Henri Verdoux, the Paris citizen, who had brought an action against the distributors of Char- lie Chaplin's wife murderer film "Monsieur Verdoux" pleaded by saying that he had six points in common with his namesake of the film. They were: his surname, his Christian name, his employ- ment in a bank, the fact that he was married, that he was father of a boy of five and that he was a specialist in financial questions. M. Verdoux claimed 5,000.000 francs from United Artists Dis- tributors and cinemas. He asserted that his reputation, peace and well-being had suffer- ed. He had been chased by jour- nalists, harried by photographers and had completely lost his for- mer calm. Customers at the bank where he worked called him "Bluebeard". The suit however, was dismissed by the court who decided that there was no real resemblance between Mr. Verdoux and his screen namesake. 58 PRINCESS AS PRODUCER London, March 19. Princess Yvonne Murat, 32- year-old brunette, who was once Vivien Leigh's stand-in, is invest- ing about Rs. 13,00,000 in pro- ducing British comedy films — 10 sixty-five minute second features a year. The princess whose ancestors fled to England in the French Re- volution is the managing director of a new company called Talent Films Ltd. On the board of directors of the company are two former rank key men, Major A. M. Sas- soon, Chairman of 'Two Cities Films' during the production of pictures like "In Which We Serve" and "Henry V" and Major Leslie Cardew, Mr. Rank's ex- location director. Princess Murat (professional namife: Yvonne Murray) learned film business as a small part act- ress and a scenery and costume designer. She is backing the new venture with a fortune built from a legacy and a series of invest- ments. BRITISH ACTOR HONOURED Hollywood, March 21. Mr. Ronald Colman, 57-year- old British actor, has gained Hol- lywood's highest honour — an ( car gold stateutte — for his role a crazed actor who turns mi derer in a "Double Life". His selection as top film ac of 1947 by the Academy of M <'x tion Pictures, Arts and Scien marks the climax to a career 25 years as a screen star. FILM TITLE HAS VALUE |cr[ New York, March 14 \p A survey of American filmgo has disclosed that between 23 a 26 per cent, of them pick up th evening entertainment solely fn the title of the picture. Never before have film tit received such elaborate attenti Titles are being changed up three times before the film finally shown. Film men s that if the title turns out to be "dud", so will the film itself. "The Bishop's Wife" which v\ shown at the Command Perfi mance in London, is, according screen authorities, a good enou film, but the title is not catcl Apparently Samuel Goldwyn's t tute staff were quick to notice tl because they suddenly switch their advertising campaign to teaser line, "Have you hea about Cary Grant and tl Bishop's Wife?" Twentieth Century Fox char ed the title of one film thr times. All the changes were ma after the film was produced a: the cost of publicity for the n< titles is said to have been abo Rs. 750,000]-. Very few films in India ha really catchy titles that alo may induce film-goers. On £ contrary some good films ha suffered at the box office on a count of their uninviting ai crude titles. Indian producers a not yet literate enough to choo even attractive titles for their pi tures. THEY DON'T LAG BEHIND Dacca, March 10. The Government of East Be gal have promulgated the Ea Bengal Amusement Tax (Ameo ment) Ordinance which came force from March 4, 1948 According to the provisions < the ordinance sub-section (3) < Section 3 of the Bengal Amus i* April, 1948 1P1LMINDI A lents Tax Act of 1922 which pro- ided for payment of Entertain- lent tax at concessional rates rill be repealed and a uniform ax at the rate of 25 per cent will e payable on all admission tick- ts to all sorts of entertainment. GIANT FOR SCREEN TEST Hollywood, March 14. Clancey Ross of Alameda, Ca- fornia, strained and bulged his lighty muscles today to win the itle of "Mr U. S. A." from 15 other bronzed supermen before a crowd of whistling, cheering wo- men. Ross wins a solid gold trophy worth Rs. 3300[- and a screen test with Cecil B. DeMille for his forthcoming epic "Sampson and Delilah". Ross' measurements were: neck 17", chest expanded 51", arm 19", waist 3H", thigh 25 1|2", calf 16 1|2", weight 195 lbs., height 5'- 10". GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY FILMS Madras, March 3. A Film Publicity Unit is pro- posed to be attached to the Infor- mation Department of the Ma- dras Government. The unit will be in charge of the production of suitable films for publicising the activities of the nation-building departments of the government, A recommendation to this effect was made to government by quarterly conference of the heads of nation-building departments of the Madras Government held here recently. Twenty officers belong- ing to the various nation-building departments were present. The conference discussed and approved the scheme for publicity through films for the activities of these departments. PEACE BE TO HIS SOUL Lahore, March 3. Death took place of Durga Mota, famous comedian of the Punjab, on Sunday, February 29, at Jullundur. Durga Mota Durga Mota featured as a co- median in several successful pic- tures produced by the Pancholi Art Pictures and with his tall figure, bulky stomach, heavy weight and blank face, soon be- came popular with film fans all over India. The last picture in which he played a role is Chitra Kala Mandir's "Roop Rekha". 59 STUDIO EQUIPMENTS Debrie Studio Equipments are always in advance in scientific precision and dependability in operation. They represent a :.ound investment at low cost with the highest quality in production Turnout VAT IPO- VERSATILE AUTOMATIC PRINTER SUPER PaRVO IMPROVED SILENT C A M E K \ TRUCA FOR TRICK PICTURES AND FANTASTIC EFFECTS FAZALBHOY LIMITE1 o/tf&&>CK ffictuae £&u*u£ £ny<>m&i6 It, MEW OUtECI ROAD. . BOMBAY S'ruu*c4tei at Calcutta madras new Delhi Lahore Karachi mm UQSTUISMOCRfT GIRLS LOVE fob up q cm f SUPER TEPfH FEDERQL PRODUCTIONS SURENDRQ WPIUNflUQDSULTQIfl IN neri nnunn HEKI MISTRM (COUHTSLY: CENTRAL bTUDIOS) SURQQP * P RAT IMA DEVI + LEILA KUMARI * SANOBAR, ★ RAMESH SINHA * BHUDO ADVANI ★ SANTOSH KUMAR * M U RAD KHAN & WASKER Screen Play: Music: Production-Controller: WAHED QURESHI. K. DUTT. A. K. SAWANT^ For Territorial Rights, Contact:— SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRODUCTIONS, fJSSwffi&j OQ5 OQ5 {This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. Si- Letters should be signed and marked " Hoes And Echoes"* Photographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor.) HE WANTS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION! Permit me to say a word 3ut Judas' article in "filmindia" February '48 under the caption, bul Kalam's Religiosity". 'Judas is of opinion that if re- bus instruction is given in lools it "will shatter our dreams building a secular state and we dl have started once again the vicious game of religious fa- scism in which thousands have ;n killed in the name of reli- nk 'This is absurd. In fact a good sventive to such fanaticism lies a true religious instruction. A e Hindu will do no harm to a islim, and vice versa. For pcli religion favours forced con- Tsion, abduction, rape, loot, ron, and murder? Communal Bturbances are really due to, not [•igiosity, but a lack of religious pndedness. Therefore religious ■truction must be given in lools so that we become not latics but true Muslims and Be Hindus and live in peace and krmony. HSecondly, I do not see how the Inarting of religious instruction ■ schools is incompatible with aiding a secular state unless Mular state means a state of HNGALORE. Abdul Rasheed. FOR C'LLEGES OR SCHOOLS SCANDAL? ill had the misfortune to be at Brccii Talkie-' -bowing ".lugnu", IShaukat Production. And T le say that all the goodness (if a) of the picture is marred by single stroke, namely, the gar dance of the college girl, ether with the song 'Loot ja- )i phir nahj auni.' In fact, such dances are never 1 in a college and in presence such a gentry. It spoils the ie of a college and frightens parents to send their children colleges for higher training. Dai/a Shankar Lei Sinlw. NARES. INDIA DISGRACED ABROAD "On the night of 27th January 1948, I had the misfortune of see- ing the "India Variety Show" of classical dances, music etc. etc. As it was a much advertised per- formance, people had flocked in from all corners of the island. Some Europeans, too, were to be seen. "Barring only three to four items, the whole show was a big flop. The dances were nothing but movements of hips, swayed to and fro purposely when the au- dience jeered. I fail to under- stand why and who gave them permits to come to this country? Such vulgar shows must be stop- ped at once and performers sent back to their home country. "Nothing but shame and dis- grace these people bring to the name of our country and country- men, our sacred arts and crafts. "Send them back". MOMBASA. D. 8. Bhatt. SHAME! "The late British Indian Go- vernment was compelling the Exhibitors and the public alike against their wishes to screen and see "War Shorts" but now when the people are clamouring to see and exhibitors all over the co- untry eager to screen the most momentous topical of Gandhiji's cremation, etc., it is indeed a matter of collosal negligence on the part of the present National Government in not supplying the same to the Exhibitors all over the country. "It is a matter of great shame that unscrupulous distributors are making capital out of the peoples' great eagerness to see and reverence for Gandhi ji by piecing together all sorts of shorts on Gandhiji and forcing exhibi- tors to pay huge rentals, where as this was the best opportunity for the producers and distributors to serve the public by supplving these shorts free to exhibitors. Oh, when will these film people show any sense of decencv?" N. V. Prahlad. SECUNDERABAD. CENSORS, PLEASE NOTE "I bring to your notice two S. Sarova, heroine of the famous Russian film "Glinka" looks very much an Indian beauty the way she parts her hair. 61 FILMINDI A more pictures for inclusion in your anti-corruption drive in the film producing business. "Durban", which is running with a crowded hall in this city of ever increasing picture houses is one of them. In spite of your severe criticism every month the censors seem to be deaf eared. This picture contains some filthy dances which are nothing less an example of intense sex-appeal, which clearly predicts that the film people will adopt nudism in the very near future. "The second one is "Shehnai'* of Filmistan. Though it has proved a box office hit, it has left no stone unturned to massacre the morality of the masses. I refer to songs 1. "Jawani ki rel chali jae" and 2. "Ana meri jan sun- day ke sunday" fully well sup- ported by vulgar gestures of the body. "Are not such pictures sure to bring moral degradation and mental corruption to our young tender minds? "When will the so-called cul- tured censors and producers have even the common sense to differen- tiate between good and bad?" LUCKNOW. K. P. Srivastava WILL YANKS STOP "BLOODY INDIA"? "Recently I came across a news item that the President of the Film Board of America is going to pay a visit to India and other far Eastern countries on a busi- ness tour. I request you, Mr. Patel, on behalf of the cine-going public, that on that occasion, of his ensuing visit, you please dis- cuss with him, if necessary with some national leaders, for not screening the "Bloody India" pic- ture in America and get an as- surance to that effect. If you do this it will not only save India's face in the outside world but also its age old glory and tradition. Hope you will do the needful at that time." NEGAPATAM. N. Ganapath. "SAFAR" NONSENSE "Just a few days back, I went to see the picture "Safar". Its director must be very proud of the strange story as well as of its some vulgar scenes. The act- ing of the heroine as well as of her first lover is quite uncon- vincing. Can it be possible for a respectable girl (as shown in the picture) to act and sing like the heroine sang the 2nd song? How rubbish was the song, acting and winking etc. Besides this, the April, 1948 Touche Road, Lahore is a B.Sc! student, 5 -7", and 20 years of age pair dances were also very excit- ing. What to say of the overact i ing of the first lover! Director i; responsible for all the actings, bu he must be feeling as if he ha: produced a progressive picture, do not know why the censor overlook all this nonsense. Wha is your opinion Mr. Patel?" Miss Xeena Bhasin AMRITSAR. EPITAPH "Your epitaph on Bapuji is i parable by itself and incidentally I can say, an Indian chapter ha been added to Bible. "How did you get the idea? "Please accept my sincere con gratulations on your production of Gandhi's supplement to "film india" February '48. T. Yinnt/a Kumar KURDUWADI. BRICKBAT FOR SHANTARAJ' "Permit me to pay my homag to once upon a time's best dircc tor Mr. V. Shantaram. "I happened to see "Jivan Ya tra" at Allahabad. As this wa a film directed by Mr. Y. Shan taram, I forced two of m; friends to come to the pictur house. But on seeing the pictur we were so much bored that no only I felt sorry for my mone; but for the time as well. Alon with this boredom, I also got tlu tpril, 1948 FILM INDIA urses of my friends for dragging hem to such a picture." lGRA. Krishna Swami Mehra. BULGARIANS AND "KALPANA" "Recently I went to see 'Kal- ana'. The bitter experience that acquired in the picture hall roves that pictures of such aes- iietic value should not be display- d in the halls which are generally atronized by those who belong .) the lower strata of the society, lueh to the embarrassment of lose who had gone to see the pic- jre with their families, obscene jmarks echoed in the hall again nd again when "march of future omanhood", "Ras leela," "Kathak ance" etc., were being flashed on le screen. In fact the charm of Kalpana" was spoiled by some Jliots, and this happened all the tiree davs I went to see the pic- lire." lUCKNOW. Kumar Ghosh. GOOD PICTURE, BAD SOUND "The other day I went to see ['day Shanker's "Kalpana" at the ical New West End. The sound I'stem of this theatre is complete- i • hopeless. I was really shocked 'hen I saw that the sound system as so bad for so good a picture fis "Kalpana". The audience were [Imply howling and making their Liroats hoarse. As the sound itself id not reach our wide open ears, i ie public started shouting over mat. Those people (including my- •lf) who purchased Rs. 1-4-0 ckets had spent their hard earn- 1 money in vain at the New "est End, because we could hard- m hear a word being exchanged i the screen. All the fault lies it h the 'West End* and not with me picture in any way. The photo- aphv is hopcle-s at places due to ■ shaky camera. The music in it- llf is really excellent. Mr. Vishnu I as Shirali has done his job very ■11 as a music director. The di- lution is excellent, but it is too ||gh for the public to understand Hie scenery is very good. Had it men a technicolour picture, the Beatres would attract more owds than at present. The pub- It would take more interest and mid admire it more than at pre- nt. What pleases me mosi are e artistic dances by Uday Shan- kar and his talented wife Amla Uday Shankar . She gives a cou- ple of excellent dances in artistic poses. "In short this picture is excel- lent. It is necessary for everyone to see this picture in any of the five theatres, with the exception of New West End. "It will be a down-right shame on the part of the West End Theatre management if this pic- ture is a failure." BOMBAY. Anil K. Das. 1857— A SHAME! "I have seen or rather I was compelled to see '1857' produced and directed by Mohan Sinha. I doubt whether this gentleman has ever taken pains to turn the pages of the history of '1857' before undertaking its production. "In brief the history of '1857' tells us about those heroes who Mitchell UNSURPASSED IN (/UALITy £ EFFICIENCY BKC MITCHELL I I t I i t I > I \ 1 I BtCIGROUNO PROJECTOR 16 MM PROFESSIONAL Light, easy and noiseless in operation, the Mitchell (Nil) Camera ( featured below) is designed to meet the exac- ting requirements of Studio photography. It is a light, easily handled camera and contains the complete film- moving mechanism mounted upon dovetail tracks for shifting from focusing to photographing position, and \ice versa. of nets at*— CALCUTTA ■ LAHORE • MAORAS NEW DELHI ■ KARACHI 63 Awaiting Release ASSOCIATED PICTURES' PRESENT SABYASACHI The HINDI version of the BENGALI sensation PATHER DABI ^ Adapted from the story of SARAT CHANDRA CHATTERJEE if Representing the epic struggle for freedom by a nation in bondage * Dedicated to the people of INDEPENDENT INDIA Direction : AGRADOOT Music : : RABIN CHATTERJEE Cast KAMAL MITTRA SUNDER SINGH MIRA MISRA SABITRI DEBI SANDHYARANI BIPIN GUPTA PARESH BANERJEE KESTODHON and thousand others ASSOCIATED PICTURES Ltd. 6, Old Post Office Street, CALCUTTA April, 1948 FILM INDIA :ecruii Mirza Hussain c o BEST o., Electric House, Fort, Bombay; 1; 24, 5"-7%", weighs 177 lbs., anil as played minor roles in a couple of pictures. icrifieed their lives at the altar ' their motherland in an attempt > liberate her from the foreign )ke. This was the first wai Independence'. Does Mohan Sin- i make any attempt to picturize ie heroic deeds of those heroes id heroines0 Certainly not. What ! give- n- in the name of '1857' enough to hang our heads in ame. If ill-informed producer- id directors are given free hands produce pictures based on the storical subjects which have ade our history ever glorious, en, I am afraid that the day ill soon come when the fair name our country will be blackened the eye- of the world. "So before it i- done, it becomes e duty of the Government of e day to put an end to such iti-national activities and take astie action against such produ- rs. Will the Government do it? A'. N. Raizada. 5W DELHI. SEVEN ARTS, PLEASE NOTE ''I have to refer you back to the ay '47 issue of "filmindia", lerein an announcement of M s. ven Arts, Bombay 4, was pub- Bhed on page 46, to the effect lit they would award a fancv prize of Rs. 250 to the person who suggests the loveliest name for one of their new stars, whose pho- to was also published. We were given to understand that the name of the prize winner would be pub- lished in "filminda". In view of the fact that "filmindia" enjoys the clientale of largest read- ing public in India, thousands of suggestions must have been made in response to the announce- ment but it is surprising that al- though the star has now been duly christened, the name of the prize winner has not been announced hitherto. Was the announcement a deception? Was it made to popu- larize the company and the star and to dupe the public? Will you throw some light in the matter, Mr. Editor? Your reply regarding the conduct of the company will, I am sure, form an interesting reading." REWA. A. P. Shukla. NO RAM-REHMAN! "Mr. V. K. Fazlur Rehman was evidently offended when a couple of Hindus walked out during the show of "Elan", a Muslim picture. He asks, "whether the Hindus also have started believing in the two-nation theory? and adds, "I have respect for every religion and have loved pictures like Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar etc. Why not our Hindu brothers stick a bit of Mus- lim propaganda propagated by a Muslim for the betterment of his own community without meaning anv offence to others? ("filmindia"' Jan. 1948). "It is sheer hypocrisy on the part of any Muslim to say that he "loved" pictures like '•Tukaram" and "Dnyaneshwar'', because hero- worship and idolatory are posi- tively forbidden in Islam. No Hindu, in these days can be taken in by such a ruse. "] want Mr. Rahman to realize that the idea of doing propaganda for the sake of one community to the exclusion of the rest, is bound to be distasteful — if not actually offensive — to those who do not belong to that particular commu- nity. "When a propaganda bears the label of a particular religion, it necessarily becomes isolationist because it ignores all the other religions; and this constitutes the offence of omission, which does not shed its character on account of that fact. "The world has become too small to accommodate the followers of any isolationist ideology, and an immediate or eventual clash is bound to occur between them and their neighbours. The immediate history and the current events of India have abundantly demon- strated how disastrous this can be to the security of the indivi- dual. ' But it is a pity that persons like Mr. Rahman still persist in thinking in terms of such an iso- lationist ideology. Have we not already paid too heavily for it in the form of India divided into Hindustan and Pakistan? "We have had enough of reli- gion, and it will take many gene- rations before the mischief done by it can be undone. It is high time that we ceased thinking in terms of Hindu and Muslim any more. It is our respect for re- ligion which has resulted in such a dreadful and recurrent bloodshed. What is needed today is respect for the reality of the inividual— not the fiction of religion." BOMBAY. Atib Vsmani. With a determined look and dig- nified pose, Ramesh Aurora is rea- dy to tell somethig new in Shanti Pictures' maiden social "Kuchh Naya." 65 Music: GOVIND RAM. Photography: P. ISAAC. Wii/. : MIRZA I1USHARAFF, S. MAZHAR, ZAIBUNISSA, SIKANDAR and K. SABIR. Audiography :-SOLLEN GHOSE. Story & Dialogue :-AHSAN RIZVI. Songs recorded by :-B. N. SHARMA (Eastern Studios, Bombay.) Songs: MAJROOH SULTAN PURI & BEHZAD LUCKNOWI for Particulars W'rilc to:— HINDUSTAN ART J? R. ODUCTIONS GREY HOUSE, P 42-A, BENTINCK STREET, CALCUTTA. . & T. FILMS (Bombay) This firm is making steady pro- fess in both production and dis- ibution of various pictures. At resent they are controlling the oduction of "Amar Prem", alias, Etadha Krishna", being produced y the Xataraj Productions and aturing Madhubala and Raj apoor in the leading roles. Equipping their newly built udios is rapidly progressing and le most up to date machinery and her facilities are being provided, ubjects are being chosen for pic- ires to be produced by themsel- ss. • The company has an ambitious ian and the executives are stea- ily putting it into action. In a lort time now the concern will e controlling production, distri- ution and exhibition of several ictures on the most modern scien- fic lines. FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. (Bom- bay) Their latest release "Mirza Sahiban", starring Xurjehan and Trilok Kapoor, now running at the local Excelsior has proved popular. "Seedha Rasta", a Pra- bhat picture, also released through these well-known distributors is having a good run at the local Central cinema. Among the forthcoming pictures to be released through this well known distributing concern are Kalpana Pictures' "Dhanyavad" starring Hunsa, Lalita Pawar, Sajjao and A. Jagirdar directed by Jagirdar; Xargis Art Con- cern's "Romeo and Juliet" star- ring Xargis and Sapru and Famous Films' thriller •'Mohan" starring Hemavati and Devanand direct- ed by A. Bannerji. SHANTI PICTURES (Bombay) "Kuchh Xava" is the title of Bubbling with youth and sex-appeal, Suraiya in a charming pose in Ratan Pictures' first screan presentation "Kajal". their ambitious maiden produc- tion which is rapidly nearing com- pletion at the Mohan Studios, Andheri, under the direction of Xinu Muzumdar, who has also written the story of the picture. Produced by Kantilal R. Acharya. "Kuchh Xaya" is a pic- ture with a new message to the world and according to reports of those who have been watching the progress of the picture it is ex- pected to turn out a novel picture in many ways. Leading roles have been assign- ed to Sudha Rao, Ramesh Aurora, Ramesh Sinha and Purnima Chowdhari. R. K. FILMS (Bombay) Producer-director Raj Kapoor has completed his maiden produc- tion "Aag", starring Xargis, Kami- ni Kaushal and himself. The pic- ture is scheduled to be released at Bombay, Calcutta and several other key stations simultaneously. Messrs. Bharati Film Distribu- tors of Indore have been lucky enough to secure the distribution rights of "Aag", out of the many applicants who made tempting offers. Offers are pouring in for distribution rights for other terri- tories and shrewd Raj Kapoor, chip of the old block, is discrimi- nate^- considering them. FILMISTAN LTD (Bombay) Their latest social, "Do Bhai" is now on the screen of the No- velty, while "Leela". another so- cial, starring Shobha, Kami Roy and Veera is scheduled to be re- leased at the Roxy on the 17th instant. "Sajan". produced and directed by Kishore Sahu and si ai ring Ashok Kumar and Reha- na, and "Shaheed", a picture deal- ing with the "Quit India" move- ment of 1942, written and direct- ed by Ramesh Saigal" and starring Kamini Kaushal, Dilip Kumar, Chandramohan, V. H. Desai and 67 T E C A Can Supply From Stock At Competitive Rates * BLUESEAL & WENZEL com- plete Talkie equipments * Altec Lansing 'VOICE OF THEATRE' Sound systems and Amplifiers *k High Intensity and Low Intensity STRONG & MORELITE Arc- lamps *k High Intensity & Low Intensity Cinema Arc Rectifiers 'h High Intensity & Low Intensity Cinema Arc Resistances 500 and Machines 1000 watts Slide * * Rewinders and Spools ( 2000 to 6000 ft. capacity) Spool boxes and Pedestals 16 mm BELL & HOWELL Talkie Equipments Also OTHER CINEMA SPARES AND ACCESSORIES Write to : THE TECA ENGINEERS, Wallace Flour Mills Compound, Sleater Road, BOMBAY 7. BbllE SEMi Sound Equipment for Modern Theatres with ALTEC LANSING Speaker System Voice of the Theatre Strong Mughal H.L Are Lamps idL at Moderate terms — availa a[±o : E.D.C.C. Standard British Rotary Convertors, Generators, Motors, ava itaLie from Stock dontaat : Sole Agents HAVELI P.O. BOX No. 238A. 59. Forbes Street. Fort. Bombay. April, 1948 Recruit A. R. Govind Raj of 1 382. Vlint Street, Madras, is 5'-4M>", 21 vears old, and can sing. He has played in school dramatics and tnows, besides Hindi and Urdu, se- veral Dravidian languages. l,eela Chitnis arc the next one* ready for release and shooting is progressing at the studio of two pore pictures. Incidentally in recent days Filmistan are the only producers Tinning two first run pictures at two first run theatres in the city simultaneously and producing pic- lure after picture in such rapid [uccession. Mini) ART PRODUCTIONS LTD. (Bombay) This new company is produc- ing its maiden picture entitled fGajre" which will he directed by R. D. Mathur, The preliminaries kre completed and all the songs recorded. Actual shooting will tart in a few days. The story of the picture is writ- en by Khaqan Husein, M. A., vhile Anil Biswas is directing the hiusic and the cast is headed by huraiya, Motilal and Gita Xizami. •Hi; I I RANJIT MOVIETONE CO (Bombay) "Piya Ghar Aja", a social pic- ure starring Meena Kumari, Karan Diwan and Aga Jan will k the next change at the Central. (The picture is directed by Prah- 'ad Dutt. Another picture directed by Prahlad Dutt will shortly be go- ing to the editing room. Its cast is led by Xigar and Karan Diwan. Director Ramchandra Thakur is progressing fast with "Jai Hanuiran" starring S. X. Tripathi. Kailas, Babu Raje, Keshav and Xirupa Roy. The following six other pictures are now awaiting release, namely. "Bichhade Ba- lam", "Kaun Hamara", "Lakhon Mein Ek", "Phoolwari". "Duma FILMINDI A Ek Sarai" and "Pardeshi Mahe- man". RATAN PICTURES (Bombay) Their maiden production "Ka- jal" starring Suraiya, Wasti, Gope, Jayant, Sharda and Cuckoo and directed by M. Sadiq has been passed by the Censors. Exploi- tation rights of the picture have been sold out for all the territories and the picture will shortly be re- leased in all the principal towns of India. a n j 1 1 5 Social Hit P JA Starring MEENA KUMARI KARAN D I WA N AGHA JAN, USHA, TRIPATHI, ROOPA Vi zee tot : PRAHLAD DUTT Next Change at CENTRAL S9 FILMINDI A April, 1948 Director M. Sadiq has now- started work on his next produc- tion "Char Din", the music direc- tion of the picture being entrust- ed to Naushad. NAVBHARAT PICTURES (Bom- bay) Producer Dr. V. M. Sinha is presenting his first picture enti- tled "Didi", produced under the banner of this concern at the Cen- tral Studios, and now awaiting release. Ranjana and Ghanshyam play the leading roles supported by Shobharani, a newcomer who makes her screen debut with this picture, Charubala, Pande, Anand and Arjun. The story of the pic- ture is written by Mr. Mukund Masurekar who has also directed the picture. BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Mandir", their maiden social directed by the late Winayak is now on the screen of the local Swastik. Assistant director D. Patil was responsible for complet- ing the picture after the sudden death of Winayak who had, how- ever, completed a greater part before he died. The picture is produced by B. V. Bhoomraddi, and stars Shanta Apte and Shahu Modak in the leading roles sup- ported by Salvi, Lata, Baby Recruit R. L. Budhrani c o Manilla Silk Stores, 225, Main Street, Camp Poona, is 5'-9' , loves singing and acting, plays piano an violin and is fond of all musical instruments. Nanda, Janki Dass and the late Winayak. HINDUSTAN KALAMANDIR LTD. (Bombay) Their maiden production "Azadi Ki Rah Par" is now ready for re- lease. The story of the picture is a history of India's fight for freedom under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi during the years '921 to 1948 and the artistes •ilaying therein include some front Gope has his own way of amusing himself and others in "Kajal" Ra- tan Pictures' maiden production. rank stars like Prithviraj, Yan- mala and Jairaj supported by Jagdish Sethi, Sunalini Devi and others. Lalit Mehta directed the picture. The picture lias been produced by Messrs. Mugatlal Kamdar and Kulwant Rai who were fortunate to secure the active co-operation of the well-known Congress lead- er Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya in its production. Recruit Pronab Kumar Sen ol| 105 A, Lake Road, P. O Rash Bihari Avenue, Ballyganj, Calcutta, is Zi and 5'-6". He sings light music ir Bengali and Hindi. SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRODUC- TIONS (Bombay) "Meri Kahani" is the name oil the maiden picture now being pro-l duced at the Central Studios! Bombay under the banner of thitj concern and directed by Kek t Mistri who is also responsible foil the photography of the picturcJ Mr. Saraf is supervising the pro-l duction of "Meri Kahani" whicrl features Surendra. Munawar Suit tana, Pratima Devi, Sanobarl Laila Kumari, Bhudo Advanil Ramesh Sinha, Santosh Kumari Muradkhan and \Yasker. Wahecl Qureshi wrote the screenplay ancl N. Dutt (Korgaoker) is directing the music and production is conl trolled by A. K. Sawant. MAYA ART PICTURES (Bom bay) Messrs. B. G. Kher, L. M Patil and G. D. Vartak, three member! of the Bombay Ministry were prel sent at a preview of their latos instructional film "Hum Bhi In san Hain" held at the Famou Cine Studios recently. The story of the picture deal with the oppressed and down t mdden millions of India's suffer ing masses in the shuns of Indii and aims at the amelioration o their frightful condition. Ramola and Dev Anand Icai the cast supported by G. Da: Pal and Vinodini. Phani Mazum 70 Ipril. 1948 FILM INDIA ■ directed the picture and H. P. 's directed its music. IA FILMS (Bombay) Prakash Varma, the publicist, 5 been chosen to produce and ect this company's second pic- •e. called "Chameli" the story which has also been written himself. Varma has just com- ■ted composing songs for the ture which will be recorded in month's time, after which the wting of the picture will be irted. A new find has been cast in the leading role of "Chameli". Two more pictures to be pro- duced by this concern are entitled "Arzu" and "Aansu". The first will be directed by Kami] Rashid while Dr. Wall himself, proprie- tor of the company will direct the other one. Suitable cast is now being chosen for both the pictures. CHITRAKALA MANDIR LTD. (Amritsar) "Roop Rekha" is the ambitious maiden production of this Punjab firm. Tackling a very hot topic of the day. Labour vs. Capital, the picture has a novel approach to the problem, showing a new way out of the present mess, but it avoids making the theme heavy. The picture has some very good songs and dance numbers. Ac- cording to the reports of those who haye seen private trials of the picture, it is expected to set a new standard in humour and characterisation, while Indian wo- manhood is also given its due in the picture. Leading roles are played by new-comers Veena Kohli and Rahman and the sup- porting cast consist of veterans like Ajmal, G. X. Butt, Smriti. Asha Posley, Tufail, Pannalal and the late Durga Mota. LOKMANYA PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Girls' School", their maiden production is now complete. It features Geeta Bali, Sohanlal, Shashi Kala, Sajjan, Ramsingh and Vimla Vashishta. Amiya Chakrabarty has direct- ed the picture and the lyrics com- posed by the famous Pradeep have been set to music by Anil Biswas. Distribution rights of the pic- ture for Bombay and Madras cir- cuits have been purchased respec- tively by the Sharda Kinc Ren- ters and Vijay Films, controlled by Gora Hariff. The shooting of their next pic- ture, tentatively entitled "Ma- hura" is about to commence shortly. Gyan Mukcrji is to pro duce the picture which will be directed by Bibhuti Mitra while Pradeep and Anil Biswas are res- ponsible respectively for the lyrics and the music. HINDUSTAN ART PRODUCTIONS (Calcutta) Their forthcoming picture is named "Xisbat" and is being directed by S. Shamsuddin at Calcutta with popular stars like Yakub and Munawar Sultana in the leading roles supported by S. Mazhar, Jillubai and Mirza Mus- harraf. AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) The success of "Samrat Ashok", producer K. B. Lai's first produc- A complete Drama Set of three records on VI AH ATM A GANDHI, enacted by Durga Khote ind Raj Mehra, and written by Mr. H. R. Shah. Hie whole composition is so inspiring and so true hat you must not miss it. Hear it on " HIS MASTER'S VOICE" Records N. 35328 to N. 35330, available from all H. M. V. Dealers. GREATEST ARTISTS ♦ FINEST RECORDING THE GRAMOPHONE CO., LTD., Dnm Dun . Bomiag - Madras - Delhi 71 FILMINDI A April, 19 "Now, be a good girl, my dear" says Devanand to Ramola in Maya Art Pictures maiden social "Hum Bhi Insan Hain" tion venture has encouraged him to start another picture, a musi- cal social called "Apna Raj", which is now being produced and directed by him under the ban- ner of his new concern, Akash Chitra. It features Madhubala, Ullhas, Sapru (Mr. Lai's old fa- vourite artiste) and Kesar in leading roles. 'TJeshdrohi" is the name of the next picture to be produced by this concern and will be shortly going on the sets. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) "Samrat Ashok", produced by K. B. Lall and released through this well-known firm of distribu- tors has become popular and is paying good box office returns. The firm's activities have been extended towards the production field also and they are busy shoot- ing their maiden picture "Anya- ya" which is nearing completion under the direction of -T. S. Cash- yap. The stellar role in "Anya- ya" is played by Devika Rani, the first lady of the Indian screen. The company is negotiating a deal with a prominent film studio in Bombay with a view to secur- ing it for the production of all Diamond pictures in future. THE SCREENS (Bombay) Mr. Tarachand is busy arrang- ing the release of "Shanti", a mu- sical social produced by the Fir- daus Ait Productions starring Vijayalaxmi, Latika, Sunalini Devi and Afzal. They have also secured the Bombay Presidency and C. P. C. I. distribution of several other pictures % includ- ing "Nek Dil" produced at the Pancholi Studios of Lahore. LIBERTY ART DISTRIBUTORS (Bombay) "Zanjeer" starring Begum Para, Balwant Singh, Jagdish Sethi, Latika, Gone and K. N. Sins;h has been released through this concern at the local Krishna Tal- kies. They have also secured a good many well-known Russian pictures with dialogue in Hindi for distribution. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT LTD. (Poona) "Phool aur Kante", their forth- coming social is ready for release. It features some of the well known stars and artistes like Lalita Pa- war, Saroj Borkar, Salvi, Mohan Saigal and Shalini in leading roles. Offers are being received from reputed and discriminating distributors for the territorial dis- tribution rights of the picture which is reported very favourably in trade circles. JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) Their maiden productu I "Veena" starring Sulochana Cha terjee, Rehman, Veera, Hemavaj and Leela Misra is now ready fij release. Those who have seen til preview of the picture are satij tied with its technical and arist value and the producers are coil fident about its box office succesj T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bon bay) Director Kumar Menon is fat nearing the completion of "Batoh: 1 the first picture produced uij der the banner of this concert! starring Indu Paul, Geeta an Beena Pal in the female rola against Bharat Bhushan of MahjJ tma Kabir fame and Sapru in t\\ male roles. Kesari has also an in j portant role in it. S. K. Pal, wli directed the music of the pictld is reported to have given soirl new and catchy tunes. social. Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage, off Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published by him for " filmindia " Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshah Mehta Road, For*, Bombay, A Soul Stirring Picture OF MAHATMA'S MESSAGE! A GRIPPING STORY OF NATION'S EPIC FIGHT FOR FREEDOM DURING QANDHIAN ERA AZADI-KI-RAHPAR Cast : PRITHVIRAJ * VANMALA * JAIRAJ * JAGDISH * SUNALIN1 DEVI * MISRA * REKHA * JAMSHEDJI * NARMADA SHANKAR * JAWAHAR KAUL and others. tAt Theme of the story. — Dr. PATTABHI SITARAM AYYA Direction: Photography; Muxie'. LALIT MEHTA # YUSUF MULJI • SEVEN ARTS NOW Ready for I m mediate Release! For Particulars Write:- THE HINDUSTAN KALA MANDIR LTD. P. Box No. 2319 BOMBAY 2 PRESENT y- i g RAMESH ARORA SUDHA RAO RAMESH SINHA PURNIMA CHAUDHARY ^R.S.DUBE , CHH KAY PRODUCED BY:- KANTILAL ACHARYA STORY, MUSIC, DIRECTION BY:— NINU MUZUMDAR ASSOCIATES G.K. OAODHANE G-B. VYAS Particulurs'S H A N T I P 34, LALLUBHAI MANSION. BOMBAY I ICTURES VINCENT ROAD, 4 • REGDNo B3517 /M8 >F M< INLAND Rs2/ FOREIGN Sh.4/6 PRESENTS A DELHIDARWAZA R.S, CHOWDHARY J AS PI IRANI SHE did her best to fill her life and those of others with Love, Laughter & Sweetness! And suffered for it. Why? (injustice) Produced & Directed by : J. S. CASSH Y A P For territorial rights please Contact' Crams : BOXOFFICE Phone : 434oc $)iamond$icture$ Ltd. SEKSARI A BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD, BOMBAY 4 31 Dialogue S- Songs: — Bharati Devi & Pt. Ratan Piya Melodies '• — S K PAL Featuring:— BHARAT BHUSHAN, INDU, KESARI & SAPRU Camera: - V. K. B. MANIAM . Indio^raphy: — RAMESH DESAI Songs recorded by: B. N. SHARMA Particulars : — L K. SCREEN CLASSICS* LAXMI STUDIOS, AMBOLI ROAD, Andheri, BOMBAY. U.P., Delhi, East Punjab & Pakistan rights controlled by : — SAINIKS FILM DISTRIBUTORS, C o SETH KISHORILAL MUNILAL, Sardar Market, JODHPUR. I I SOUND RECORDING EQUIPMENT THEATRE EQUIPMENT 16MM PROJECTOR INTERCOMMUNICATION UNITS STUDIO EQUIPMENT TESTING INSTRUMENTS TRANSMITTERS MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS GENUINE SPARE PARTS PH0T0PH0NE EQUIPMENTS LTD. 9 MARINE LINES. BOMBAY. Calcutta • Madras SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month is : INLAND FOREIGN: Rs. 24/- Shillings 50/- Subscription is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD. 65, SIR PHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT. BOMBAY. Telephone : 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. MAY 1948 No. 5. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page inside Rs. Half Page inside Rs. i Page inside Rs. J Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 1st Cover Rs. 400 210 120 150 500 600 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. Wanted (?en5ot5klp--A/ot fteuecution / 'filmindia". from the beginning, lias been vigo- y demanding intelligent, discriminating and, e necessary, ruthless censorship with a view to ng our films of objectionable elements which ikely to have an unhealthy effect on the morals tastes of the public, specially of the younger ation- n particular, we have raised our voice — which, ire to presume, is the voice of the more intelli- responsible and socially-conscious section of hn industry and picturegoers — against those which, wholly or in part, disseminate know- of criminal rackets or encourage and glorify lal tendencies, which exploit the vulgar side of pander to the lowest emotions of the sex- > itten by a man who knows his job. \W FILM PRODUCTION The Commerce Member to the Government of dia said in the course of a reply in the Dominion irliament the other day that the prospects for the tablishment of a raw film industry in India were .mpered not a little by lack of several chemicals d intermediates necessary for the purpose which •re not produced in the country at present. The Minister is reported to have cited the in- mce of Gelatione of a special quality as a major pediment in fulfilling this requirement since it was oduced by only a few firms of the world. Seeing that raw film has been one of the impor- bt requirements for which we have to be depen- nt on foreign countries manufacturing it, it is well jit the Government of India lias begun to pay its :ention in the direction of starting a raw film in- stry of our own. A Calcutta firm is already believed to have ported the first ''film casting" plant in the coun- |r and it is encouraging to learn that plans for ■mulating the ways and means of establishing the 'nplete machinery including a large number of jxiliary industries for the purpose of manufac- •ing raw film, are being contemplated. It is estimated that during April-July 1947 Lne, raw film worth over thirty-eight lakhs was Jported in India which goes to show the enormity I expenditure entailed by this basic item of the lustry. It is imperative that the scientific re- l.rch department of the Government of India puld go thoroughly into the matter and include Iv film-manufacture in the much talked-of indus- Iil plan for the country. t'ORD OF DAMOCLES! [ Talking of raw film, with its imminent shortage iiging like a sword of Damocles over the Indian i industry, the dim prospects of gaining self- |>endency in its production, must strike a note of Isimism and add to the gravity of an immediate ^is that has scared many a producer already. A section of the press went all agog last month >h the rumour that import of raw film may be tailed to about one-third its present average. |h a contingency would inevitably make way for trol on production of films as also the possibility Ithe hideous system of licensing to come in vogue le again. Since then the rumour has been denied I with the Government's fascination for control I. saving of dollars one never knows when they ly take it into their heads to cut down raw film P'orts. Unless the present authorities are merely en- amoured of the idea of controlling film production just to see how far they can perpetuate the tradi- tions and repeat the bureaucratic bungles of their predecessors during the last war, there is but little justification to aggravate the present crisis by dras- tically restricting the import of raw film. Isn't there already too much corruption, black' marketing and boot-legging rampant everywhere without the Government risking a fresh addition on the raw film front? The year 1948 is not, and can never be, 1943 and the Government had better count ten before taking any drastic steps to reduce the import of raw film and launch licensing inasmuch as while the stoppage of criminal waste of raw film is welcome and desirable, a rigid control on production at this juncture might well shatter all hopes of a free and healthy development of the industry bv putting a premium on old and worthless bogeys "while pena- lising the younger and enterprising element. Geeta Bali is cast as a Kulu girl in "Sohag Raat", an Oriental Pictures Production controlled and released by Varma Films. FILMINDIA May. 19 MORE ABOUT TITLES! Those of our film enthusiasts who are accus- tomed to reading between the hues of Hollywood reports, must have read the news about a recent, survey of American film-goers with more than ordi-_ nary interest. According to this survey, film titles receive so elaborate an attention in Hollywood that they are often changed three times before the final choice so much so that the cost of publicity incurred merely for selecting the most appropriate title for a recent Twentieth Century Fox production, came to about lis. 750.000 which figure may not be accepted by our producers even with a, proverbial pinch of salt! In India it may be true that we spend next to nothing on the selection of titles for our films but at the same time it cannot be denied that some of our producers do use their brains to better advantage in naming their offsprings than they do in making them! In fact the way some of them reveal their knowledge of mass psychology and gross indiffer- ence to the nature of the subject while choosing their titles, would appear to constitute no less re- markable a record in their own way as compared to their American counterparts. Take, for instance, Mohan Singh's "grand epic of the great revolution of 1857" screened at the Lamington! Had it not been for the mere title, who the dickens would have ever imagined that t revolution and bloodshed associated with this peri in the pages of our history books was not, after so *'cpic" as compared with the romance betwe one Aslam and Tasnim played by the singi happy-go-lucky pair of Surendra and Suraiya! Then there is the case of Kashmir Fill "Ahinsa" which actually abounded more in violei than non-violence and yet claimed to convey message of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of n< violence and truth! A Calcutta film concern had recently offeree four figure prize to be awarded for the best sugg tion from the public for an ;\pt title for its new f whose theme was mentioned in brief. We do know who got the "award-' and how but the t said to have been suggested and found best, is unimpressive and silly that one feels pity for bankruptcy characterizing the whole stunt. Any school boy could have done better with greater inducement than a cone of ice-cream. WHEN TICKETS ARE SOLD "OUT"! A bill was tabled sometime in September 1£ in the Bombay Legislative Assembly for providj legal action against people selling cinema tickets; a price higher then their face value and for enabl the police to bring this species of blackmarkctf under its clutches, which the people indulging in WHEN YOU GET CINE- KODAK When the time comes to switch off the lights and switch on your Kodascope ... when, in a jiffy, you and your family are transported to a new world — a world of yesterday's high spots preserved in Home Movies for tomor- row's delight, with every reel that's projected yielding its precious cargo of happy moments ... then you'll admit that your patience has been rewarded. Cine-Kodaks and Koda- seopes are now available with Lumenized lenses for clearer and better picture-making in colour or black and white. See your Kodak dealer now and get your order registered. 10 J 948 FILM INDIA J rious profession have so far escaped due to the ■ nee of a specific law. No one knows what happened to the bill and Qg the time that has elapsed since its introduc- the racketeering in cinema tickets is steadily he increase and has been ruthlessly robbing the and middle c'ass picture-goer of his hard- ed money. It is very easy to advise cinemagoers not to tickets from unauthorized persons at a premium heir price. In fact it is as easy as to ask pass- es not to try to board crowded tram cars or [tr?ins. But such advice never holds any water. In a city like Bombay all people cannot be ex- ed to find time to see pictures on any day of the L There are busy men who crn only find to see ;■. picture' on a certain day and at ertain hour which they can conveniently e out of their normal working programmes. y have a right to get tickets for that particular • without having to pay any premium if they careful enough to book in time. But when they h the theatre even in good time they arc told tickets were "sold out"', and yet they find ticketd g sold out — out of the booking office— by hawk- < Kt anything from double to four times the print - \ irice. These people do not like to go back with- seeing the show for which they may have come i a long distance, may have cancelled other gements ;\nd may have also spent some convc- ■e fare. They must needs pay the premium rected by Raj Kapoor. through their nose. It is no good advising such peo- ple not to buy blackmarket tickets. Xo one ever wants to pay for a thing any price higher than its legitimate value, just for the fun of spending money. People are always compelled to pay higher prices for various reasons. Advising them not to do so is no effective remedy for the evil of black-marketeering and profiteering in any com- modity or luxury as also in the cinema tickets. Wake up, Law-Makers! The only remedy lies in bringing to book the people carrying on this illegal and immoral trade and those abetting them therein. And while the sufferers of the evil and their sympathizers have gone on crying hoarse for so many veins, the authorities concerned have content- ed themselves by suggesting all futile ways of mini- mising the evil except the only one which alone is capable of proving effective to some extent at any rate. The evil cannot be checked in any other way. It must be checked by punitive laws. The Bombay Legislature is well-known for the speed with which it often passes bills and turns them into acts and laws. There are instances of the legi- slature having passed bills from all the readings in a twinkling of the eye. One fails to see, therefore, why such an impor- tant bill is still allowed to rot, and the racketeering still allowed to persist and grow day by day and still escape scot free. WHITHER BOMBAY TALKIES? Affairs of the Bombay Talkies Ltd., do not ap- pear to be in a«ny way heartening for the last five years. It is very long since the old days of the company's glory were over. The successive silver, golden ami diamond jubilees of the company's pic- tures, the huge annual profits r.nd the comparative- ly fat dividends to the share-holders are now matters of forgotten history. The present position of the company is anything but satisfrctory. Ever since the split in the Managing Agency of the company in 1943, its administration has kept on frequently changing hands with the result that most of those who handled it in turn paid greater attention to the purchase commissions, black market deals and private profiteering from the sales of the company's pictures than to the production of pictures and progress of the company. For the most part during the last five years the company's admi- nistration has remained in the hands of odd jobbers and market manipulators who knew as much about film production as the Bombay Mini-try knows about horse racing. But they knew a lot of other things and got away, one after another, with as much money as they could make from the various trans- actions, deals and bargains. The company did not produce a eingle picture after "Kismet" that could yield any money, while lavish amounts were spent on the production and publicity of the few pictures that were not able to pay even the cost of production. The result was II foi all types of 35 m.m. and 16 m.m. Sound and Projection Equipment (both static and portable) for any size of theatre. Mercury Arc Rectifiers Screens Mirrors Splicers Rewinders Spools Convertors Slide Lanterns and many other accessories * Large stocks of spare parts always maintained. * * The best technical advice is always available. * ■* * * * Comprehensive service after sales. Our Bom bay showroom and demonstration theatre is now open. You are very welcome. FORBES BUILDING HOME STREET BOMBAY. CALCUTTA - SOCIETY CINEMA. 2, CORPORATION PLACE. MADRAS - KHALEEL MANSIONS, 35, MOUNT ROAD. OJK 650 -tay, 1948 FILM INDIA Dparent. The company's ordinary share of the ; ce value of Rs. 100 1- which was once being quoted i , Rs. 3001- in 1943, is now below par and haxdly ; iy investor could be found who would buy it even ' . a fair discount. The company's balance sheets ive shown an aggragate loss of two million rupees \ iring the years 1944-45 and 1945-46 and evidently, ; e share holders have received no dividends after , i44. W To add to all these, trouble has been brewing I side among the company's staff which is being \ trenched from time to time and subjected to unfair iiits in the wages and the dearness allowance. A , rike was threatened in November last year which 'j as averted by the intervention of the Motion j) .cture Employees' Union, but it now transpires that '* 'e Managing Agents having failed to fulfil the pro- s' ises made to the employees at that time, further c Duble has started afresh and a strike is threatened \ ice again. I ' Meanwhile, I would like to draw the attention iij the company's shareholders to its present state ) , affairs. The Bombay Talkies Ltd. is a share- t Oder's company and a public institution as such. % ^d those at the helm of it are legally and morally \ sponsible to each and every shareholder of the J 'inpany who is a partner in the concern and has \ '• right to question the Managing Agents on any u tal matter affecting the Company's finances, policy i \d administration. t : I want some public-spirited shareholder of the j .^mbay Talkies Ltd. to come forth and demand j tat the Managing Agents should mend matters \ ,fore it is too late. At least for the sake of the good j it Mr. Himansu Rai, who laid down his very life so ^ lat the Bombay Talkies may thrive and prosper. ) :;me one should come forth to find out the root of * ie trouble and have it removed before it becomes & jo big to be eradicated. Ashok Kumar and S. Vacha who have very re- ; jntly taken charge of the production side of the company will, I feel hopeful, put the studio on its feet again. Both of them were "groomed" in the B. T. tradition and are sincere and earnest work- ers. But they must also see to it that the financial affairs of the company are improved along with the quality and quantity of its product. IS THIS REALLY GUJARAT? After several frustrated attemps in the past some Bombay producers are once again busy pro- ducing Gujarati pictures and this time with a fair amount of success as far as the financial aspect of the venture is concerned. Barring one or two isolated attempts by the Sagar Movietone and the Ranjit Film Co. in the old days of silent pictures, there were no Gujarati pictures worth the name until Prakash made a fresh attempt with a couple of pictures produced in the early days of their career. The Gujarati pictures produced by them, however, were poor both in art and technique and the attempt once again met with the failure it rightly deserved. The production of Gujarati pictures was then abandoned by Prakash and, out of the so many Gujaratis that dominate the film industry of the Bombay Province, no one else wanted to try his hand at that risky game until Chandulal Shah took it into his head to produce a '"progressive" picture in that language in 1939. That progressive picture, as will be remember- ed by many readers, was none else than "Achhoot". Chandulal Shah did all that he could to boost the picture before it was released as one of Ranjit's greatest pictures with a progressive theme, and even succeeded in inviting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to perform the opening ceremony of the picture, but with all that the picture proved a flop with Gohar playing a 15 year maiden and several Punjabi and U. P. artistes trying to talk Gujarati without any effort to learn the pronunciation and diction of the language and thus making a mess of it. Since then, fin $f one Z" CHAMPION TYRES 13 TRADITION — background— beauty and pleasure — just words, but they mean so much when linked with the great record of achievement associated with the name "His Master's Voice" Here truly is a radio of fine craftsmanship, high quality of mechanical perfection and pioneering design. MODEL 5200 SIX.VALVE SUPERHET TABLE MODEL FOR A. C. & D. C. MAINS-Magnified Bandspread on 5 short-wave bands— High undistorted output— Efficient visual tuning on short- waves — Pick-up and extra Loud-speaker sockets with control switch and plug— Permanent magnet elliptical loud-speaker — Luxurious Walnut Laminated Cabinet "his master's Mmwdkddo- The Gramophone Company. Ltd. oum dum ■ bombay . madras . delhi May, 1948 FILM INDIA ae a wise businessman, Chandulal Shah gave up the effort as a fruitless one. The communal riots of 1946 and after and the subsequent depression in the exhibition branch of the industry in almost all big cities of India again led some calculating producers to make a fresh ex- periment in the field. The production of Gujarati pictures is a cheap venture inasmuch as stories could be bought for a song or straightaway adapted from mythology and legend, scenarists and dialogue and song writers could be had for any amount below Rs. 500 - per picture and artistes from the Gujarati stage could be got to work in pictures on paltry salaries ranging from Rs. 75|- to a maximum of Rs. 300 - per month, or a lump sum not exceeding Rs- 2,000|- in any case for the entire picture. The pictures cost very little for settings and music a«d all told a Gujarati picture can be produced even in these days of inflation and soaring prices at a cost of Rs. 60 to 75 thousand! And even if the picture could be shown in Bombay. Ahmedabad, Baroda, >urat and a few other big towns of Gujarat and Kathiawar it would easily bring in anything over that much investment to the producer. It is a sim- ple affair end the profits are assured. The result is the production of as many as about a dozen Guja- rati pictures in less than a year and the announce- ment of many more now under production. But what sort of pictures are they? And what a picture of Gujarat do they present? I wonder if any of those Gujarati scholars, historians, social re- formers and literateurs who shout day in and day out about the great cultural heritage of Gujarat has ever seen any of these pictures and if so, has hung his head down in shame! A Disgrace and a Shame These Gujarati pictures are the disgrace of the [Indian film industry and the shame of Gujarat, if the province really ever had any such ancient culture and history as we hear the Munshis, the Mcghanis land the Jhaveris talking of and boosting! What I leather from the Gujarati pictures so far produced lis that Gujarat must have been in the past popu- lated by foolish rulers who were women-chasers and lopium-eaters, ministers who were court buffoons, tradesmen and merchants who were rogues and beoundrels. women who were vamps, and common 'people who were so many idiots! T am aware of the great history and the greater folk literature and legends of Gujarat, and more so of Kathiawar which have no parallel in any other Indian province. But I have so far seen no- thing of it in the Gujarati pictures already produ- ced. On the contrary the pictures so far produced in that language depict the most ridiculous and hateworthy aspects of the life of the Gujaratis dur- ing the most glorious days of the history of that province. The history is distorted in these pictures and its greatness slandered and belittled. Ami all that i< natural because the pictures are being produced by men who have no knowledge of Gujarat's great heritage or no respect for its great men of the past. For them the Gujarati picture is just the translating into film the worst features of the Gujarati stage which, with the 75 odd years of its inglorious existence, has still remained the pri- mitive and most backward stage in India. But I am wondering what all those great spon- sors and exponents and boosters of the glory and culture and heritage of Gujarat are doing! I am asking what the Munshis, the Jhaveris, the Daves, the Pathaks. and others who shout so loudly in our ears about the greatness of Gujarat are doing! Do they want their province to be slandered by their own people in this manner? Do tiny really want the people of other provinces to understand that the Gujarat that is shown by these pictures is their great province of which they are so proud but of which they ought to be really ashamed if the pictures cor- rectly represented its history, legend, culture and society — both ancient and contemporary? Let some Gujarati worth his salt come forth to tell us something. CALLOUS NEGLIGENCE In a fire that broke out at the Chowpatty Cham- bers on the 12th of April, it is reported that one woman lost her life and some fifteen persons suffer- ed burns and injuries. The fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of film stored in one of the rooms in the offices of the Swastik India Ltd., a film In 'Shanti'" the maiden production of a new produc- ing concern — Firdaus Art Productions Vijayalaxmi is the new star. The Picture is distributed by the Screens. 15 7. Microphone and record player For South India: EVERGREEN ( BAN6AL0RE ) LTD., 2, Seshadri Road, BANGALORE. Telephone : Telegrams : 2608 " EVERGREEN" EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 18/146 Papaiah Street, Gandhinagar, BEZWADA. Tele. Add: " EVERGREEN " EVERGREEN PICTURES Saklat House, 15, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY. For Bengal, Bihar, Orissa & Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPN , i I , Esplanade East, CALCUTTA. Tele : Telegram : Cal. 6178 " CINEFILMS " 4. Fidelity of s For North India: EVERGREEN PICTU Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Tel. Add: T< 'DESAICOY" For Indian States : 1 EVERGREEN PICTU No. I, South Tukoganj, INDORE. Tele. "EVERGREEN' ay. 1948 FILM INDIA istributing concern, situated on the first floor of the uilding. The Chowpatty Chambers was by no means a reproof structure and was being used as a residen- al building inhabited by no less than 20 families. Iso understand that the offices of the Swastik ndia, Ltd., had no fire proof film vault for storing lm and I very much doubt if they possessed the ecessary licence for storing film in their office. The gross negligence of the Municipal authori- se and the open defiance of law by film distribu- >rs and others is costing precious lives in the city »nd destroying buildings and property worth seve- il lacs every year. And if my information is correct, "linost all distributing offices in the city mainly situ- ted at Lamington Road. Tribhuvan Road and Dadar Jain Road in thickly populated areas and in non- ire proof buildings are storing any amount of film vithout ever caring to obtain the necessary permit- ion, which, as they very well know, would be de- ^ initely refused in case they asked for it. Numerous other persons store film scrap in all f] orts of places and no one whose duty it is to pre- rent such unauthorised storing ever has the time )r the inclination to look into the matter. Shall we have to go on suffering all this silently vith a Municipal Corporation always fighting party [ )olitics and its members busy struggling for seats bn one committee or another? Durga Khote, Ram Marathe and Balakram in Pra- bhat's forthcoming mythological "Seeta Swayam- var", a Famous release. THREE MONTHS OF CENSORING! Here are the deletions from different pictures: 1. SHADI SE PAHELE— Shree Ganesh Pic- tures; omit all liquor drinking scenes from the film (157 ft.) 2. PAROO— Navayug Chitrapat; In Reel Nob. 9 and 12, omit all liquor drinking scenes (40 ft.) 3. Trailer of "BARRISTER"— Harischandra Pictures; omit the entire scene of Black- mailing from the film (21 ft.) 4. A AGE BADHO— Prabhat Film Co.; in ad- dition to the cuts already made at the time of its certification by the Board on the 9th May 1947 the following additional cuts were made on the loth November 1947. In reel No. 7 — Delete from dance shots showing indecorous movements of the hips and also indecent gestures indulged in by the audience. (11 ft.) In reel No. 11 — From the brothel scene, de- lete the whole portion dealing with the tran- saction between Badridas and Sundari (37 ft.) 5. JAI MAILHAR — Manga] Pictures; in ad- dition to the cuts already made at the time of its certification by the Board on the 14th July 1947 the following additional cuts were made on the 3rd November 1947. In reel No. 9— In song entitled "Chhabidar Nar Gulzar" etc. omit the words "Choli Tata Tatun" and "Masti Ghyaya Lutun". In reel No. 10— In the scene where Daulati is shown lifting Sundari and after taking her upstairs is shown throwing her on his bed and taking off his turban, omit all parts of the scene immediately he is shown climb- ing the stairs. (Total 40 ft) 0. SA.IAN— Filmistan Ltd. In reel No. 13 (a) shorten the whipping scene of the Sorcerer (33 ft)— (b) delete the sentence — "Sun Tab Ham Apna Patika Farj Ada Karnc Yanha Tashrif Layenge" (2o ft.) 7. BARRISTER— Harischandra Pictures. In reel No. 6 delete the sentence to the effect uttered by Mohanlal: "Ham Kai dinse kala bazar ka dhanda karte the, Is dhandeme ham koi pachas lakh rupia kama hai (33 112 ft.) In reel No. 10 curtail the scene showing the maskman with a pistol threatening the heroine and asking her to show the safe where the money is hidden by her father. Only keep the entry of the maskman with the pistol standing near the heroine and his taking away money-bag from the safe, for the purpose of the continuity. (72 ft.) In reel No. 11 drastically shorten the scene showing blackmarketeer in prison to be 17 REPRESENTATIVE INSTALL ATI ONS: MAHAJI TALM BH US AVAL |\ Tumi* ADARSM POONA Oft- m***1 SCW*" 5^ NEW DOSUAN CINEMA d KAMALTALKIES BOMBAY AND MANY MORE South Agtwi ^cIne supplies Grams: FILMOSOUND. IES ore City. J 3.NEWQUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4 Crams FONOCINE 1948 FILM INDIA 9. blown up by dynamite, actual lighting and burning of the rope to light the dynamite should be entirely deleted keeping only the box on which the word '•dynamite-' is writ- ten for continuity. (78 ft.) SUNO SUNATA HOON— Aurora Produc- tions. In reel No. 1 delete the piece where the hero takes a seat after receiving congra- tulations from his girl friends. The beha- viour of the girls is objectionable. 1 59 ft.) In the same Reel delete the piece where a girl-friend touches the Hero's chin before leaving the hall. (2 ft.) In Reel No. 2 delete the piece in which a member of the audience winks at Meera. at the singing party. 1 7 ft.) In Reel No. 4 delete the piece in which Surcsli embraces Lata (Meera before her marriage — 7 ft.) In the same Reel delete the scene where the servant Chandu watches Lata and Champa while they select dresses. (36 ft.) KUBER — Shoopal Picture; In the scene where the Police Sub-Inspector is shown whipping Kondaji, show only a symbolic action of whipping without showing actual whipping. Omit all reference to the whipping of Ku- mar Kulkarni's father under the orders of ' lari looks the perfect Gujarati aristocrat lady in unsundari, Ajit's maiden production in Gujarati. Jaimala, a newcomer to the screen looks promising in "Mandir", Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden picture. the Mamlatdar together with the order and proclamation by "Dawandi" and the con- sequential scenes. Insert a sub-title "Shik- sha bhogun alya nantar" immediately after the judge has pronounced the sentence. (Total cuts 490 ft.) 10. TIGER MAX — Lakshmi Productions. From Reels 2 and 3 omit two scenes showing the Prince drinking (11 ft.) From Reel No. 4 curtail the scene of strug- gle between the Prince and the heroine by omitting the parts where the Prince throws her on a bed. (11 1|2 ft.) From Reel No. 7 curta.il drastically the tor- ture scene where the village mukhia is tor- tured by being hung over a burning fire and whipped along with his followers by omit- ting especially the parts where he is brought too close to the fire to burn his body (60 ft.) 11. YVOH ZAMANA— Shree Ranjit Movietone. Cut the scene of dagger fight between Raghunath and Mulubha by the omission of all close-ups of their gory heads and bodies. Omit all the close-ups of Raghunath's dis- figured body and face when he visits his father and subsequently; omit close-ups of his disfigured face as far as possible, in lat- er scenes. 19 15* Award ...for Western Electric Sound Recording Again chosen for the signal honour of the Motion Picture Academy's "Oscar" for Sound Recording, Western Electric equipment has proved its excellence for the 15th time in 18 years. Inciden- tally the three pictures "The Bishop's Wife", " T-Men " and " Green Dolphin Street " chosen prior to final selection for the recording award were all recorded by Western Electric. 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1944 1946 1947 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Paramount Paramount Paramount Columbia Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer United Artists United Artists Universal United Artists United Artists 20th Century Fox Columbia Samuel Goldwyn ("The Bishops Wife" Special Technical Achievement Award and Plaque Another 1947 award by the Academy goes to C. C. Davis Western Electric for development of an Improved Film Dr Filter Mechanism. The principle of this Filter is incorpora in our post-war Westrex Reproducers and the new West< Electric Recorders. Western Decttic Company of India ESPLANADE ROAD • BOMBAY. |eera Savvant has an important role in Jivan Kala Chitra's forthcoming picture "Hua Savera". Reduce the scene of Ragliunath whipping his wife to 2 or 3 strokes of whips. Omit the close-up of the severed head and convulsing head of Raghunath. Omit all references to the name of Gaekwar and Baroda from the film. 12. SHIVARATRA— Sarita Chitra. Omit the word "Shivratra" written on a brandy bot- tle in the opening sub-titles. 13. FLYING MAN— Roshan Pictures. From Part 4 delete the following sentence: (In jail) Nahi to Devdasi Banana Hoga. (14 ft.) From Part No. 6 delete the following sen- tence:— (In Mandir) same as above (6 ft.) From Part No. 7 delete the following: — (In Chamber) Devdasi (3 ft.) From Part No. 8 delete the following sen- tence:— (In jungle) "Ke mere admi tumhc uthale janeki koshish karenge" (7ft.) 14. SHADI-SE-PAHLE — Raja Nene Produc- tions. In Reel No. 4, in the scene where a group of gamblers are shown dancing and singing, omit such parts as show them mak- ing vulgar gestures (91 ft.) In Reel No. 7, in the scene where some gamblers are shown playing, omit the part where the leader is shown explaining the gambling technique to the new-comers. (25 ft.) FILMINDI A 15. MIRZA SAHIBAN— Madhukar Pictures. From Reel No. 6, omit the close-ups of Mirza's bleeding head, after he is beaten with a stick severely by the mother of Sahiban (122 ft.) From Reel No. 12, omit from the dance scene the following two lines: — "Uthata Sha- bab mera Ek Mitha Khawab hai Patali Kamar Hai, Tirchi Xazar Hai" (51 ft. I 16. AMAR PREM— Natraj Pictures— Omit part of the film showing Kansa killing him- self with a dagger; the scene should show Kansa holding his hand on his heart after the image of Shree Krishna is shown in his heart, and then falling down. 17. MATLABI— Jagriti Pictures. The film "Matlabi" is prohibited on the ground that it is unsuitable for exhibition to the public in India. 18. PARIVARTAN— Acharya Art Productions. The film "Parivartan" is prohibited on the ground that it is unsuitable for exhibition to the public in India. 19. BIHARI — Samaj Chitra. Omit the two drinking scenes from the film. Also omit in Songs Xos. 1 and 5 the following two lines:— "Chhatia dhak dhak ubhare jobanava". "Chhupava jobanava kown jatan". In Great India Pictures' maiden production "Parai Aag", Mumtaz looks quite captivating. 21 PICTURE rfi£A Si/fit HROMANC£ Of G/PSY L/f£ &W&tf&> CRAMOUNDRA ^TARMNO ASHOK KUMAR U REHANA JltJi RANJIT KUMARI • R .GUPTA LEELAMISRA •S.L.PURI etc. NEXT CHANGE AT NOVELTY Jab*0! Shaheed AN INSPIRING SCREENPLAY OF PATRIOTISM GHULPM UP/DCQ RAMESM SAIC.I Siwbihg: KAMINI KAUSUAL * DILIP KUi CUANDI?AMOUAN»V.U. DE» # LEELAGJITNIS Witti RAMSINGU'S.LPUfi NEXT CHANGE AT ROXY ( In this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month — some anxious and several frivolous— it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treated in an informative and humorous strain and no offence is meant to anyone.) RAVAL (Nairobi) What is the way to success in politics? Can you describe how many footsteps are needed to reach the top? Docs it require skill and spirit? Skill is necessary not spirit. Like the two railway routes to Delhi there are two ways to top politics. The Yallabhbhai route and the Jawahar highway. In either case you have to go through Chowpatty, Shiva ji Park, Kamgar Maiden, Jinnah Hall and Bamlila Grounds. Most of our politicians were bom in the Chowpatty sands. Did you learn your line the hard way? Hard was too soft for me. It was damn hard in my case. What would happen it' I land a heavy right punch in a fat bania's stomach? Don't do it. The black market profits will fall out and disturb our national economy. Can you show the way to earn big money? Ask Chandulal Shah. He knows all the ways. N. M. CHAVAN (Bombay) Cobi:'. on Begum Para's forehead, what does it signify? A fatal bite. K. S. S ANKARA NARAYANAN (New Delhi) What is your frank opinion about the alleged Communist activity in Hollywood? It is noise that advertises Communism and sells the Big Bear to many an ignorant Ameri- ccn who doesn't know where Russia is situated on the world map. It is said that Claudettc Colbert is shortly to retire from the screen and that she proposes to be- come a director. Do you think a woman can be a good director? Why not? It is an easier job to be one in Hollywood than in India where a director has to do everything from the script to the release. We have Protima Dasgupta, a more competent person than many male directors put together. (THIKA DUTT (Calcutta) How is it possible to infuse the sense of better jhowmanship amongst cinema owners? Only by a penal laxc with a year of hard labour as the alternative. SIM KUMAR GHOSE (Salkia, Howrah) Why is Baburao Patcl such a roaring success? Where did you pick up that rumour? SUSHIL C. JAIN (New Delhi) I like a girl. But when I look at her, she looks awry. Why? That is a wise girl and not blind either. I am glad to find that our girls still show some good teste. If life is a passing phase, then why at all the desire to live? No one is asking you to. Invite us for your funeral. Mil. AMEENUDDIN (Madras) Do you think strikes are good weapons to get one's grievances redressed? Strikes are good for increasing the list of grievances and enlarging the shadows of little politicians. BHIMARAO V. SAVANUR (Poona) Who is your son-in-law? What's his name? Mn- Mahomed Munnawai\ Bather an im- pressive name with three 'ATs/ Devika Rani of "Miya Bibi'' will once again be seen in all her glamour and exquisite charm in "Anya- ya", Diamond Pictures' first production. 23 FILMIND1A May, 1948 You look younger than your age. Why? That's a trade secret. I am a very lazy fellow. What am I to do? Don't do anything for the present. Very shortly when you jeel hungry you_ will get go- ing. Hunger is a good cure for laziness. C. HYDER ALI KHAN (Chowlur) If from the health point of view coffee and tea arc harmful to man, how do you like the idea of banning them in order to get a supply of pure milk? Banning is in fashion and I like to be in fashion. But with the coics in Muslim stomachs we shall have to squeeze Dalmia to get some milk. MRS. KAMA (Mercara) We hear thousands of rupees being spent on statues. What's the use? Can't that money be uti- lized for the poor and starving? In a country like India, the poor and starving are endless and eternal and we cannot but immortalize the memory of politicians at least in bronze and marble for bequeathing to us this endless queue of hungry people through ages. M. K. DEVADATHAM (Parbhani) Can you guess why Master Rajiv Nehru (son of Mrs. Indira Gandhi) is named after his grand father and not after his own father? It seems that anyone who marries a Nehm loses his name and becomes a Nehru. _ When one becomes a Nehru, he gets a lofty nose and becomes direct heir to Jawaharlal. Only Vijaya- lakshmi has remained a Pandit. Her husband was as brilliant a man as her father and bro- ther. Jawaharlal will soon become King Nehru. Did you feci my silence all these days? Yes. I wondered. Did you die all these days? Did you send anything to Princess Elizabeth on her wedding? I have a daughter of my own to give pre- sents to. T. P. JHUNJHUNUWALA (Kanpur) Do you like the caste system? Can you take food with your bhangi? When I eat with a Muslim what's wrong with a bhangi? The Muslim belongs to another religion, doesn't he? B. CHAKRAVERTY (Kasganj) Raj Kapoor has now taken to directing in "Aag". Do you think he will be as good at directing as at acting? Let's wait and see! That youngster has brains. He has created his opportunity. What. he needs is a little luck. What is the formula for a successful picture? If I had it, I wouldn't be writing "fdmindia". 24 THEY ARE ALL BOX-OFFICE Brand MOHAN PICTURES An Ambitious. Musical-Magic Stunt JADU-I-SHEHNAI With An Exceptionally Powerful Cast — : ^taxiing : — ■ PRAKASH*AMIR Karnatki*BACHCHA Shanta Patel * Leela Pande * Devraj AnJ The F amous Comedians RAFIQUE & ANSARI Directed by: NASEEM SADIQUI ( of " Angoorbala " fame ) Another Powerful Magic Stunt JADU-I-ANGOOTHI : ^tailing : ANIL KUMAR*HUSNARA * DEVRAJ < And The Twin Comedians Kesari Singh & Yar Mohamud Directed by: A. M. KHAN A Musical-Magic-Master Stunt JADU-I-SINDOOR Directed By: NASEEM SIDIQUE Ready For Release PRABHA PICTURES* Magical Magnificent Stunt JADU-I-CHITRA — : Starring ; — ANIL KUMAR*SHANTA PATEL* BACHCH A Leela Pande* Devraj and RAFIQUE with ANSARI Directed By : JASWANT C. ZAVERI CHALLENGE PICTURES' JAI HIND Alias S I P A H I PRAKASH*SHANTA PATEL*BACHCH A Directed By- RAMNIK VAIDYA For Territorial Rights, Apply To : — RAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL & Co., Khetwadi Main Road, BOMBAY, 4 khtari and Amarnath agree to something plea- int for both the way they join their left hands in •'Papiha-Re'*, Kuldip Pictures' maiden social. Why do women grow fat after marriage? They empty their mind in favour of the man. Who is the fellow who is holding up your pie- Hire, "Gvalan"? He let it go recently but in doing so threw it away. || K. NAKUL (New Delhi) Do you fear death? If I had I would hat e become a clapper and not a critic. Why don't you write degrees after your name? The only degrees I get is when I run up a temperature. .. K. MURKER (New Delhi) Are you proud of your popularity, Mr. Patel? Ij'ou are discussed in eafes, cinemas, parks and re- fugee camps! Rut not in my bank. The names of the pictures often have no rele- Ijancy with the story. Don't the blokes take some I ain in the selection of names? ( | Bastards are always baptized at random. Will there not be two different maps for India FILM INDIA // they have different maps they will for- get each other and meet as strange friends. But politicians won't change the old map. When under trial in the Red Fort, the I.N.A. officers were given wide publicity. Are they busy raising their own army or have they become dumb? They were used for the purposes of politi- cal propaganda. Xo one icorries about I.N.A, now . SYED MOOSA (Bangalore) Doctors call nurses "sisters". What do the di- rectors call actresses? Film directors are not such polished hypo- crites. They are more honest. Is Mohan Sinha's "Omar Khayyair." the same story written by K. Ahmed Abbas and you? The 0 mar. Abbas and I gave birth to. was still-born. He didn't even give out the first yell. N. V. R. SWAMY (Negapatam) Why don't you pay a visit to South India? Has anything changed since I saw it last, seven years ago? If racing is stopped, what will you do with your horse? Since Jawaharlal doesn't say anything about it. I shall give it to some Irani for ?nak- ing sausages. Jairaj looks quite imposing with his beard though Jagdish Sethi is not quite pleased with him in Hin- dustan Kalamandir's maiden production ''Azadi kl- Rah Par". 25 SHflNGRhlA For Particulars : - JAGAT PICTURES SHREE SOUND STUDIOS. MAIN ROAD. DADAR, BOMBAY. Distributors:- DELHI, U.P. & EAST PUNJAB :- JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS, Chandni Chowk, Delhi. BENGAL:- AMBICA FILM EXCHANGE, Bentinck Street, Calcutta. C.P.C.I.:- BHARTI FILM DISTRIBUTORS, Indore. May, 1948 FILM INDIA Are we really in Free India? You are running up a temperature and (jet- ting delirious. What are the change? that have taken place in India before and after the 15th August in general? Xowadays they tie us up with hand-spun and handwoven ropes, though sometimes they use the seme old foreign bullets. S. GHOSE (Serampore) I want a friend, how can I get one? You can buy one for two rupees every month — a friend that tells you the truth hu- morously. J. O. GUPTA (Kanpur) While producing pictures, do the film producers feci themselves responsible to anybody? Oh yes! To their race horses, feminine commitments, gambling gomes and other sports. Why is your criticism becoming so perfect day by day? The product is becoming more defective. ADVI RAO K. (Raichur) Is there any truth in the rumour that the Sikhs have made up their mind to hold the reins of India in their hands? They may have but who is handing over the reins. GULAB SINGH (Kamptee) Why don't you become a political leader? Veena Kohli and Rehan make the romantic pair in "Roop Rekha", Chitra Kala Mandir's maiden social. In her astonishment Sudha Rao adds charm to her simplicity in Shanti Pictures' maiden social, "Kuchh Naya". Perish the thought. Haven't we enough murderers let loose in this ancient land of Buddha and Gandhi'ji? V. ANGELA RAU (Madras) How may a faithful wife cure a drunkard husband? Drunkenness is a disease. It needs a doctor and not the wife. Is there any harm if a woman in her thirties marries a man of twenty-five? No harm if the icoinan looks younger and the man feels older. Define in simple words an ideal woman? Mother. MARTIN T. (Dibrugarh) Did anybody ever pull your leg? That's what you fellows do every month and I pull it back. Do you think it necessary to go to the temple, mosque or church to worship God who is omnipre- sent? I go to a temple to admire architecture and yet I believe in God. If God lived in a temple men would find him. J. LAL THANVI (Jodhpur) Tell us frankly your opinion on Free India's first railway budget. Do you personally approve of the raising of fares? Those trains must run and they need silver wheels. 27 SOVEXPORTFiLM * MOSCOW * I. 2. FIRST GliOUE:- Special AmwmmtneiH I We have great pleasure in announ- cing that we have been appointed General Agents of SOVEXPORT- FILM, MOSCOW, for the follow- ing Two great "RUSSIAN MASTERPIECES" for the whole of India, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon & Nepal. ( The Great Russian Composer ) with Sub-Titles in ENGLISH 14 REELS ! ONE Reel of "WINTER SPORTS IN RUSSIA " in Russian colour with commentary in English. ( A Comedy full of Laughs & Gags ) with Sub-Titles in ENGLISH 9 REELS! THREE Reels of "LIFE OF PLANTS", a beautiful topical in colours with English commentary. 3. Souiet Reus Reels ^3oi IBoolkngi & ^J^aitLcutaxi fihaiz contact :- Grams : BOXOFFICE Phone : 43400 DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD. BOMBAY 4. May, 1948 FILMINDI A Shanta Apte, the screen's veteran artiste, is starred in Bhoomradi Productions' "Mandir", Winayak's last directorial assignment. What is your definition of ''morality'".' .4 strictly personal virtue with which the state has nothing to do. What is fashion? KilHny people for politics. H. MAHADEVIAH (Benares) Can you guide us in teaching a lasting lesson to a particular cinema owner, who is not in a mood to improve his picture "hell" in spite of repeated com- plaints through your "filmindia"? Give him a Month's ultimatum . Thereafter whip up public and official opinion by peaceful picketing at the gates of the cinema. A week's treatment will cure the most chronic cinema owner. R. C. HIREMATH (Davangere) By what do you measure happiness? By the smiles around me. M. KL'NHIK ANNAN (Mettupalaiyam) Please let me know what Nargis is doing nowa- days? Producing a picture in partnership with Chandulal Shah just as I did. Majority of my friends are Muslims who didn't volunteer for Pakistan. What do vou think of me Sir? You are more lucky. I was in the same boot once but many of my friend* went to Pakistan and sonte of the remaining ones stabbed the here. 'P. JANARDHAN RAO (Secunderabad) Do our women dress with an eye for their hus- band's like* and dislikes in colour and style? They do as long as their men appreciate. Women lose interest in dress when their men lose interest in them. What do angels look like? Dead bodies. ABDUL HAI (Raichur) On what grounds do you recommend the film industry to be included in post-war planning? Because its product poisons ynillions everx. day. The film is the most powerful weapon of propaganda to teach people a new way of life. You revel in your criticisms and commend your- self when action is taken on them. Don't you know great men never praise themselves? I am not a great man. I am a little man who takes a big bite and I feel happy when 1 digest it. J. S. PILLAI (Suva, Fiji Islands) Could you tell me what you do with those ques- tions which lack grammatical construction, but ne- vertheless carry sensible meaning? / icould rather have sense than grammar. Do you think that on moral grounds, Britain will bp justified in remaining in India after June 1948 if the outstanding Hindu Muslim differences are not settled? Leela Chitnis is featured in Filmistan's forthcoming picture "Shaheed" as the hero's mother. 29 NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF INDIAN MOTION PICTURE ~~ A STORY SO DARING A THEME SO REVOLUTIONARY HAS BEEN PRODUCED! Hindustan Kala Mandir Presents PRITHVIRAJ V A N M A L A J A I RAJ JAGDISH SETHI IN A FLAMING SAGA OF INDIA'S BATTLE FOR FREEDOM ! Supported by: Sunalini Devi: Misra: Rekha : Jawahar Kaul : Narmada Shankar: Hamid Akhtar & Nautiyal Photography: Yusuf Mulji Direction: LALIT MEHTA Music: Seven Arts it's A off? Ready for Release • FOR. PARTICULARS PLEASE WRITE TO THE HINDUSTAN KALA MANDIR LTD. P. Box 2319, BOMBAY 2. For C. P. C. I. M/s. TAK FILM CORPN MADANGANJ. KISHAN GARH : ( RAJPUTAN A ) Maj 1948 FILMINDI A Moral or immoral grounds, Britain is get- ting out officially because India is not giving Bri- tain free board and lodging any more. If our present Socialist party promises us free ,ows in their regime, would you be kind enough to iote for them? Socialists can't afford to give us free shows except their own exhibitions for which also they want us to pay. IISS GOUROO KUSHALPA (Mercara) How does a beautiful scenery affect you? / feel the presence of God near me. . R. INDURKAR (Indore) Do you believe that fortune is a lazy goddess? And blind and unreasonable. A dead person is always praised for his deeds ,,nc in the past. Why not a living one? The living one is also praised by epithets of jealousy. It is found that you are in the habit of chang- ng your opinion ;>.s and when necessary? That's right. The human mind must pro- gress as it discovers new knowledge. How can I be static? I change from minute to minute. i. N. SRINIVASAN (Mysore) What are the qualities of a good politician? N'ame a good politician who was once a film actor. Wait another ten years. Prithviraj is now in the crucible and has already begun talking Suraiya is the leading lady of Ratan Pictures' maiden social "Kajal" directed by M. Sadiq. nonsense and giving us a headache. He likes his own voice and I like his perseverance. RAM DULARI DEVI (Dumka) Define opportunists? The new official recruits to the present nationalism and khaddar. What has made the film industry one of the most profitable businesses in the world? The nurhber of idiots that crowd the world. V. K. FAZLUR RAHMAN (Bangalore) Why is Tara Singh known as 'Master'? Must have been a school master, station master or a post master. He looks like some master. NARAIN SAWANT (Bombay) What is the future of the film industry in Pakistan? It has no future unless India agrees to re- lease pictures produced in Pakistan. Why hasn't Jayashree acted in her husband's latest picture, "Jeevan Yatra"? Probably because Yaqub was acting the hero. Why are our leaders fond of accepting invita- tions for numerous public functions? // is the newscamera that plays havoc with vanity of our leaders. A friend of mine after going through your leader. "Democracy or Moonshine", told me that you are fast becoming a communist! Is it correct? / see no other alternative if the present game of favouritism end nepotism continues. Why aren't Muslim producers inviting the Qr.aid-i-Azam to do the opening ceremony of their pictures? The Muslim producers didn't get a dog's chance to see the Quaid-i-Azam's shadow, though they waited four weeks outside his house in Karachi. Nowadays it is quite in fashion to invite the Prime Minister or the Governor Genera] to do the opening ceremonies of pictures- What is your opinion about it? These turned up noses at least know that India also produces motion pictures in addition to politicians. Is kissing a vice? Why is it not introduced on the Indian screen? Our sound recording is not perfected yet. With our present technical knowledge a kiss wUl sound like an aeroplane crash. Besides our Congress ministers have been in jail too long to remember their early thrills of a kiss. A kiss is therefore banned as a social reform — only from the screen. S. A. KAZEMI (Calcutta) At present which is the most civilized nation in the world? 31 it Directed & Photographed By: — K E K I Ml ST R Y, centralrItudios.) it Produced By : SHARAF. Music : K. DUTT. (Koregaonkar) r* reduction- Controller ;- A. K. SAWANT. Co-starring : — * SURENDRA smtl * MTNNAWAR SULTANA WITH PROTIMA DEVI * LEILA KUMARI ★ SANOBAR RAMESH SINHA * SANTOSHI KUMAR BHUDOADVANI + M U RAD KHAN & WASKAR. For Territorial Rights Contact: SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRODUCTIONS^^IS^^'y0!. May, 1948 FILMINDI A Shivraj has the dignity and imposing look of a mys- tic in T. K. Screen Classics' maiden social picture "Batohi". Switzerland, if peace is the proof of civili- zation. Through two wars, Switzerland didn't lose a single citizen. With the division of India. Muslims arc rush- fog madly to Pakistan. I, being unable to decide whether I should remain in Hindustan or move to Pakistan, would like to have your advice? Stay where you are and if they want to kill you. die fighting. You icon't die twice so there is nothing to be afraid of. JETINDAR NATH (Hoshiarpur) How can one become mad? Shout loudly about the things you see happening before your eyes and the authorities will proclaim you mad. Sanity in the present world means a general conspiracy to keep mum over what is happening and echo only what is licensed. MRS. PUSHPA CHANDRA (Lucknow) What do you think will be the position of Philip Mountbatten as a husband when his wife becomes the Queen of England? He uill be the Queen's husband just like Yeerasira m y being the stcr's husband. K. G MATHLR (Meerut) Have you ever been impertinent? / hare never been polite unnecessarily. Are you in any way affected because of the de- parture of Munnawar Sultana to Pakistan"' All the Sultans and Sultanas will be back because though wheat is grown in Pakistan, bread is baked in Hindustan. Enumerate the types of people you dislike. / don't dislike human beings. I dislike their acts. What are your relations with Protima and Para? Protima is my friend. Para my child. POORAN CHANDRA PANDEY (Luckno.v) How far is ft correct to say you are an egoist? 100 per cent. What appeals to you more — woman in tears or woman in smiles? / love snides. They are rare in these days with millions in tears. Are the two abilities — ability to go to jails and ability to administer — identical? Xot after recent exhibitions. I think some of these jail pilgrims are only good at going to jails. Jhunjhunuwala (Kanpur); B. Chakraverty iKasganj); S. K. Nakul (New Delhi); Syed Moosa (Bangalore) ; S. Ghose (Serampore) ; J. O. Gupta (Kanpur); V. Angela Rau (Mad- ras); Martin T. (Dlbrugarh) ; J. Lai Thanvi (Jodhpur); P. Janardhan Rao (Secunderabad) : K. N. Srinivasan (Mysore); S. A. Kazemi (Cal- cutta); Jatindar Nath (Hoshiarpur); Mrs. Pushpa Chandra (Lucknow); and Pooran Chandra Pandey (Lucknow). Money Orders are being sent to the prize winners. 33 Rs. 500 IN 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH The following prizes are awarded every month for questions which are considered in- teresting or elicit interesting replies In the "Editor s Mail". 1st Prize: Rs. 100; 2nd Prize Rs. 80; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50; 4th Prize: Rs. 40; 5th Prize: Rs. 30 and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs. 10 each. A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. Questions should be neatly written or typed if possible. Unless the letters are signed, they won't be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor's decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no correspondence will be entertained. The names of the prize-winners will be announced in "filmindia" every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Order. PRIZE WINNERS FOR MAY 1st Prize: Rs. 100 to Narain Sawant (Bom- bay i; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80 to N. V. R. Swamy iNegapatamt; 3rd Prize Rs. 50 to P. Raval i Nairobi i ; 4th Prize: Rs. 40 to R. K. Mukker (New Delhi); 5th Prize: Rs. 30 to K. G. Mathur (Meerut) and 20 consolation prizes of Rs. 10 each to the following: — N. M. Chavan (Bom- bay); Md. Ameenuddin (Madras); Bhimrao V. Savanur (Poona); C. Hyder Ali Khan (Chow- lun; M. K. Devadatham (Parbhani); T. P. WATCH FOR THEATRE GRAND GALA PREMIERE IN BOMBAY. mm |tr<2S*«J fx 'Produced Uncled FOR C PC. I.. - BHARATI FILM DISTRIBUTORS. 100, M. T. SIND, BALUCHISTAN INDO-PAK FILM CORPORATION, 749 Cloth Market, IN DO RE F c L Studio, Mahalaxmi, BOM BA BENGAL - MITTRA FILMS, Club Road. MUZAFf ARPUR. IAST PUNIAB - SWARN PICTURES Hari Palace, JULLUNDUR OVERSEAS - WASSIAMUL OSAMULL. For Particulars'.' K. lv . FILMS 512, COLLEGE STREET, MATUNGA. BOMBAY. Phone 6021 KAMINI KAUSHAL — She kindles the fire of love xuith her alluring eyes in "Aag", R. K. Film's ambitious maiden social, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor. . „„vouisidei« * ,.o-opeiatw>n on » t com b»w«* ,„, ,0, *. «-**■* «% W" » 3 andl»auia Concerns sap** Plc patriotic note. N^fJ^t ^ going Then we « gieat EO & MOl ^^d-adV^-^ead «*Pj£ ^a«ne* T wemavati ptevs directed DY picture situate »;roan w0* M .J*^ «B « mini Ka«*A. teS todtaWI * cs aie 0ut f Ka?Tte enteriawiaent ram0us P*«u fotc> SI fiISt'ia Vl i» aU tb:e SSndid response as «t> tne same sp tHese co.es SRNt H s To add to v.ved a definite . .-H have »V »" , new »°x c releases v»fi^ n a sttin9 oI n ramons 1 Nation ma Yasno- I.' oV associau Manoranva. ^ IbapPV Sniaiva, idanCe. in 1 apP*eCia^0atcKVess stats; * ' ieIlced «ttltt fat). Bf Saonat ^eas% ^ ^ **» « MadfiuoaJ^0^iabfiatpo^ ..one^K • tat aUf £» nvodexn a«d - * r°t 5 sSs- « iS 90m9 days and axe su*e von lCtive Ust ot days r0U the toes* . u* meetings, rai(i0tt8 Pictoi st wisfies ana Hindustani . „ tt*t success now « MEENA KUMAR1 — In Rati jit's latest social release "Pii/a Ghar Aia", charming Meena Kuntari has an inviting smile and a welcome look ready for the reception oj the beloved returning home. and now BLUE ART PICTURES' another proud presentation j pirii A Symbol of Aesthetic Performance ! featuring PARO NIHAL ALTAF Badriprasad & Anwari Begum # Abubakar & Putli & Aga & Satyarani & Raja Salim CUCKOO and KHURSHID Jr. Music: Screenplay & Songs: Dances- Shaukat Dehlvi Shevan Rizvi D. Babulal Direction : A. SHAKOOR Produced by : Ismail M. Devjee Ready, fa, Jleiease East Punjab, Bengal, CPCI., Overseas: SURESH FILM DISTRIBUTORS, 321, V. Patel Road, Bombay 4. South: K. M. PANDYA, Madras Sind & Baluchistan: E. H. & A. H. LTD., Karachi Western Pakistan: VATAN PICTURES, Lahore Delhi & U. P. : FILM SALES SERVICE Inquire U BOMBAY PRCSIDCNCY o„l,, BLUE ART PICTURES ~ 174. HEERA BUILDING. CARNAC ROAD. BOMBAY. OUR REVIEW Shantaram Vindicates "Tamasha" Popular Maharashtrian Folk Music Is Starred In "Ram Joshi" ! After two such outstanding flops as "Jeevan Yatra" and "Andhon ki Duniya", Shantaram's Raj Kamal Kalamandir was on the downward grade, hut "Rani Joshi" has saved Shantaram's reputation and given Raj Kamal another lease of life. "Ram Joshi" is, pre-eminently, a vindication of the popular folk entertainment of Maharashtra known as "tamasha" which re- cently came under the censure and ban of the morality-obsessed Home Minister Morarji Desai (appropriately called "Moralji" Desai by BLITZ l. May be, here and there, an element of vulga- rity had crept into the songs of the "tamasha" (as has happened with all other forms of entertain- ment including stage, screen, vau- deville and music hall) but in that case, such vulgar portions could have been eliminated, in- stead of clamping down a blanket ban nn "tamasha" as such. Per- haps, what was found objection- able was not the alleged vulgarity (which can be witnessed in other form in Taj cabarets as much as in village "tamashas") but the extempore wit of the performers of this medium whose slashing tongues do not spare the high and the mighty, the pompous and the .hypocrites, whether they wear crowns or Gandhi caps. "Tamasha" is not only a popular form of ajnusement, it is a living "Peo- ple's Theatre", with a tradition of outspoken social and even politi- cal criticism. No wonder while the Congress ministry seeks to ban "tamashas", the Socialists and the Communists, and the People's Theatre artistes, have all adopted this medium to propagate their respective ideologies. A REAL MUSICAL Not Ram Joshi the individual but this dynamic popular art of the "tamasha" is the real star of Shantaram's picture. The verve, Vitality, spontaneity, unsophisti- cated charm and sex-appeal, the witty repartees and social satire which all constitute the distin- guishing features of "tamasha" have been fully exploited in the picture. "Ram Joshi" is a musi- cal in the best sense of the word — not a story with songs thrown in. but the story of music, in which each incident, each drama- tic twist, each climax is worked out musically through a song which is an integral part of the narrative. The music (particularly in the Marathi version but also, to a great extent, in the Hindustani version) has the authentic sweet and unsophisticated charm of the original Marathi laonis and powa- das which constitute the musical core of the "tamasha". While Maharashtrians will delight in hearing such excellent rendering of their provincial folk-music, the non-Meharashtrians will doubt- less enjoy this (for them) refresh- ingly new type of songs. RAM JOSHI Producers: Rajkamal Kala- mandir Language: Hindi Songs: Narendra & Niranjan Shrivastav Music: Vasant Desai Photography: G. Balkrishan Audiography: Minu Tumpal Cast: Manmohan Krishna, Hansa, Shakuntala, Parshuram, Sudha Apte etc. Released At: New West End, Bombay. Date of Release: 25th March 1948. Directed By V. SHANTARAM Recruit M. N. Thakur of Room No. T-61, Chembur Refugee's Camp, Bombay is an undergraduate. 5'-7" and has acted in amateur stage plays. BRAHMIN WHO BECAME A 'BHAAND'! "Ram Joshi'' is the true story of the eighteenth century Maha- rashtra under the Peshawas. Ram was a young Brahmin who, in- stead of learning the scriptures according to family tradition, dis- carded the puritanic code of his caste, and adopted the career of a wandering entertainer (contem- ptuously known as a 'bhaand'). He was a born poet and by iden- tifying himself with the life of the common people, he sought in- spiration for his poetry in the earth, rather than in the heaven of gods and goddesses. He be- came a real 'poet of the masses', singing their songs and telling their tales, amusing and entertain- ing them, educating and inspiring them. The moral code which he followed in this career was cer- tainly not conservative, conven- tional or ascetic: the fanatical Brahmins of the eighteenth century did not approve of his way, nor would our twentieth-century khadi -clad moralists have approved of it. Yet Ram Joshi not only won the love and admiration of the common people but elicited re- cognition and praise for his art from the Peshwa and the >naha- kavi. He gave a new dignity and status to "tamasha" — which, till then, was regarded as cheap and vulgar, and the monopoly of the alleged "lower" classes. Towards the evening of his life, however, Ram Joshi not only gave up his profligate ways but (what 40 May, 1948 FILM INDIA was not so commendable) also his "tamasha" career, and took to bhajan-singing instead, returning home to his long-forgotten wife, like a minor saint. This convenient popular legend has been a godsend to Shantaram who has thereby been enabled to make his peace with God, orthodoxy and the con- servatives in the last reel, after a consistently progressive trend throughout nine-tenth of the picture. Shantaram has a flair for progressive themes — but de- pend upon him never to let go of box-office which happens to be conservative! DIRECTORIAL BRILLIANCE A story set against the unsophi- sticated background of rural Maharashtra does not give much scope for any self-conscious and deliberate exhibition of technical virtuosity. The directorial style adopted by Shantaram in "Ram Joshi" is simple and straight- forward. Presumably, with an eye for economy, he has even eschewed unnecessary lavishness of sets or costumes, or mass scenes, which normally constitute "production value" in a picture. And yet that old directorial brilliance is very much in evidence throughout. The camera treatment of "tamasha" scenes is really superb — a rare example of angles, compositions, movement and cutting of shots, perfectly harmonized with the lilt of the music. The musical contest between Ram and Baya, the de- velopment of love between the two, the earlier scene where Ram defies the orthodoxy by staging a "tamasha" at the very doorstep of the temple, the montage of "tamasha" scenes. — in all these, Shantaram is at his best. Where he lamentably fails is the fantasy scene of the "tamasha" in the court of the Peshwas dissolving into a crude and banal krishna- propi'e dance which to make matters artistically worse, has been tinted in gaudy colours! Shantaram has also failed to give the second half of the picture the pace and rhythm of the first half, so that the picture tends to drag towards the end, and only those who are spiritually inclined have any interest in the final con- version of the inspired "bhaand" into a routine o/iajan-singer. NEW LIFE FOR HANSA Hansa who was never known either for good looks or good acting acquires new grace, charm and vivacity under Shantaram's expert eye. One can hardly reco- gnise the plain and unimpressive Hansa of a dozen earlier pictures in the vivacious and attractive Rayabai of this film- The same sort of transformation has been worked upon Manmohan Krishan, the eyesore of "Andhon Ki Du- niya", wrho is hardly recognizable in the garb of Ram Joshi- Both his personality and his singing provide a pleasant surprise. "Ram Joshi" is one of the few pictures which are both good and popular. A hit at the box-office, it has also redeemed Shantaram's reputation o.s director and pro- ducer. ONE FRIEND'S JEST WAS ANOTHER'S LUCK J ★ Romantic Social PIYA GHAR AJA Starring MEENA KUMARI * KARAN DIWAN with AGA JAN, USHA, S. N. TRIPATHI, ROOPA t^Ltected by: PRAHLAD DUTT ISoir showing at CENTRAL A Western India Theatres Ltd- Release 4! 5. KAIDOO - WHOSE FROYUNY EYE-BROWS ALWAYS FOLDED TO BRING SOME DESTINY TO RUINS FOR TRUE LOVERS. 6. HEER & KAIDOO - HEER WAS SCOLDED BY KAIDOO, BUT ALL IN VAIN. SHE HAD A BETTER PROBLEM TO SOLVE. 7. KAIDOO & HGER'S ■ WHEN SITUATION COUL:«l BE HANDEED ALL ALONljB WHISPERED IT TO HER W 11. MITHI BUT HIS OWN WIFE MITHI WAS THE GREATEST HORROR TO - HIMSELF. 12. SAIDA POOR HEER WAS MARRIED TO SAIDA - THOUGH AGAINST HER WISHES. 13. SEHTI SAIDA'S ONLY SISTER Am HEER ' S 'NAND', WHOM Cfl LINKED WITH MURAD. ■ Particulars PUNJAB FILM C Oft » FATHER - FAITH AND WERE HIS CHIEF QUALITIES 9. N STOOP S DOWN TO ALMIGHTY. HEER 4 RANJHA THEY MISSED NO EVENING & NEGLECTED NO SENTIMENTS. 10. AAROO - THE R I GHT -HAND-MAN OP KAIDOO - WHO SPITTED OUT ALL SORTS Or UN- DEMANDED ENQUIRIES MURAL HIS REMARKABLE SHADOW IMPRESS YOU, THE - :n only can tell. 15. HEER A RANJHA - BUT LOVE 16. WA L SAH EB ALWAYS SCORES AT THE END. THE TALE I S RE-TOL J BY NATURE- PLANNED THAT THEY SHOULD THE MASTER-PEN OF MH. *Al I REMAIN SAILING TOGETHER. ON BOMBAY 28 * RATNAMALA * ★ JAWAHAR * ★ NIRMAL KUMAR* * SHANTI MADHOK * VIJAY MOHAN GUPTA N.HAGESURAO laxi :- 5URESH PICTURES 521 V.J.PAIEUt BOM BAT OUR REVIEW I "Mirza Sahiban" Makes Good 1 Impression ! Trilok Kapoor Improves In Acting Folk-lore and legend have a peculiar cha-rm of their own when •presented on the screen for the ■simple reason that even the most ■illiterate among the audience know ■the story of the film and find it not only easy but also entertain- ling to follow. The pity, however, is that a good jniany folk-tales are distorted in ■their screening because the story ■writer, or the director or the pro- ducer, each of whom thinks him- I self to be the world's wisest man believes that the principal events in the story should not have hap- pened as they are recorded but ought to have been otherwise so as to suit his own taste and fancy, and he chanties them accordingly lor adds some thing which is not Ithere in the original story. This lis particularly the case with Guja- Irati pictures produced from the ■folk-lore and legend of Kathiawar ■where the trio consisting of the Istory writer, director and produ- Icer takes a peculiar delight in [I misrepresent ing the most roman- tic tales and in doing so often brings down the characters of the stories (who are usually idolised by the people as supermen) to its own common level of the ordinary modern people. This has, fortu- nately, not happened to the popu- lar folk-tale of Mirza Sahiban with which practically every Pun- jabi is familiar and which is pre- served in Punjabi folk literature, as one of the most romantic love tales, conveyed from generation to generation by word of mouth, and later transcribed both in prose and verse and translated in many provincial languages of India. THE STORY Mirza is a fatherless urchin, a spoilt child of a widowed mother, who has! acquired proficiency in archery and tries his art every- where in the small village, often to the great annoyance of the village folk. Tired and vexed by the boy's unruly behaviour and the villagers' many complaint-; against him, the mother agrees to the proposal of her brother to re- MIRZA SAHIBAN Producers: Madhukar Pic- tures Language: Hindustani Dialogue & Songs: Qamar Jalalabadi & Aziz Kashmiri Music: Pt. Amarnath Photography: M. R. Naval- kar Audiography: Arora Cast: Noorjehan, Trilok Kapoor, Gulab, Gope, Baby Anr.vari etc. Released At: Excelsior, Bom- bay Date of Release: 19th March 1948 Directed By K. AMARNATH move Mirza to Ids own village where he wants him to be school- ed, educated and become a use- ful member of the family and so- ciety. Mirza. leaving his little sister and mother accompanies his uncle to the letter's village and is being sent to the village primary school. Here he makes friends with Sahiban. his uncle's daughter and his classmate. The two children soon develop finer feelings for each other which, as they mature into youths, culminates in love. While Mirza's uncle and Sahi- ban's father would very much like the alliance between the two cou- sins, his wife and son are opposed to it as Sahiban's mother has al- ready planned to have her married to Fumnian. her own sister's son who is a veritable idiot and a coward. He is sensible enough to one thing, however, — the growing fondness between Mirza and Sa- hiban.—and is watchful of all their movements which he reports to Sahiban's mother and brother — Shamir. A stage ultimately comes when Mirza's uncle is compelled to drive him out of his house. Mirza leaves the uncle's house but is not prepared to leave the village and makes his abode in a secluded place in a nearby jungle where Sahiban comes se- cretly, night after night, and the two lovers meet under moonlight and starlight and sublimate their love like Sohini and Mahiwal and the other pairs of lovers in many Quaint! IsnH it? But that is how Shanta Apte prefers to dress Baby Nanda in Bhoomraddi Productions- forthcoming social, 'Mandir", direct- ed by the late Winayak. 45 f\ SOCI/IL PICTURE WITH f\ PURPOSE F I PDA US ART PRODUCTION! • uftoa • fauidjrttifl • jjo1l(3oflWt For Territorial Rights Apply to: THE SCREENS Shanti Sadan, French Bridge, BOMBAY 7. Tel: 'SCREENSHOW SHANTI Featuring : VIJAYALAXMI LATIKA SUNALINI DEVI PRATIM A DEVI AFZAL JEEVAN Direction: S. U. SUNNY Of Natak Fame Produced At KARDAR STUDIOS Phone: 46241. LIGHT HOUSE PRODUCTIONS' NEKE>IL> A Powerful Picture — With a Powerful Theme: Featuring : AMRITI, PRAN, BEGUM PARVEEN, ZUBEIDA, BHAG SINGH, SALIM RAZA, NAZAR, DURGA MOTA. Produced At PANCHOL1 STUDIOS. for Territorial rights, apply to : RAJSHRI PICTURES LTD., Shanti Sadan, French Bridge, Bombay-7 " LTGHT OF THE WORLD BAPU' "VISWADEEP BAPU" (IN HINDI) 'HI llll 01 IUM1THA UKMI THIUCHTOFTHf WORLD BAPU A short film depicting the life of MAHATMA dANDHI ★ * * -: FEATURES :- fa Map of India with Bharat Mafci - the Himalayas - the Sacred Rivers -The pilgrim places - The Great figures of India - Sri Ram, Sri Krishna, & Lord Buddha. fa Scenes of Porbunder, BAPU's Birth Place, Sabar- mati Ashram, Dandee March, Sewagram. fa Sessions of the Congress showing BAPU in deli- beration with the other Leaders. fa Round Table Conference. fa 1942 Quit India Movement. Sir Agakhan's Palace and Samadhi of Kasturba and Sri Mahadeo Desai. fa Sir Stafford Cripps Mission. fa Independence Day Celebrations. •fa BAPU's trip to Noakhali, Bihar and his last fast. fa Birla House, the funeral and ashes immersion scenes. fa The eternal flamethat kindles millions of flames. -with MANY HEART MOVING SONGS & COMMENTARY. For particulars: THE SCREENS, Shanti Sadan, French Bridge, BOMBAY-7 May, 1948 FILMINDIA A scene from Hindustan Kalamandir's maiden production "Azadi ki Rah Par". other folk tales of that type. This fact having come to the knowledge of Sahiban's mother and Shamir, the latter determines to kill Mirza, but Sahiban's father succeeds in persuading Mirza, to leave the village and save Sahiban from the disgrace which her secret meetings with Mirza are causing her. Mirza agrees and leaves the town. Mirza 's sister's marriage is about to take place and being in- formed of it he goes back home to take part therein. Meanwhile, in spite of her protests and oppo- sition Sahiban's marriage is fixed up with Fumman. Through a girl friend of Sahiban, Mirza gcta information of this, and leaving the sister waiting to be carried to the wedding for which her bride- groom is about to arrive, he rides on his steed, in true cavalier fash- ion, and goes to Sahiban's village and house, to pick her up and carry her away just in time to prevent her being married to Fum- maji. A chase follows, led by Sha- mir, Sahiban's brother, but Mirza succeeds in escaping his followers by killing with his arrows many of them and when ultimately he is about to discharge an arrow at Shamir, Sahiban intervenes and breaks Mirza 's only weapon of defence, his bow, with the result that Mirza is overpowered and killed by Shamir; and Sahiban puts an end to her own life by plunging the dagger which killed Mirza in her own chest. With a good scenario, the story is convincingly told, and has a few good songs, but the very noisy music becomes often jarring to the ears, and robs the songs of much of their charm. Moreover, the rural atmosphere has been over-glamourised, so that one misses the rustic realism which one associates with village life. PERFORMANCE Both Luxman as the child Mirza and Trilok Kapoor as the young Mirza give good perfor- mance, and the latter shows some remarkable improvement ort -his previous acting: — But Xurjehan as Sahiban is hardly convincing. One cannot imagine a love-bitten maiden to be so fat. She is a good actress and has an expressive face but with her present bulk she cannot play a maiden's role, and it seems she is selected only for the sake of her undoubtedly golden voice. It is high time Xurjehan was trans- ferred to the play-back depart- ment, as her voice is a definite asset. There is nothing much to say about the performance of the artistes who play Shamir and Mirza's father while Gope dis- plays his usual buffoonery, and Gulab as Sahiban's mother is quite entertaining in her usual manner. Some of the settings depicting the village surroundings and the fair are quite good. The scene wherein Mirza's steed returns home alone without its rider and with Mirza's broken arch is really touching. The picture is worth a visit and likely to fetch handsome box office collections. /QUflUTY nuon AMERICA'S EXCLUSIVE COSMETICS Rose Cold Cream Violet Protection Cream Cleansing Cream Night Cream Complexion Cream Special Formula Cream Cream Rouge Nail Polish Eath Salts Bath Oil Hair Lotion Liquid Shampoo Manicure Sets Ce Luxe Facial Sets White Moire Sets Petal of Beauty Sets Blossom Beauty Powder Fair Lady Perfumes Lip-stick Toilet Waters Eye-Shadows Eyebrcw Pencils Liquid Brilliantine STOCKISTS : Evans Fraser & Co. (India) Ltd . Fort. Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co Fort. Philips & Co . Museum. Grand Bazar. ..Colaba. Perry & Co.. Grant Road. Hardinge & Co.. Charm Rd. Junction. Dick Joyce & Co.. Gowalia Tank. 47 Woman FLOWERS & THORNS the Heart 1 1 Story, Screenplay d- Dialogue :- INDER RAJ VISH WAMITTER ADIL tvgraf ■ BAL DHAVALE Saund: BAL CHAVAN M^DHUKAR THAKUR \ Starring : - LALITA PAWAR SALVI & SAROJ BORKAR -- MOHAN SAIGAL MASTER RATTAN - SHALINI Director: ACHYUT RANADE SOW READY FOR RELEASE Apply for Booking — NAVAYUG CHITRAPAT LTD., Shtolrtet POONA 2 'Dr. Safdar 'Ah' )UR REVIEW ' 1857" Is Waste Of Precious Celluloid! Deceptive Title Does Not Help Exhibition \bsnrd Story And Poor Performance Make Boring Stuff A well known English scientist :as written a book on Snakes- In hat book there is a chapter cap- ioned "Snakes In Iceland". The [hapter consists of but one line, lamely, "There are no snakes in Iceland!" It can be likewise said of Mu- ari Pictures' latest release: There Is no Sepoy Mutiny, much less he first war of Indian independ- nce, in the picture "1857"'. | It is really a mystery why this [icture is given the misleading ptle "1857". One can as well pro- Luce a picture called "Mahatma landhi" and justify its title by mowing therein at some place a •carded Sadhu who is often known by the name of 'Mahatma' p Indian villages and, at another lace, a green grocer dealing in pdigenous drugs who is known by pe name of "Gandhi" in many rovinccs of India. One can never |e sure of these producers and liere are several like Mohan Sin- a capable of such a trick. I The only justification that can [e found, by a stretch of imagi- 1857 Producers: Murari Pictures Language: Hindustani Story: M. Zahur Screenplay &, Dialogue Songs: Anjum Pilibhiti Photography: V. N. Reddy Audiography: N. S. Nair Cast: Surendra, Wasti, Ma- dan Puri, Suraiya, Menka, Laxmi etc. Released At: Lamington, Bombay. Date of Release: 19th March 1948 Directed By MOHAN SINHA tecruit "Magraj of 859 A'2 Gagan lahal Road, Hyderabad (Dn.) is 8, 5'-8", an Inter-arts student and peaks fluent Urdu. nation, for this dignified title to a worthless love story is that in the picture there is a Nawab's wife who looks about 18 and her husband, the Nawab who looks nearly 57. No one should be led to believe, therefore, that the picture has anything to do with one of the most glorious mile- stones in the history of India, namely the great rebellion of 1857- True, there arc a few scenes in the beginning of the picture which deal with some of the incidents supposed to have taken place in connection with the mutiny. There are a few scenes at the end of the picture also dealing with incidents of the mutiny wherein Hahadurshah "Zafar", the last of the Moghul Emperors of India and Laxmibai, the Maharani of Jhansi, are also shown. But these scenes are merely haphazard bat- tle scenes wherein the spectator understands nothing. Soldiers arc shown running about and killing one another; cavaliers run some- where and fight with one another; guns are being fired, swords are crossed, but as all the scenes are mere libraj-y shots picked up from some old pictures, no one under- stands who is actually fighting whom, who is killed and why and what is all the fuss about- That is all about 1857 in the picture. The rest is a mere love story of the oldest pattern that has been specialised by all Indian film pro- ducers. THE STORY Xawab Khurshid Mirza of Rehmatpur, a small jagir in some imaginary Indian Province be- comes the victim of the aggression of the unruly soldiers of the East India Company and is driven away from his estate. His only daughter escapes and the Xawab himself, blinded by the smoke of the enemy's guns, escapes with his trusted lieutenant Jawahar Singh- Tasnim, the young daughter of Xawab Khurshid Mirza, finds her way to Delhi where she is con- fronted by Aslam, only son of Xawab Agha Shaukat, a Delhi aristocrat, and landlord and a Lalita Pawar is wondering if her purse has enough money for her shopping in Navyug Chitrapat's production ' Phool aur Kante". 49 i WRITTEN « DIRECTED. PRODUCED ANTOSHI 90 SULOCHANA CHATTERJEE * BALWANT SINGH RADHAKISHAN and MUMTAZALI W I T H Miss MONA * JAWAHAR KAUL * DULARI * SATYARANI ★ TIWARI * NARMADA SHANKAR * KARADKAR * RAMSINGH * SAJJAN * MADAN SINGH * NIRJAN * Miss NEELUM * BABARAJA PARTICULARS : NORTHERN CIRCUIT (UIT&ALAYA LIMITED INDIAN UNION MOTS 25, Victoria Building, Parsee Bazar Street, Fort, BOMBAY. Chandni Chowk, DELHI. May, 1948 FILMINDI A i loyal parasite of the East India Company. Moved by pity for a refugee, Aslam takes Tasnhn nome with him where she is in- troduced to Aslam's mother, (who, by the way, looks several years younger than her son) who gives her shelter in her house and be- gins to treat her like her child though Tasnim works in the house as a mere menial. Love develops between Aslam and Tasnim in the usual cinema- tographic code of love, and the picture then takes us to their secret meetings and songs and duets and dreams and all that we have seen in a thousand other pi- ctures • But when it comes to the question of marriage, naturally, obstacles must come in. Aslam's father, an aristocrat and a Nawab at that, would not agree to his son marrying a mere maid-servant. As the son lias the courage to de- clare his determination to marry his chosen one and none else, the [maid-servant is first driven out from the house and then the son- The blinded Nawab Khurshid Mirza, roaming in search of some refuge arrives in Delhi and as it ;]better suits the purpose of tho [story, finds shelter in the hut of [Nawab Agha Shaukat's gardener ( known by the romantic name of iDileep. Driven out by her master, Tas- jnim ultimately goes to her blind I father and in due time Aslam also I arrives there. It is then revealed I that Tasnim was no mere menial i but a Nawab's daughter. But I still, Nawab Agha Shaukat would I not agree to the match since; | Nawab Khurshid Mirza was a re- ■ bel and an enemy of the Company and subsequently a pauper. But since Aslam is determined to marry Tasnim, news of the Sepoy Mutiny having broken out reaches them all. A few battle scenes then follow and some nota- ble episodes of the great fight are narrated by a verbal commentary. The mutiny leaves Nawab Agha Shaukat a pauper. He then re- grets his former stiff attitude and goes to Nawab Khurshid Mirza to ask his daughter's hand for Aslam. The latter agrees and the picture ends with Aslam and Tas- nim being shown decked in bridal robes and heavy flower veils PRODUCTION VALUE The picture is a sheer waste of so much precious celluloid. There is nothing in it, not even one scene, one song, one little shot thac would deserve any mention as noteworthy. Aslam is played by Surendra who looks anything but a Nawab's son of 18o7 with his beardless face and Douglas Fairbanks moustache- Mohan Sinha, ap- parently, has no regard for his- tory, for he does not seem to know that the Muslim aristocrats of those days never shaved their beards and moustache, as he has also shown Nawab Agha Shaukat without a beard. He neither knows that maid-servants in Nawab's households in those days had no access to the Nawabs and love affairs of the kind that is shown in the picture were un- known to the aristocracy of 1857 when Nawabzadas had absolutely no freedom to choose their life- mates although they could have as many concubines as they liked. Tasnim is played by Suraiya. who gives a few songs and the most unconvincing performance as a Nawab's daughter. Menka who plays Aslam's mother looks very much his junior for Surendra as Aslam with his tall and bulky person cannot be mistaken a^ a youthful boy by even the most in- discriminating spectator- Agha Shaukat is played by Wasii who does not impress, nor does Shakir in any way deserve any mention for his performance as Khurshid Mirza. The other characters have little to do with the picture. One thing, however, must be said to the credit of the director that he has given a very good make-up to Ganju in the role of Bahadur Shah and made him re- semble the Great Moghul as wc see him in his pictures to a re- markable degree. Very poor photography and faulty sound recording which makes you miss some of the really good dialogue add to the poverty of the picture all round- Thus "1857" becomes an absurd picture based on an impossible story and boring throughout. From the fact that during the last week of its short run in the city more than half the house used to be empty and the balcony seats were filled mostly with wives and cousins of the theatre staff, it is safe to conclude that the picture has no box-office value and would be a hopeless proposition for both its distributors and exhibitors. rises above 102 your hair is among the first to suffer then. Whatever your malady, whether measles or in- fluenza, typhoid or pneumonia, the bouts of high fever are invariably followed by diffused hair-fall. How- ever brief the rise in temperature the hair fall is certain, and if not treated the shedding is likely to continue. Don't invite risks but save and rescue hair now with Kesavardhini. If illness has halved or quartered the length of your hair, let Kesavar- dhini make it whole and abundant. If eventually KESAVARBHBNa WHY NOT NOW ? Kesavardhini ... ... ... As. 14 Kesavardhini Shampoo ... ... As. 14 Postage and packing extra From most dealers or direct from SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS COIMBATORE 51 Now smashing box-office records at BANGALORE & MADRAS since 21st April 1948 The Year's greatest comedy sensation KHIDKI awaits release at other stations watch details Written, produced and directed by SANTOSHI who spices sense with nonsense and nonsense with sense starring R E H A N A with V. H Desai if Leela Mishra ic Mumtazali if Jawahar Kaul * Radhakishen ir Tiwari if Ramsingh ic Mona Shanta Kunwar it Neelum ic Baba Raja it Raj Adib tfcr W. A. Khan ic Haroon * Shreenath if Abbas Rizvi ic Kamalrani ir Chandramukhi ic Indira * Ghosh * Chanchal Kumari ir Pramode ^r; Usha it Zohara Begum ir Deshraj if Tiwari (Jr.) ic Kalpana * and a HUNDRED others ! Musici Photography C. RAMCHANDRA CHANDU Particulars : Arvind & Anand 361, VITHALBHAI PATEL ROAD, BOMBAY 4. Territorial rights for C P. & C. /..- KALYAN PICTURES LTD., AMRAOTI. South :■ L. S. IYER, 185, Gandhinagar, BANGALORE. Delhi, U. P. and E. P/iujab, Jammu & Kashmir:* JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS, Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Bengal :- AMBIKA FILM EXCHANGE, 54, Bentinck Street, CALCUTTA. Pakistan & Orerseas: DIAMOND PICTURES LTD., Sandhurst Road, BOMBAY. OUR REVIEW K. B. LaPs "Samrat Ashok" Is Mockery Of History Gorgeous And Spectacular Film Caricatures Indian History's Greatest Emperor Miss Thapar (one hopes she is real and not like the fictitious Miss Kamal B.A.. who wrote film-songs in the style of Pra- deepl who is supposed to have written the story of Bombay Cinetone*s "mighty " historical film, "'Samrat Ashok , obviously could not have delved deep in the mass of historical material relevant to the life, character and achievements of Indian history's greatest emperor. The original re- search that has gone into this story is practically nil. But, the worthy lady, if she had ambitions to write a story on the life of Emperor Ashok, could at least have read the four pages that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru devotes to "Ashoka, The Beloved of the Gods" in his monumental and world-famous book Glimpses of World History. ASHOKA OF HISTORY This is, among other things, what she would have rend and learnt about that noble monarch: " A man who, in spite of be- ing a king and emperor, was great and worthy of admiration . . . .Ashoka succeeded Bindu- sara in 268 B.C. to a great em- pire, which included the whole of North and Central India and extended right-up to Cen- tral Asia. With the desire, per- haps, of bringing into his em- pire the remaining parts in the South-East and South, he started the conquest of Kalinga in the ninth year of his reign ....The people of Kalinga fought bravely, but they were ultimately subdued after terri- ble slaughter. This war and slaughter affected Ashoka so deeply that he was disgu-n and bears no relation to history ■ fact! The sets, made in Prabhat, are tvish and spectacularly solid, but. gain, the architectural accuracy missing. The technique is gene- illy good — though the photo- •aphy of such an ambitious <\u>- >ct could, and should, have been lore imaginative. The songs are othing to write home about — lough one or two do have cer- iin appeal. While as a producer — the man ^sponsible for selecting the story nd treatment — K. B. Lai deserves o plaudits, as a director his re- ord is not so bad. He has shown ome imagination and enterprise in landling the melodramatic situ- tions and mass scenes. With more arcful selection of story and pre- paration of script. K B. La] may ret vindicate his claim to be a Distinctive director with a flair for he spectacular and the original. THAT VEEN A LOOK! As regards the performances, Sbarnim's work is the only toler- ibly bright patch. She has nerve md vivacity which could have )een better exploited. Ullhas qua- lifies for the heavy-weight class. He may have given a good per- formance but under the layers of flesh one could not sec any trace of expression. Shnkir hasn't got the dignity and restraint for the role of a high priest. Sapru the Great, despite his cat's eyes, is no C'handramohan and not all his posturings can give him the look of a manly, strong- hearted warrior. He has neither the hypnotic, dramatic power of Ghandramohan's Yashodharman (]Yahan\ nor the kingly manli- ness of Prithviraj's Sikandar. Veena? What can one say about Veena — who is not an artiste but a personality, not an actress but a phenomenon. This expressionless alabaster statue of feminine grace and beauty has never been accus- ed of acting. And yet, in whatever picture she has appeared — even in such indifferent items as Rajputani and Pehli Xazar — the impress of her personality has been left on the minds and hearts of the picturegoer. As the Bhik- shuki — the alleged heart-ache of Ashoka — she has grace and digni- ty, and invests even non-violence with strength and dynamism. She does not act — perhaps she cannot act. She only looks. For Veena that is sufficient. All in all, "Samrat Ashok'' is a costly essay in filmic futility. Which does not mean it will not be popular. It may even be a hit, but that won't be a tribute to the genius of K. B. Lai, but the ge- nius of our picturegoers to swal- low glamourous and spectacular tinsel. BETTER FOR STUDIOS M.R.414 SENIOR Equipped with Mcle-Richardscn Light- ing units, your studio can depend on quality turnout every time you make a picture. Along side is M. R. 414 Senior Solar-spot 5CG0-Watt lamp, the largest in the Mole-Richardson series and is particu- larly adapted to back-lighting. Below is the Midget M-R 404, a small lamp with a definite place in the illumination system. M-R 21 is Single Side Lamp for soft, dif- fused lighting. FAZALBHOY LIMITED,; Studio CjKotim PttiuW Sbuttd tfrvjiwm \ Cameras- Projectors, 16, fslew Queen's Road, Bombay. Offices at : Calcutta, Karachi. Madras, Lahore, New Delhi. I Developing and Printing machines and other studio accessories. 55 BHOOMRRODI PRODUCTIONS GttC (Ot SHANTA APTE (Courtesy: S. A. Concern SKAHU MODAK * SALVI * LATA BABY NANDA * JAYMALA * VIJAYA SAMSON * JANKIDAS and WINAY.fi TPizecte! by: WINAYAK and Dinker D. Patil V. S. Khandekar Muiic : Vasant Desai Next Attraction At SWASTI TALKIES-BOMBA' % ill It's the MOST TIMELY Picture of the Season inculcating BAPUJI'S TEACHINGS. BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS 8, Nicadvari Lane, Girgaum BOMBAY 4. HJR REVIEW "Tohfa" Fails To Click Good Cast Wasted On Insipid Story Seth Brothers' "Tohfa" proves Lat Agha Jani Kashmiri is bet- pr as a screen playwright and ialogue-writer than as a director, [[is first directorial venture is pt a patch on his earlier writ- pg triumphs like '"Najma". "Tohfa" is the story of the histaken love of a simple maiden [ho fell in love with the disciple |f her Ustad-father and invited heart-break by allowing the louthful ignoramus to take her bve for granted as sisterly devo- pn and himself fall headlong in >ve with a city butterfly who is inally offered as the long-promi- ■d present (Tohfa) by the "bro- her" to his "sister". Though in no way novel or irposeful, the story had some ramatic material and emotional ghlights to be an absorbing mo- on picture but somehow the liter-director has nut been able utilize his opportunities to the 11 which included a splendid TOHFA Producers: Seth Brothers Language: Hindustani Story: Agha jani Kashmiri Songs: Allama Arzoo Photography: Minoo Billi- moria Audiography : Dinshaw Billimoria Cast: Nawab, Veera, Anura- dha, Rehman, Misra, Basant Malini, etc. Released At: Imperial Cinema, Bombay. Date of Release: 19th March 1948. Directed By AGHAJANI KASHMIRI cast comprising of the veteran Nawab, Shah Nawaz, Veera, Anu- lunavar Sultana and Leela Kumari sharing each other's sorrow in uper Team Federal Productions' maiden social ' Meri Kahani" direct- ed and photographed by Keki Mistry. Recruit Kishan Sharma of 8 1 Russa Road, Calcutta, is studying for M.A. and B.L :, is 23, 5'-8?.'\ an amateur stage actor and speaks Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and, of course, English. radha and Rehman. The first two mentioned are practically wasted for want of proper development of the subject. IMPOSSIBLE DREAM! In parts, Agha Jani's dialogue and ideas are no doubt superb and couched in rich Urdu and while the climax is comparatively gripping, it affords little saving grace to the earlier sequences which are rather dull and drag- ging- There is nothing mention- able about photography and re- cording. It is surprising that such an ex- perienced writer as Agha Jani ap- pears to have forgotten his other- wise plausible hold over the screenplay as most of the situa- tions and episodes in the film turn out to be too commonplace and stereotyped for the film-goers to rave about. Though a few songs are quite well-composed and pleasing to the ear, they fail to be popular probably because of borrowed tunes and indifferent play-back singers. "Tohfa" is a clear example of the extent to which the new writ- er-directors must be careful in taking up new responsibilities, and the pit-falls that await them if they are not! AT HOME AND ABROAD FREEDOM TO STOP NONSENSE" Geneva, March 25. A call for action by the world press, films and radio to stop the spread of "an hysterical, gloomy picture of a coming third world wer" was made by delegates at the opening here today of the United Nations conference on Freedom of Information and the Press. U. N FILM WINS "OSCAR" New Delhi, March 29- The United Nations' Film "First Steps" has been awarded an "Os- car" by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for "distinctive achievement in short documentary production." The award, mr.de in Hollywood, Cali- fornia, on the evening of March 20, was accepted for the United Nations Films and Visual Infor- mation Division. The award itself, known in the American film parlance as an "Oscar" is in the form of a scrip and a small statute- These awards, made by the Academy for the year's best work in every branch of the motion picture field, repre- sent the highest film honour in the United States. "First Steps", a 16mm. one reel documentary, shows the rehabili- tation of physically handicapped children suffering from cerebral palsy and spastic paralysis. The film was produced for the social Affairs Department of the United Nations under the supervision of the film branch of the United Na- tions Department of Public In- formation. UNPRECEDENTED Hollywood, March 19. At the 16th annual poll of the I Motion Picture Exhibitors, Bin? Crosby, the Paramount star top- Iped the annual Motion Pictme Herald Fame Poll of exhibitors in ! the United States of America for the fourth year in succession. Bing Crosby is the only male artiste who has held No. 1 rank four times which indicates a po- pularity never previously demon- strated by an adult player. Besides New York honours. Bing Crosby was also first in the British International Poll, replac- ing the British favourite, James Mason and tops also in the Cana- dian vote. ANOTHER GANDHIJI FILM Bombay. April 4. One of the several films relating to the life of Mahatma Gandhi to be produced is the one entitled "Vishwadcep" or "Light of the "World". It is a three reel docu- mentary produced by The Screens, a distributing concern of Bombay. The film shows a few principal events of the life of Gandhiji like his trip to England for studies, his work in Africa and Saoarmati Ashram and the Dandce March, as also the 1942 '•Quit India" Movement, the Cripps mission, the 15th August 1947, Noakhali, Bihar and Delhi trips and his last fast and assassination. GROOMING ANOTHER DOG "STAR" Hollywood, March 25- The familiar team of Roy Ro- gers and Trigger may soon be- come a threesome. Just recently < luring the filming of Republic's "Under California Stars", Roy bought a nine-months-old German police dog named "Spur" who is a descendant of the famed strong heart. Using methods similar to those which worked so success- fully with Trigger, the cowboy actor has already started training Spur for an acting career. "NEK PARVIN" BANNED Madras, April 7. "Nek Parvin", a Muslim social picture, produced by Messrs. D. R. D. Wadia Pictures of Bom- bay has been declared uncertified for exhibition in the province of Madras JOINT INDO-BRITISH FILMS? London. March 25. A possibility of producing film- in Britain with Indian screen stars taking leading parts side by side with British stars was discus- sed here recently by Mr. Ezra Mir, formerly producer for the Government of India's Informa- tion Films. Mr. Mir says that the plan would involve bringing a couple of really big names of the Indian screen to Britain and send- ing film units to India for obtain- ing background shots. Ezra, Mir is urging on the film industry circles in Britain a clo- ser study of eastern film markets. It is also understood that there is a plan to send to India, shortly British documentary films with educational value for schools and colleges and such other institu- tions. These films are being dub- bed in various Indian languages. PHILIPS NEW FP SERIES Talkie Equipments FOR Life like natural sound, reproduction and snowhite rock -steady projection Contact THE CINE AGENCY (INDIA) LTD., H. O. 18, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, BOMBAY- Branch: Subhadrabai Mansions, Woods Road, Mount Road P. O., MADRAS. Agent'. The Delhi Garage Ltd., Connaught Circus, NEW DELHI. Producer RAMESH GUPTA JAYASHAKTI PRODUCTIONS have pleasure in announcing that Screen's Smartest Actress SNEHPRABHA PRADHAN plays the LEADING ROLE in their Next— INDU PAUL . UMAKANT - RAMESH SINH - KESARBAI Director SHANTI KUMAR Music RAM GANGULI Story Pt. GIRISH READY FOR RELEASE bhakta GOPAL BHAIYA Anant Harathe, Amir Karnataki, Pande, Vedprakash, Laxman & SHASHI KAPUR Director: SHANTI KUMAR it Our Coming Attraction SEETA J A N M A For Particulars apply JAYASHAKTI PICTURES, Dhutpapeshwar Building, Thakurdwar, BOMBAY 4. May, 1948 LIGHTNING STRIKE! Calcutta, April 9. ! Subsequent to the theft of a jendant fan from the local Jyoti Cinema, the electrician in charge ibf all electric fittings and repairs kvas dismissed and a few others from the staff suspended till in- vestigation. Thereupon the operat- ing staff and a few others resorted Ito strike without notice just 15 minutes before the 8-30 show on [the 7th instant, but with the help lof the operating staff lent by sis- ter cinema houses, the show ran as usual. "HORRIFIC" FILM ON INDIA! London, April 9. The American producer of a "horrific" documentary film, "In- dia Speaks", Mr. Walter Footer is in London to resume his 13-year- old battle with the censors here for permission to show it public- ly. It is Mr. Footer himself who 6ays the film is "horrific". He told Reuter, "It cost me over £50,000 to shoot the 300,000 feet of the film in India. We ispent four years travelling the length and breadth of the country and I chose the sequences of the sets on the basis of what >vas in- teresting, entertaining or horrible. Horror is good box-office. The film has been a great success in the United States but what India or the Hindus think about it I would not know". The film, explained Mr. Footer, runs for an hour and 20 minutes, the 300,000 feet having been re- duced in the editing to about 7,000. Continuity is given to the changing scenes and incidents by a commentary by the late Mr- Richard Halliburton, American explorer and writer, who was lost at sea in a Chinese junk in 1939. "When the war came", Mr. Footer said, "I dropped ray efforts to procure general release for the film. Now that peace has return- ed I am here once more to try to get permission to show the film. I have made an application to the London county council authorities and await the decision of the film censors. "The film is authentic in every way. It is India. I called it "India Speaks" because it is on the same lines as another film I made, "Africa" Speaks", which, incident- ally, cost only £10,000 to make and earned me £600,000." MADRAS STRIKE POSTPONED Madras, April 8. The South India Cinema Em- ployees' Association, at its general FILMINDI A Recruit Brij Datt Sharma of Ad- hait Buildings, Tundla, EIR Distt. Agra is 19, 5'-7", can sing and has experience of stage acting. body meeting at the Mahajan Sa- bha Hall, this morning, adopted unanimously a resolution with- drawing its notice to launch a strike from tomorrow. It was also resolved that the general body of the Association should meet after a period of one month to review the situation. Mr. T. S. Ramanujam, Presi- dent of the Association, address- ing the gathering said that he had been informed by the Labour Commissioner that the Govern- ment would take steps to imple- ment the award of the Industrial Tribunal. Messrs. K. S. Gopalkrishnan, Shripada Shankar and R. Rama- nujam asked the cinema em- ployees to stand united and to strengthen the association. BRITISH PLANNING GANDHI FILM Los Angeles, April 6. Film actor J. Carol Naish said today that he had been approach- ed by an unnamed "wealthy Bri- tish oil man" to play the part of Mahatma Gandhi in a motion picture of Gandhiji's life. Naish said the deal was still "strictly in the talking stage" and refused to disclose the name of the Britisher. Discussion started at a Hollywood party two weeks ago where he met the oil man. 61 FILM INDIA May, 1948 Recruit Hafiz Casam Patel of Ko- samba, R. S. is 25, 5'-8", can sing, has acted in amateur stage plays and speaks Hindi and Gujarati. During conversations on philo- sophic subjects the Britisher sud- denly said "You talk like Gan- dhi"' . Naish declared he was deeply interested in Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of life and said he would bear a close resemblance to Gandhiji "if I could lose about 40 lbs." The Britisher said he planned to make "a couple of pictures" with "unlimited backing". Naish said the Britisher pro- mised to investigate the rights on Gandhiji's biographies including the picture rights and report back to Naish soon. The Britisher is now said to be in New York. The actor said the Britisher was "not J. Arthur Rank" or anyone prominently identified with Eng- lish Films. "It woidd be a tremendous break to portray the life of such a man as Gandhi and I hope this thing goes through" Naish said. "Of course, it might just be one of those things that develop at Holly- wood parties, but this man seem- ed too earnest-" NOAKHALI TOUR FILM New Delhi, April 7- The documentary film of Ma- hatma Gandhi's historic pilgrim- age in Noakhali presented by Mr. Suresh Chandra Majumdar, Ma- naging Director of the Hindustan Standard, and the Andnd Bazar Patrika was shown to Pandit Neh- ru, Prime Ministerof India, at the hitter's residence tonight. The film which was taken by two staff photographers of these papers is about 1,000 feet in length, a por- tion being in technicolour. The film shows how the 78-year- old Mahatma trekked from village to village preaching the message of peace and communal harmony in riot-torn Noakhali Di-trict crossing deep rivers through pre- carious bamboo bridges, walking on foot through fields and thorny paths. It recalls to one's mind how Gandhiji set out on his noble mis- sion all alone, undaunted by the impediments and hurdles that bo- set his path. FAMOUS STAGE ACTOR DEAD Bridge Town, (Barbados), April 12 Mr. Matheson Lang, the Cana- dian-born Shakespearean actor, died here last night at the age of 68. His career, which brought him fame in Britain and the Empire, ended with an attack of pneumo- nia in 1937. He went to Barbados to recuperate but m 1941 when he visited South Africa it was re- ported that he was a confirmed invalid and that the stage had lost one of its greatest stars and one of the last of the actor-mana- gers. WHAT PRICE DEFIANCE OF LAW? Bombay, April 14. A middle-aged woman jumped from the fourth floor of a five storied building and was seriously injured and three persons received several burns when fire broke out on the first floor of Chowpatty Chambers, a, building on the Southern side of Sandhurst Bridge, yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Radhabai Shah, the injur- ed woman, died subsequently in the J. J. Hospital. A staircase of the building, which caught fire, carried the flames to the upper floors and the electric lift which was standing on the fifth floor came down cra- shing in flames. Many of the occupants of the building hurried down when the fire was first reported but 21 wo- men and children who were trap- ped by flames on the upper floors were rescued and brought to safety by officers and men of the Fire Brigade. The fire was first noticed about 1-30 p.m. and is stated to have been caused by the spontaneous combustion of cinematographic film stored in the office of Messrs. Swastik India Ltd., a firm of film distributors, on the first floor of the building. BRITAIN TO HAVE "OSCARS" London, Aprfil 10. Britain is setting up shortly an Academy of Motion Picture Arts. Its purpose is to make awards each year to films which, in the opinion of the members, is one of the highest merit. These will be of real value to those who make films in every part of the world. The Academy's members will be personalities capable of passing impartial and true judgment on all productions shown in Britain's cinemas. They will ensure that any film made anywhere shall have a chance of being given the Recruit Rasik Kumar of P. O. Box 405, Kampala (Uganda), East Africa is 22, 5'-9", educated up to Matriculation and nas theatrical experience in school dramatics. 62 May, 1948 FILM INDIA recognition it deserves on its in- I rinsic merit. The awards w ill be I jUtirely independent of box-office ■appeal. PEACE BE TO HIS SOUL Calcutta, April 2. Death took place of Robin Ba- nerjee, a promising young man of '24, Production Manager of Uma Productions, in very tragic cir- cumstances on the 1st of April. Robin fell from the overhead 'gangway of the studio of the Kali Films where he had ascended to personally adjust a canvas back- ground. While coming down, his fpot slipped over a plank, with the result that he fell with a heavy bum]) on the cement floor about 14 feet from the spot. He was im- mediately removed to the Rake Hospital in an unconscious state where he succumbed to his injur- ies caused by the fracture of skul! and cerebral haemorrhage. May his soul rest in peace! AN INSULT TO HER NOSE! New York, April 18. Glamorous film star, Hcdy La- marr is claiming £o0.000 dam- ages, because, she says, her nose has been insulted. An article in an American magazine, she declares, makes it appear that her nose has been altered by plastic surgery. The suit claims that Hedy's repu- tation for natural beauty has been damaged and that her standing with the film public and her three children too, has suffered. Her counsel says. ilIt is a positive fact that her features have been un- altered and have remained in their natural state since birth." HAMLET WITHOUT THE PRINCE Bombay, April 13- Mr. Morarji Desai, Home Mi- nister, Government of Bombay, addressing a press conference to- day on the Bombay Government's policy regarding the film industry and film censorship disclosed that during 1947-48 thirteen foreign films and three Indian films had been totally banned throughout Bombay Province, and that 86 foreign films and 74 Indian films had been censored. He added that the Bombay Government would welcome the 6etting up of an All-India Board of Films Censors and were at pre- sent in correspondence on the subject with the Union Govern- ment. Mr. Morarji further said that he had suggested to the film pro- ducers thai they consider the ad- visability of tendering scenarios in. advance to the censors for ge- neral approval. This procedure, he said, would ensure to a large ex- tent that a picture would not be International JVewly Arrived... IWC accuracy is essential in any watch — and "International" watches have always led in this respect — but to combine it with elegance of design, takes the life-long experience of skilled craftsmanship. That is why you will always be glad you chose an International Watch. Popular size man's watch fri stainless steel case. No. 7433. Ps. 282. Stylish design for all occasions in 18-carat solid gold case, with hands and figures raised in gold. No. 7697. Rs. 678. Similar model with plain dial Rs. 619. Sturdily built watch in stainless steel case. No. 7443. Rs. 300. FAVRE-LEUBA FAVRE- LEUBA & CO., LTD. (fAVRE-ttuili BOMBAY-CALCUTTA 63 FILM INDIA May, 194 Noorjehan finds a faithful friend in Roop Kamal who helps her in her real need in "Mirza Sahiban " a Famous release now running at the Lamington. banned altogether after it had been completed and was ready for exhibition. It is remarkable that at this only press conference of its kind, dealing entirely with matters re- lating to the film industry the Government did not think it ne- cessary to invite a single film journalist! INDIAN FILM IN NEW YORK Xew York, April 6. A special showing of the Indian produced movie "Ram Rajya". a Prakash production, is scheduled to be held here under the sponsor- ship of the East-West Association which is also called the India So- ciety of America-. NEW CENSORS Bombay, April 4. Dr. K. A. Hamied, Diwan Baha- dur H. L. Kazi. Mr. K. M. Mody, Mrs. Kulsum Sayani and Mrs. Audrey H. Kelloek have been ap- pointed members of the Bombay Board of Film Censors for six months from April 1st. to Septem- ber 30th. The period of appointment of the Director of Publicity, the Deputv Commissioner of Police, Prof. R. N. Wellingker, Mrs. C, K. Daftary. Mrs. G. R- Billimoria and Mrs- Zarina Currimbhoy as 64 members of the Board has been extended up to September 30. Dr. D. G. Vyas and Mr. K. G. Marathe have been reappointed as members of the Board for a further period of six months end- ing September 30. BUCK UP, TYPIST GIRLS! Hollywood. April 10. Actress Edna Holland has won an important role in a Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer picture because EDGED NEWS/ Film "MAN M A N I Bay Eman Thori Bathiya Hemanta Kun-ar & Kalyani Das. Oh Taro Ke Chand Banane Wale Kalyani Das. Eshare Eshare May Duniya Banali Hemanta Kumar. Oh Ghar Ko Chhudane Wale Bata Kalyani Das. Dhire Dhire Avo Hemanta Kumar & Kalyani Das. Sytan Ghar Na Gaiore Kalyani Das. Hans Hans Ke Geeo, Re Chorus led by Kalyani Das. Ahi Chaman Bata Kalyani Das. she knows shorthand and typi She was chosen for the role ov dozens of candidates when Dire tor Robert Z. Leonard discovere that she could take down id words per minute by shorthar] and could type 60 words p^ minute. "Now I know she w look realistic on the screen'' sa the director. Of course. Mi' Holland will play in the film fll role of a secretary. IMPPA'S "NO" TO PRE- CENSORING Bombay. April 1.5. At a special meeting held o Wednesday the 14th instant whic was very largely attended, th IMPPA rejected, by a unanimou decision the proposal to subrai scripts for pre-censorship. A sig nificant feature of the decision i the fact that Mr. Babutao Pai who among others had advocate, the proposal, also voted against i at the meeting. RELEASED UNCONDITIONALLY Bombay, March 30. Film Director Prahlad Dutt (o: Ranjit) and Special Effect-: expert Harbans Singh, both of whom were arrested on suspicion iir.me diately after the assassination ofl Mahatma Gandhi, along with many others in the city, have been honourably and uncondi-j tionally released after several weeks of detention. HOMAGE TO jOHITMj GflNDHIJI Bapu Ki Amar Kahani Part I & 2. Both by Mahd. Rafi. Raghu Pati Raghava Raja Ram Vaishnava Janato Both by M. S. Subbulaxmi. Shri Gandhiji Ke Yadmay Aj Hassu Se Sumai Both by K. C. Dey. Bapujinchi Pranjioti ( Marathi ) Nagarcha Vilyanche Manogat ( in Marathi ) Both by G. T. Watue of Poona. Jhe, Rhythm UouSn T"-— ■ Fort, Phone. 26320 Opp. ARMY & NAVY Storet, Kiljgodi. 025 {This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits, brom the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can write 10 the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. Si- Letters should be signed and marked " Woes And Echoes". f holographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor.) THE EXPLANATION! "I was delighted to read your >te in "Bombay Calling" (April ilmindia") on the choice made f the Government of India to present the Indian film induscry the Geneva Conference on the reedom of Information. "But I was not at ail surprised ith the choice. On the contrary, iprise came to me when I found at Mr. S. A. Brelvi was chosen represent the Indian Pre^o I d actually expected Seth Dal- ia instead. Does he not hold a g share in the "Times of India"? hat would not have left any >ubt in one's mind regard- g the impartiality and uniform )licy of the Government in choos- g India's representatives for iternational assemblies and con- rences. "I may assure you, however, lat the last paragraph of the Dte shall not be answered as you ish. You want "some one in the overnment of India to explain ly it had to be Chandulal Shah? o one from that quarter will er explain. No government, bow- er democratic, likes to give ex- anations for its own follies and norance. "But I can explain if you do ">t mind. It has been the tradition : the Government of India for 'fades past, to send out as re- resentatives to all such confer- ees, idiots, boobies, yes men. bobs, maharajas, parasites and le like. Have you ever, during le British regime, heard of a real copies representative being de- uted to any of the thousand and e conferences that were held in urope and America? "The popular Government is a specter of traditions. Surely, the ritishers had some method of dministration and we have so mch yet to learn from them. If ie popular government were to epute representatives on merits one, would it not shock the re- presentatives of other nations who ave for many years been accus- tomed to see India represented by the other variety always? '"And the popular Government would never like to see India's prestige lowered in the eyes of foreigners in this way. It must, therefore, maintain the traditions of its predecessor government. "There is yet another reason for Chandulal's choice. He is the one man in the entire film industry who knows the least about information films and as such the best qualified man to speak on the subject. This is also in keeping with the traditions of the Indian film industry where- in persons with little or no know- ledge of the art or technique of film production are generally con- sidered magnates and leaders of the industry by the Governments — Central as well as Provincial- "And then, in any case it had to be a Gujarati for various rea- sons. Our Home Minister who calls himself a staunch enemy of communalism, hates making any such choice on communal basi- and he therefore had to make a choice from his own community so that no one could blame him of being partial to a Maharastrian or a Bengali, or a South Indian or a Punjabi. "It is quite probable that had Chandulal Shah rejected the offer on account of some unRUT- mountable difficulty, the choice may have as well fallen on either Vishnukumar Vyas or P. B. Zaveri, to say nothing of story writer Mohanlal Dave, all of whom are experts on information films which give us so much in- formation on the subject of which kind of films we do not want. But thanks to Seth Chandulal's ever enterprising and obliging nature, the Government succeeded in put- ting up at the conference the fit- test man on the old lines of the British bureaucracy and show to the world thereby that the Indian film industry at any rate is & till the monopoly of odd jobbers and market manipulators even in a Free India"! BOMBAY. Dilip R. Thakkar. Geeta Bali and Bharat Bhushan make a romantic pair of lovers in Oriental Pictures' "Sohag Raat", a Varma Films release 65 PitMlNDt A May, 1$ Even illness has its own bliss as felt by Rahman in Jagat Pictures' maiden social "Veena". SHOWING INDIA TO THE WORLD! "Here, in Abadan, there is a, Cinema (managed by A.I.O.C.) where the British Movietone News is a regular side feature. Now and then it used to contain news pic- tures from India- And what sort of news pictures! The common sights were the roadside kabab vendors, barbers and massage- wallahs of Bombay and Delhi, the beggars, the slums and the filth. There were the horror pic- tures of the trek of the Punjab evacuees with the dead bodies strewn about. Then there were the glittering Durbars of Jaipur and Bikaner with the dignified presence of the Mountbattens, the investitures, the shikars and parades. The commentator was lavish in his praise of the pot- bellied princely dignitaries. What a picture of the new democracy of Free India! In between they used to show little glimpses of such events as the Simla Confer- once, Pandit Nehru's Kashmir visit, Mahatmaji's Fast, etc. These worthy items were shown for a few seconds only. Pre- eminence was always given to the dirty side. "Well, nothing that we have seen so far did excel in its ma- lignancy the news pictures shown here of a religious festival of the 66 Ganges at Allahabad. There were scores of dirty pilgrims, men, women and children with a sprink- ling of the inevitable Sadhus, all wading through the water and performing their delicate ablu- tions and toilets in the holy (?) water- Then came on the shore a stupendous procession of stark- naked Sadhus with full display of their anatomy and mingled with the multitude- The sights were extremely revolting and drew uproarious laughter and ridicule from the Iranian audience and from the White Sahibs (how well mannered they are!) faint con- temptuous smile. We Indians were benumbed with shame and held our heads down when we came out of the theatre. In short, all that the 'Drain Inspector' once said about the Ganges and the Hindus was there faithfully reproduced to suit its authenticity. "Well, are not the Government of India aware of this mudsling- ing propaganda of the Western Film Agents and can they not effectively check this malignant activity which is carried out un- der their very nose? Do they not want Indians abroad to take pride in the glory and honour of their country? If they do, then why (his inaction?" ABADAN. K. K. Phalgunan WAKE UP, MADRAS CENSOI "The South Indian Film Pro cers are now mad after producl pictures which are based or good many legends and folkhi; These pictures are neither tea ing any lesson to the public aiming at the betterment of i social, moral and intellectual pects. Nothing except the den ralisation of our society. "In some pictures like "Bn maradham" and "Balaraju" (T lugu) the "Swargalokam" the (, minion of God Indra, is depict) nothing more than a prostitu colony. Indra is free to rape aj girl he likes. In another f "Ratnamala" (Telugu) a you beautiful 18 year-old girl married to a 16 days boy in cradle. She takes the boy ir the forests and tends like motl teaches like Guru and finally comes his wife. It appears th the producers wa,nt to take t public to deterioration for the sa of money. "The South Indian film criti have no guts to criticise ev these rotten pictures fearing th they will not get advertisemer for their magazines. Such pictun either should be entirely bann< or the filthy stuff must be cut oi The Madras Film Censor Boa is comprised of inexperienci sleeping dry heads. ELLORE. K. V. G. Krishnara\ DUNGEONS "There are theatres here whi( are worse than the worst possib dungeon cells. They have i standard timings and are dilap dated, stinking and suffocatir and constitute a menace to pul lie health. Since there are r spittoons and sufficient urina most of the cinegoers are oblige to spit and ease themselves ne£ the walls of the hall which at besmeared with betel juice an urea and present a dreadfully ugl appearance. Urinals are neve washed with any disinfectant wit the result that they not onh pollute the atmosphere but be; come the breeding sources o deadly venereal diseases- One i apt to lose one's mental balanc in such a murky atmosphert With the owners of these conser vancy arrangements, we canno May, 1948 F ILM INDIA absolve the Government of its responsibility; it must order these 'torture chambers' to be disman- tled. Is not sanitation as neces- sary as discipline, Mr. Patel?"' Mrs. Indra Devi Pandit. KAXPUR CANTT. THEY ARE ALL PHONEY, BROTHER! "Something has been annoying me for a long lime. It is the make-up that is plastered all over stars' faces, regardless of their natural features. What bothers me most are: false eye- lashes that stick out like wires, and lipstick that goes on about an inch beyond the girls' natural mouth- I would really like to see some pictures of famous screen actresses without their immoveable eyelashes and phoney mouths." Prithi Paul Singh Chawla. SIMLA. GLORIFYING R. S. S. ? "In the last scene of "Mera Geet" of Jai Shakti Pictures the volunteers saluted the flag in the style of R. S. S. and their uniforms are just like that of R- S. S. Now the question arises that when R. S. S. has been banned, why not the said scene should be cut off from the film? "1 want to convey this thing to the censors board through your famous magazine, and have full confidence that the censors board will do the needful. We must not allow those people to propagate about their party which have destroyed the greatest asset of India. Will the censors board take steps as eajly as possible." T. P. Jhunjhunwala. KAXPUR. DON'T SEND IT ABROAD "1 agree with Baburao Patel when he says that our South In- dian standard of motion picture has not improved even though we have been one of the Pioneers in that line- But the recently re- leased Gemeni's "Chandralekha" is an exception. Produced and directed by S. S. Vasan who is a recruit in the field of direction it is by far the best picture produ- ced in the South- Its great draw- backs are its length (more than 18,000 ft ) and the story which combines both ancient and mo- dern customs- It is more or less the silly Arabian Nights stories in modern settings. The really commendable features in it are good photography and direction. When considering the huge money and time spent on producing it, the picture could have been bet- Bharat Bhu-shan appears to be perplexed while Indu Paul is enjoying his embarassment in ' Batohi", T. K. Screen Classics' maiden production: ter done; in some places the set- tings look natural and in some the cardboard shows up pitilessly. "The producer has hopes to screen the picture in America; but I wish he doesn't do anything of that sort since we already know- how the Americans receive our film especially when they come to know that it is boosted up as a "million dollar production". C V. Gopalan. KUMBAKONAM. CENSORS, WERE YOU SLEEPING? "A Gaumont British newsreel was very recently shown in the local Regal in which the produ- cers show a synopsis of the hap- penings in Kashmir and proclaim that "a section of the populace in Kashmir rebelled against Nehru Government and Pandit Nehru poured in troops to aid the Hindu minority". The film is a com- plete travesty of facts and is a sinister political propaganda cal- culated to do harm to India's ' Kashmir Case" at the U. N. O- Whatever be the motive and sour- ce of this film I am really bewild- ered at the complacent and inert attitude of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry towards such malicious foreign propaganda against our Government. To tolerate a fallacious propaganda is an unpardonable crime; it must be curbed and condemned and we fondly look forward to our be- loved leader, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to not only ban this news- reel in India but to seek explana- tion from the British Government about its origin and exhibition." CAWNPORE. Shashi Datt. CINEMA HALL OR HELL? "Being fascinated by the gla- mour of advertisement in the Filmindia the other day I went to see "Sham Savera" at the local Shirccn Talkies. The front view of the Hall has been made attrac- tive but the inside is very poor- It is a poison pot with milk in the mouth. The surroundings are dirty ajad dismal. But what brings the patrons to hell is that there is no lavatory provided for them. Being a victim to nature's call the place I had to face re- minded me of Hell and I was feel- 67 FILMINDI A Glamorous Mumtaz Shanti is starred in "Heer Ranjha", Punjab Film Corporation's forthcoming ro- mance written by Wali Saheb. ing nausea even while in the hall- If the owner of the hall is poverty- stricken why can he not keep some pigs or hungry street dogs?" POONA. H. Barter jee. THE RIGHT THING "Permit me to congratulate you for your challenging leader in "filmindia" of April 1948- You have touched the right thing at the right moment. It is no won- der if our money-crazy film pro- ducers arc recklessly planning to produce pictures on the life of Mahatmaji. We have had the bitterest experience from these money-hungry producers from their past productions of mytho- logical pictures. Let the same sorry chapter be not repeated at least this time- Let our produ- cers, be free from the lust of money at least once." BOMBAY- N. .S. Sawant. TASTE SPOILT "The filthy film producers have brought the public to such a high level of vulgarity, that first class pictures, like "Hamrahi" and the latest "Kalpana", (including thousand others) prove utter failures. One is surprised to see pictures like, "Kismet", "Mun-ki- Jeet", 'Panihari' and "Sona Chandi" doing good business at the cinema halls. 68 "Is it ours or the country's mis- fortune that such qualitative pic- tures, given by the top-most pro- ducers are not liked by the pub- lic. "Kalpana", the hit given by the greatest dancer 'Uday Shanker' was bound to vacate the halls of the Capital city after a few weeks run. "All this is due to those produ- cers who have spoiled our tastes and degraded the morale so badly. "Either such producers should May, 1948 be severely dealt with or must be debarred from producing any fur- ther picture. "It is, moreover, surprising that our own Government is not taking any steps that might relieve us from seeing idiotic pictures." GHAZIABAD. K. G. Mathur. WISHES HE HADN'T! "Only two days back I went to see "Samrat Ashok"- Now I sin- cerely wish I hadn't. BOMBAY. Ravindra Nath Wagle. Chowdhari's ARTINDI A FILMS (Rgt: TRADE MARK) Announces RAAT-RAAN AAN-BAAN heralding NEW-ENTERTAINMENT, on tne INDIAN SCREEN FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. Sandhurst Bridge, BOMBAY. iiy Eat M & T FILMS LTD. (Bombay) Backed by well-known financiers and industrial magnates Messrs. M & T Films Ltd-, arc making sound progress in all the three branches of the industry, namely, production, distribution and exhi- bition. They have already acquir- ed the Hind Studios at Andheri and thoroughly renovated it. In the middle of April the com- pany launched two productions simultaneously, the muhurt cere- mony having been performed be- fore a large gathering of trades- men, stars, artistes and technici- ans. They have engaged Aspi Irani and Manibhai Vyas for directing the two pictures, one of which to be directed by Aspi is named "Delhi Durwaza", a historical written by R. S. Choudhari, and the other is named "Ghunghroo" which will be directed by Mani- bhai Vyas. It is a comedy written by Mulkraj Bakhri. A fine cast of artistes including Snehaprabha Pradhan, W&sti and Agha Jan is being selected for the pictures. The C. R. Productions also per- formed the muhurt of their maiden production "Phoolzadi" to be di- rected by Hari Singh at the M & T •Films' studio. FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) Their sixth production in the Cadell Road studios is taking quick shape under the leadership of producer D. D. Kashyap. Su- raiya, Manorama, Yashodhara Katju, Gope, Gyani and Rehman make up the list of its stars and the picture is being directed by .0. P. Dutt as his first independ- ent assignment- Nargis Art Con- cern's "Romeo and Juliet" a Fam- ous release, starring Nargis and Sapru and directed by Akhtar Hussain is now on the screen- General Mohan Singh and Col. Dhillon of the I-N.A. paid a sur- prise visit lately to the studios and watched the shooting of All- India Productions' "Pugree" pro- duced by Arora. and starring Ka- mini Kaushal, Shashi Kala, Gope, Dixit and Wasti which is being directed by Anant Thakur. "Bapu ki Amar Kahani", a no- vel biographical short of the life of Mahatma Gandhi is now under production at the Famous Studios. Very shortly, Kalpana Pictures' maiden social, "Dhanyawad" will be released by the Famous Pic- tures. It is the story of a patriotic youth written by Rai Kinikar, for which dialogue and songs have been written by Ramakant Chow- dhary. Its cast is lead by Hans? and consists of well-known artiste* like Jagirdar, Sajjan, Agha and I.alita Paw'ais It is directed by Jagirdar and photographed by Hardeep. THE SCREENS (Bombay) "Viehwedeep Bapu" is the title of the film dealing with the life of Mahatma Gandhi, which is being produced by The Screens, an en- terprising firm of film distributors. It is a three-reel short in Hindi and covers almost all the import- ant events of Gandhiji's life. Some of the scenes for the short were shot at Porbandar, Gandhiji's birth place in Kathiawar. It has been produced by Sri Tarachand Barjatya. proprietor of the Screens and directed by Dwarka Khosla. The songs arc composed by Nil- kanth Tiwari and Bharat Vyas and sung by Mukesh, while the commentary, written by Nilkanth Tiwari is delivered by Raj Mehta. The film will shortly be released all over India. SHANTI PICTURES (Bombay) Director Ninu Mazumdar, who has also written the story for "Kuchh Xaya", Shanti Pictures' ambitious maiden social, and is in addition to directing the picture, also responsible for its musical "Stop! That does not behove you" says Nargis in a dignified tone to Raj Kapoor in "Aag", R. K. Films' maiden social produced and directed by Raj Kapoor. 69 FILMINDI A score has now completed its shoot- ing. The picture has been produc- ed by Kantilal Acharya at the Mohan Studios, Andheri and is reported to be a novel experiment in many ways. Ramesh Arora and Sudha Rao are starred in the leading roles supported by a good cast led by Ramesh Sinha and consisting of Purnima Chaudhary and R- S. Dube. Chip of the old block that he is, Ninu, son of the well-known old timer director-artiste Nagen- dra Mazumdar is reported to have done a very good job of his first directorial assignment. The next production of this concern "Wohi-ka-Wohi" has now gone on the sets and is progress- ing under the direction of Ninu Muzumdar. FILMISTAN, LTD. (Bombay) Their two pictures, "Do Bhai" and "Leela" are running respect- ively at the Novelty and the Roxy said will be succeeded by "Sajan'' THE FIDELYTONE RECORDING EQUIPMENT CONSISTS OF 1. Main Recorder Rack complete with Recorder fitted with 230 volts 50 Cycles, 3 phase motor, Slating Assembly, Recording Optical Assembly, I Oscillite, Monitor Loudspeaker with Baffle. Power Amplifier working on 230 volts 50 Cycles phase AC One tuning fork assembly for 50 Cycle Supply 2. Western Electric Dynamic Microphones Accessories. 2-100 ft. Microphone C>ble I • 100 ft. Shielded cable for connect- ing console to power assembly. Headphones with jack. I • Spare Oscillite. fjor i/our* Studios Here's the Recording equip- ment specially designed for Indian Studios to meet their special needs. ..econo- mical in use and dependable in operation. FAZALBHOY LIMITED MOTION PICTURE SOUND ENSINEERS 16, New Queens Rd. Bombay. Branches at Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi, Lahore & Karachi. May, 194$ and "Shaheed" at the respective theatres. "Sajan" is a picture de- picting the romantic life of gipsies starring Ashok Kumar and Rehana with Ranjit Kumari in the lead- ing roles while "Shaheed" is Fil- mistan's ambitious production based on a stirring and inspiring story dealing with the "Quit In- dia" movement of 1942. By a special arrangement Fil- mistan's picture "Shaheed" was; shown to members of the AICC and other distinguished congress- men at a special show during the last AICC Session in Bombay. Two more pictures are now un- der shooting at the studios which are still unnamed. SURESH PICTURES (Bombay) "Jeevan Jyot", their maiden musical social, starring beautiful Ratnamala and Jawahar in the leading roles with Baby Pradhan, Tara Rao, V. Kapoor and Nirmai Kumar in the support, is directed by Vijay Mohan Gupta. The mu- sical score comes from Nagesh. Producer Amichand is now busy with the shooting of several pic- tures at once which are making satisfactory progress simultaneous- ly at different ' studios both in Bombay and Calcutta. HINDUSTHAN KALAMANDIR, LTD. (Bombay) "Azadi-ki-Rah-Par", their am*- bitious production which took a whole year in making and cost the producers a million rupees has been sold for C. P. and C-I| territories to Messrs. Tak Film Corporation, the well-known dis- tributors of Rajputana and nego- tiations are now on for the territorial rights of the picture with well-known distributors of North India. The story of the picture deals with India's fight for freedom under the leadership of Mahatini Gandhi. It stars in the leading roles, Prithviraj, who is supported by prominent artistes like Van- mala, Jairaj, Jagdish Sethi. Su- nalini Devi, Jamshedji, Misra, etc- The music of the picture has been composed by Gurudev Ka- pur of the Seven Arts Centre and the photography is handled by New Theatres' aee camera- man Yusuf Mulji. ,1 BIS1 ]k ir P lie e i ty, 1948 FILM INDIA .RISTAN PICTURES (Bombay) The company has completed jir picture "Heer Ranjha" un- ding the popular love story of ! i Punjab which will be short- presented for censoring. It ars Mumtaz Shanti, Ghulam ohamed, Shree Nath etc- The >ry of the picture is written by i well-known screen playwright, ali Saheb. Paper work of their next pro- ction "Control" is now complete d shooting is expected to start a few days. The story of the 1 sture is written by S- H. Manto d dialogue and songs come from 3 pen of Wali Saheb. It will be 'ected by Nazim. VJAN PICTURES (Bombay) "Lucky Friends", Rajan Pic- res' maiden production, a screen H riller is booked for early release I the Nishat Talkies, Bombay d several other key stations roughout the Dominions of India d Pakistan simultaneously- The 3ture is directed by S. H. Tha- ni and features Neelam, Rajan, ' abib, Mannan, etc-, in prominent les. - The Bombay Presidency rights r the picture have been pur- a,sed by Messrs. India and Forc- n Film Exchange while Sind and aluchistan rights have been sold I Messrs Free Films of Karachi. UPER TEAM FEDERAL PRO- DUCTIONS (Bombay) "Meri Kahani", the maiden so- 1 al produced by this newly *i arted concern is reported to be plete with songs, full of pathos ''" id humour. Directed by camera- •' an Keki Mistry the picture was •oduced at the Central Studios ! f Sharaf and features several •ominent artistes like Surendra, Lunavar Sultana, Pratima Devi, • eila Kumari, Sanobar, Ramesh nha, Santosh Kumar, Bhudo i dvani, Murad Khan and Was- ir. Songs and dialogue for the pic- ' ire come from the pen of Wahid ureshi and music is directed by •j-Dutta (Koregaonkar) and pro- .* action was controlled by A. K. unant. Mr. Sharaf, the producer reported to be receiving good Ters for the picture's distribution ghts from various territories. SHREE RANJIT MOVIETONE CO., (Bombay) Their latest release, "Piya Ghar Aja", directed by Prahlad Dutt and starring Meena Kumari, Ka- ran Diwan, Agha Jan and Usha is now running at the local Cen- tral Cinema. Director Timur Behramshaw is now shooting "Bhool Bhoolaiya." a musical comedy starring Aga Jan. Zeb, Kureshi, Bhudo Advani and Pesi Patch Director Ramchandra Thakur hopes to complete "Jai Hanuman'- a mythological picture by the end of May- Its cast is led by S. N. Tripathi, Kailas. Babu Raje, Ni- rupa Roy and Keshav, while "Mi- tti-ke-Khilaune", starring Nigar and Karan Diwan, directed by Prahlad Dutt will shortly be rea- dy for release. Other pictures of the company awaiting release are, "Bichdc Ba* lam", "Kaun Hamara", "Lakhon- Mein-Ek". "Phoolwari". "Duniya- Ek-Sarai" and "Pardesi Mahe- man" MOHAN PICTURES (Andheri) This old and well known pro- ducing concern is now busy pro- ducing as many as four pictures simultaneously. "Jadui Angoothi", directed by A- M. Khan stars Anil Kumar, Husn Ara and Devraj and is now nearing completion while "Jadui Shehnai" a stunt- cum-magic picture has a stunt star cast of Prakash, Amir Kar- nataki, Shanta Patch Leela Pan- de, Deviraj and comedians Rafiq and Ansari. It is being directed by Naseem Saddiqi and is expected to be ready soon. The other two productions arc named "Ra-tan Manjari" which is being directed by Nanubhai Vakii and "Jadui Sindoor". directed by Xaseem Saddiqi- There are r.bout six other pic- tures, of independent producers under shooting at the Mohan Stu- dios, Andheri. PRABHA PICTURES (Bombay) This is a new producing con- cern floated by director Jaswant C. Zaveii, and its production work will be started shortly at the Mohan Studios, Andheri. Their maiden social to be called "C-I.D.'' is going to be a detective picture They are also planning the pro- duction of another social to be called "Munshiji", a slap stick comedy to be directed bv Jaswant C. Zaveri- VARMA FILMS (Bombay) This firm of distributors will shortly release "Sohag Raat", Ori- ental Pictures' maiden social whose distribution rights are con- trolled by Varma Films. Produc- ed from a story written by F- A. Mirza and V. Sharma and the screenplay, dialogue and songs by Kidar Sharma, the picture is di- rected by Kidar Sharma and stars Begum Para and Bharat Bhushan in the lea.ding roles with Geeta Bali a new talent who makes her screen debut in this picture. JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) Their maiden musical social "Veena" starring Sulochana Chat- terjee, Veera*, Rehman, Hemavati. Leela Misra, Girdhari and the popular favourite Yaqub has been passed by the censors last month- The trailer was seen by some dis- tributors in a private trial who liked it very much. Three dance sequences of Hemavati have been composed by herself. Yaqub is at his best giving some unique type of comic touches. With twelve songs with lilting music by Anil Biswas, "Yeena" is reported' to be a good musical treat- The picture is scheduled to be released at 12 key stations of India and Paki- stan simultaneously in near fu- ture. Exploitation rights have been sold out for Bengal, Western Pa- kistan, Delhi, tJ.P., East Punjab and C-P. C,I, on very lucrative minimum guarantees. GREAT INDIA PICTURES (Bombay) Their forthcoming social "Parai Aag" starring Munawar Sultana with Ullhas and Mumtaz is now ready for release. The picture has been directed by Najam Naqvi. Arrangements are now being made for its early release at several kev stations both in India and Paki- stan. It is also understood that the producers are receiving tempting offers for the picture's distribution rights. Their next production will soon go on the sets. It will be directed by S. M. Yusuf who has to his credit several box office pictures. 71 FILM INDIA May, I BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Mandir", their maiden produc- tion has been certified by the Censors and will be the next change at the local Swastik Cine- ma. It is the last picture directed by the late Winayak who has dealt in the picture with some preachings of Mahatma Gandhi- The picture was almost complete- before Winayak's sad death and his assistant Dinkar D. Patil has completed what was left unfinish- ed by Winayak. The picture stars popular arti- stes like Shanta Apte and Shahu Modak, supported by Salvi, Nan- da, Lata, Jaimala, Vijaya, Sam- son, Janki Dass and Winayak himself and has been produced by B- V. Bhoomaraddi. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT LTD. (Poona) Their forthcoming social "Phool aur Kante" was passed by the censors last month and is now awaiting release at a prominent Bombay theatre. Reported to be a novel experi- ment based on a novel theme, "Phool am Kante" is said to be a new type of psychological picture with a. new technique in direction. A Navyug picture will be coming to the screen after a fairly long time- The picture stars Lalita Pa- war and Salvi with Saro.j Borkar, Mohan Saigal and Shalini leading the support and is directed by Achyut Ranade. ARVIND AND ANAND (Bombay) "Khidki", their maiden picture produced and directed by Santoshi lias been released at Bangalore and Madras where it is reported to have been a . great box office puccess, achieving a new high in popularity. It is now awaiting re- lease at other important stations and arrangements are in progress for its simultaneous release .at more than a score of centres throughout the Indian Union. T K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bombay) "Batohi". starring Indu Paul, Krishna and Beena Paul with P.haraf Bhushan (of "Mahatma Kabir" fame) and Sapru in the principal roles is now almost com- pleted by director Kumar Menon. Kesari plays an important role in the picture. S. K. Pal, who is res- ponsible for the music of the pic- ture is said to have given many new and catchy tunes to the songs. CHITRALAYA LTD. (Bombay) . Starring Sulochana Chatterjee and Balwant Singh in the princi- pal roles and with a strong sup- port of popular artistes led by Radha Kishen, "Apni Chhaya", Chitralaya Ltd 's maiden picture, now being produced at the Bom- bay Talkies studios, Malad is progressing rapidly. The picture deals with life's se- rious aspects and is being made entertaining with an adequate sprinkling of comedy and satire. BLUE ART PICTURES (Bombay) Their picture "Suhagi" is rapid- ly progressing towards completion. Kamini Kaushal is starred in Filmistan's forthcoming picture, "Shaheed" Although new to the work, the J rector is confident of making good job of it and is quite entl siastic about it. Begum Para who plays 1 leading role is the chief attract! of "Suhagi" which also featu:. Manorama, Sadiq Ali, Badri Pj sad and Zilloobai in import? roles. The paper work on "Paya the company's next picture is n complete. R. K. FILMS (Bombay) Producer-director-artiste I Kapoor having completed j maiden ambitious picture "Aa has also been lucky in disposi of the distribution rights for C C.I. to Messrs: Bharati Film D tributors of Indore at a recc price. Negotiations are now p: gressing for the distribution rig for other territories and they | expected to be completed shortl; The picture which stars Nar Kamini Kaushal and Raj Kap himself has a powerful support cast and the young Raj is und stood to have made a fine job it. According to all reliable ports, the picture is likely to come a great hit. It is schedu for release at Bombay, Calcu and' several other key' stations multaneously. DIAMOND PICTURES, LTD. (Bombay) News published in certain pal saying that Madame Devika R was starred in Diamond Pictu: maiden production "Anya, which is now nearing complet1 appears to have created sonic 1 understanding. Devika Rani now retired from film work good. The picture "Anyaya" is a vel experiment in product which is going to present som the best specimens of De Rani's superb artistry culled f the several pictures of the B bay Talkies Ltd., wherein she starred. It has thus been poss to present the "first lady of Indian screen" in this pic without her having actually ed the camera for it. Rum about her having accepted contract or working on the se "Anyaya", are, therefore, em tically denied by the produce Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage ,off Delisle Road Bombay 13. and Published by him for " filmindia " Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Bombay. SHORTLY TO BE RELEASED Great India Pictu pes GREATEST ENTERTAINER PaVIRaVI aVA© PARTICULARS : East Punjab.-' S WAR AN PICTURES, Jullunder City. West Pakistan.- NEW EVERSHINE PICTURES, The Mall, Lahore. PEARL PICTURES LTD., BOTAWAI A BI-DG. FOR T , Bombay. SHPNT I PICTURES Will NflUfl Stirring MM MOM * MHA MO *RAMtW1lim*Pt/llMA GfAUM/MV'MMiUMtMWM Pxoduced ey fToav.Muiic.DiKccrio* RANTILAL ACHARYA NINU MUZUMD Pa*t/cula*s SMANTI PICTURES 34, LALLUBHAI MAN5I ON, VtttCtNT ROAD^BOM Crams: BOXOFFICE DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. '"or." SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD, BOMBAY 4. fHE STORY OF A BLEEDING HEART THAT WILL HAUNT YOU FOR YEARS---- Muffc: Executive • Producer : Photography NINU MUZUMDAR B. K. AGRAWAL. CHAN°U For Particulars • 8HANTI - LOKCHITHA, 156, Tordeo, BOMBAY 7. THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR GENUINE "IIRMNtllCl SOUND EQUIPMENT A SYMBOL OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT QUALITY SOUND SYSTEM FOR EVERY THEATRE NOW available ex stocks for Theatres from 500 to 5000 seats. INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4 Phone: 2 08 9 2. Telegram SOUNDHEAD" NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5. N. Y. MADRAS 8, Mount Road, MADRAS 2. LONDON 21, Wormwood Street, LONDON E. C. 2. r Li element to T llai -die" qqiz rub^crlber Nc. v^«5 |a the r*:r!stretion fee hss been increased by the *>ost Office from 8 to 4 snnas r>er ->ecket, r .e.f .1-4-4'', you are re- tester te reiit snoas bein? the -if erence in rsri str- ti on Karnes on ycur subscription . THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR II V ill v SOUND EQUIPMENT A SYMBOL OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT QUALITY SOUND SYSTEM FOR EVERY THEATRE NOW available ex stocks for Theatres from 500 to 5000 seats. INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17. NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, BOMBAY 4 Phone: 2 08 9 2. NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5. N. Y. MADRAS 18, Mount Road, MADRAS 2. Telegram: "SOUNDHEAD" LONDON 21, Wormwood Street, LONDON E. C. 2. SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia". from any month is : INLAND Rs. 24/- FOREIGN: Shillings 50/- Subscriptlon is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 55. SIR PHIPOZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY Telephone . 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. JUNE 1948 No. 6. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page inside Rs. Half Page inside Rs. J Page inside Rs. • Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. I st Cover 400 210 120 ISO 500 600 Rs. 1.000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. 'Pocumenta'iij O't Pefjamation ? tfovt of) (India. -Help* % Aiab Tilml ~To Tell ~The Wotid £/ow ' Uncli/iliied ' l/l/e -f)ze / When it was first reported in the press that aul Zils. a young German technician, had been en- rusted with the task of producing the three docu- mentary films for training Indian social weltare •orkers, which the Film Department of - the JNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific ad Cultural Organisation) was making for, and at ie request of, the Government of India, this jour- al alone had the foresight to warn against the anger of getting a non-Indian to direct such films lich were concerned with the very core of Indian llage life. In the "Bombay Calling" for March, ur contributor "JUDAS" wrote: — the films arc to be addressed to the millions of illiterate mothers atid teachers in the villcges. tcho are conversant only with any of the provincial languages. A completely INDIAN approach and an understanding of Indian psy- chology are. therefore, necessary for any one uho undertakes the production of these films [only) Indian technicians with imagina- tion can bring to the task of making films on such subjects an Indian approach and an in- stinctive understanding of the Indian psycho- logy and the Indian way of life". Now we have seen the films and our worst :ars have been justified. Not that the films are .'clinically bad, but because they are, as we feared, epical and glaring examples of a foreigner's-eye- iew of India — that patronising, condescending at- tude in which contempt, pity and a morbid plea- ire at pointing the sore spots of Oriental life are 1 mixed, the same attitude which characterised ich films as "Guntjadin" and "Drums". The "na- ves" are dirty, filthy, uneducated, illiterate, un- ygienic, hopeless'y backward. Rut they are not bad, really, being child-like at heart. They can r saved and redeemed by Sahib loge, their missions ad their medicines, by white-i ilk- sari-clad Parsi icial workers from Bombay— and by blonde Ger- lans like Paul Zils! That, to me, seems to be the »eme and substance of the three documentaries, Mother", "Child" and "Community" for which the people and the Government of India have paid through the vast amount we contribute every year to the UNESCO, without getting very much "in re- turn. "So Cute, My dean!" At the .Metro preview, the Society ladies pre- dominated and found the films "so cute, my deah" —a compliment which might have been meant for the producer, for all we know. But film critics are not likely to be impressed by the good looks or white skin of a producer or by the swanky invitation cards. A film— be it a feature or a documentary — has to be judged on its own merits. •Judged as documentaries, the three films "Child", "Mother" and "Community" would rate an indiffer- ent B class. The photography (by an Indian, P. V. Pathy) is first rate, both locations and character faces having been photographed with understanding and sympathy, without the help of overfiltered bleached clouds and prettified landscapes. The various ills to which an Indian village is heir to — disease, ignorance, superstition— are catalogued with grim and unlovely details and the message of "hy- gienic living" is hammered in relentlessly both through pictorial effects and commentary. Viewed superficially one might say that though young Zils has not produced a documentary in the tradition of Flaherty and Paul Rotha he has at least rend- ered some useful service to us, Indians, by making these films. But has he? Documentaries were once described as "films of truth". Has Zils told the truth, the whole truth, in these films? According to Zils and his films, the Indian vil- lager is unhappy and miserable not as a result of hundred and fifty years of imperialist oppression and exploitation, not because of the vicious zamindari system, not because of the money-lenders, but be- cause of ignorance and superstition. According to Zils. the ancient systems of Indian medicine are completely worthless. The improvised devices that the peasants i for lack of medical facilities) are forced to use, and some of which are quite effective, f ILMINDI A In Suresh Pictures' forthcoming picture "Jeevan Jyot", Ratnamala and Javahar appear to have seen the flame of life. June, 19 are dismissed as filthy and superstitious. Thus 3V' Zils is looking at us from outside, looking with gen ine pity, perhaps, but as an outsider, without u derstanding, and without identifying himself wi the people and their life. Moreover, he wants tackle vital social problems without attacking t political causes and the economic status quo. T "social welfare" as envisaged by his films and as aptly symbolized by the Parsi lady doctor, again outsider, who is the main character of the film, is t fashionable "slumbering" of conscience-stricken s ciety ladies. No wonder these films have appeal mostly to the shark-skin-and-gold-border sari cla: Disowned By Experts The unauthentic nature of these films and t basically false, un-Indian approach of their prod cer can further be proved by the comments and c: ticism of medical experts and trained social workt who saw them — including one whose name appea in the credit titles as one of the "Technical Ad sers". In a letter to Miss Marion Dix, the Visi Information Officer of the United Nations Organic tion who supervised the production, this is what I K. S. Mhaskar, M.A., M.D., B.Sc, D.P.H., D/O & H., Honorary Secretary, Bombay Mothers a Children's Welfare Society, who was supposed to the Technical Adviser for these films, has to about them: "I confess I was very much disappoint and if I had been asked (emphasis ours — E .li WANTED EDITORIAL STAFF Wanted Editorial assistants and independent contributors of status and education for a grand new monthly national magazine. Staff Writers must have experience of condensing and summarizing and turning out original work. Good salaries to reliable persons. Contributors must be specialized writers on different subjects such as politics, sociology, sport, music, international affairs, medicine, science, religion, radio, motion pic- tures, business, finance, human relations, economics, history, 'Women and beauty tips', etc. Contributions will be generously paid for. Please apply stating terms either as staff "workers or as contributors, enclosing wherever possible a specimen of writing. Staff artists, cartoon artists, press and social photographers are also required. Apply Box No. 384, Care of "filmindia". 4 une, 1948 While the film was being prepared, I would have been glad to help .... I do not know exactly what advice Dr. Kumarappa and Dr. Miss Chaudhari (the other two Technical Advisers) had given you, but if wc three had met at least once in joint consultations, we could have eliminated some objectionable portions and sub- stituted something which we desire very much as Indians. . . .You had also mentioned that you will put in some similar scenes about the other provinces in India, for the sake of comparison, so that the viewers would not think that such things are done in Maharashtra alone. ..." Here are some points of criticism made by Dr. Mi's. Shantabai Gulabchand, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S, De- puty Secretary, Bombay Mothers and Children Welfare Society: — ''First and foremost the heroine chosen by the Director has no expression on her face, throughout the film she looks so tired and wor- ried so that the people of the village would get tired of her soon. . . .The whole film seems to be a patch-work " After a detailed, scene-by-scene criticism of the Ims, from the point of view of a medical expert, Dr. ulabchand concludes: "I am sorry to say that after seeing the film I was rather disappointed". And this is what an even greater authority, Dr. liss Jhirad, M.D., Acting Chairman of the Bombay [others & Children Welfare Society, has to say: "I agree with most of the comments offer- FILMINDI A PAUL ZILS' "CHILD'' "The general effect of the films is to lower the prestige of India". PAUL ZILS' COMMUNITY" "The people of the village would get tired of her soon". cd by Dr. Mrs. Shantabai Gulabchand There is much lack of imagination throughout the film " Finally, here is a devastating comment from Mrs. Yamuna Hirlekar, M.A., Principal, Women's College, Poona: "On seeing the films, one is puzzled as to what is exactly the purpose of the films. Are tluy meant for the American public or the Indian public? If it is the former, then the general effect of the films is to lower the pres- tige of India. The rural scenes with the barber and the idle Sadhu are typical subjects that are all the time exploited by foreign anti* Indian propagandists abroad". Those days are gone when anything done by a white man was immediately accepted by us as the very acme of art and technique. Mr. Zils' films have not satisfied the INDIAN medical authorities and social workers, whatever compliments they may have got from the UNO bosses. Moreover it is clear from Dr. Mhaskar's letter that his name and position were exploited as "Tech- nical Adviser" without his advice having been sought or received. To our mind, it constitutes an unpardonable breach of faith, and Mr. Zils owes both an explanation and an apology to Dr. Mhas- kar. We repeat, what 'JUDAS' wrote earlier that an Indian documentary director alone could have done justice to these films if the intention of the UNO was to make films to help Indian social workers. But was that the intention? 5 National 1 R A D b • M A R K PROJECTOR CARBONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF PROJECTION LAMP FOR SMALLER THEATRES Low Intensity Projection gives clear- TM& cut images and true reproduction. FOR MEDIUM-SIZED THEATRES Larger screens and longer throws require "Suprex" Carbon High Intensity Projec- tion for proper screen brightness and color. j'L^lTtlfl FOR THE LARGEST THEATRES High Intensity— the finest projection avail- able. Greater depth, sharper definition, high- er screen brightness, and full, richer color. SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITORS know that movie- goers appreciate top-quality projection. Carbon arc projection makes the picture brighter, sharper in detail— with perfectly balanced color. It brings cus- tomers back to your theatre again and again. TYPICAL CARBON TRIMS FOR PROJECTION LAMPS TYPE OF LAMP TYPE OF CARBON SIZE ARC AMPERAGE ARC VOLTAGE Low Intensity D.C. Reflector Type Low Intensity Cored Positive Low Intensity Cored Negative Low Intensity Cored Positive Low Intensity Cored Negative 10mm x 8" (203mm) 7mm x 8" (203mm) 12mm x 8" (203mm) 8mm x 8" (203mm) 20 32 55 55 A.C. High Intensity A.C. High Intensity Cored (.Both Holders) A.C. High Intensity Cored (Both Holders) 7mm x 12" or 14" (305 or 355mm) 8mm x 12" or 14" (305 or 355mm) 66 80 22 25 High Intensity D.C. Reflector Type "Suprex" Cored Positive "Orotip" C Cored Negative "Suprex" Cored Positive "Orotip" C Cored Negative 7mm x 12" or 14" (305 or 355mm) 6mm x 9" (228mm) 8mm x 12" or 14" (305 or 355mm) 7mm x 9" (228mm) 50 70 37 40 High Intensity Condenser Type High Intensity White Flame Positive "Orotip" Heavy Duty Cored Negative 13.6mm x 22" (560mm) 7/16" x 9" (11mm x 228mm) 150 78 SOLD THROUGH AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS BY NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, Inc. FOREIGN DEPARTMENT 30 EAST 42nd STRICT, NEW YORK 17, N. Yc< U. S. A. T*">* "NATIONAL", "SUPREX" and "OROTIP" are Trade-Marks of NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY. JNC. m\e, 1948 FILM INDIA dha Rao has reason to look askance at the world "Kuchh Naya", Shanti Pictures' maiden produc- tion. Stop This Slander What is the aim of these documentaries? We uld like to ask. Is it to acquaint Indian social rkers with the nature of the problems they are ely to face in the villages? Is it to teach the lagers themselves better ways of life? Or is it to jadcast to the world (a la Miss Katherine Mayo i her "Mother India") how "backward" and "un- ilized" the Indians are? If these films were prc- ;ed (as a UNO Press release stated i "for training lian social welfare workers", and "at the request of the Indian Government as a part of the (U. N.) organisation's advisory social welfare programme which provides for assistance in this line to member countries", then what is the point in having the ori- ginal commentary in English and flying the prints to America for exhibition abroad? If these films are shown abroad, the conclusion is inescapable that the UNO is interested in pro- claiming India's alleged backwardness to the world at large. All countries (including the USA which has some of the worst slums, slave labour in the South, and thousands of homes where there are .10 bath rooms or even lavatories) have their sore spots which must be removed by Governmental action and public education. Thanks to a century and a half of imperialist rule, which kept us so backward, India has even more than her proper share of these ugly patches of superstition and ignorance, unhygienic living and lack of sanitation. Our Government and our social workers must fight out these evils. Films can serve a useful purpose by indicating the best re- medies for unhygienic living. But what purpose is served by exhibiting these films in foreign countries Unless it be to degrade and disgrace India? In this connection, it will be recalled that the U. S. Government discourages exhibition abroad of films containing exposures and criticism of social conditions in U. S. A. Only the other day they pro- tested against the production on the stage of the play "Deep Are The Roots" in a theatre in the Russian zone of Germany, because it exposes the uncivilized race complex of America and the brutal treatment given to Negroes! Why then, is our Government silent about this matter? We appeal to the Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Patel, to take immediate steps to forbid the exhibition of these films abroad. After ten years, once again "filmindia" launches a crusade to save the honour of our country, and raises the old fight- ing slogan: STOP THIS SLANDER ! CHAMPION TYRES FOR THE CINEMA mntty % maty 4/6 PROFITS/ I The G. K. 40] Sound and Projection equipment is compact, inexpensive, yet very robust. It gives a first class show, and shows a first class profit. Its great reliability and long life are backed by G. K. service and readily-available spare parts. We shall be glad to show this outstanding equip- ment to you in our Bombay Showroom and Demonstration Theatre .... without obligation, of course. BAIJMONTKALFE LTu FORBES BUILDING • • HOME STREET • • BOMBAY SOCIETY CINEMA, 2, CORPORATION PLACE, CALCUTTA. KHALEEL MANSIONS 35, MOUNT ROAD, MADRAS. This section is the monopoly of JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. 1VIVING AN OLD CAMPAIGN it Old readers of "filmindia" will recall a cam- "%gn carried on by this journal against anti-Indian ins produced in Hollywood and elsewhere. It was | a result of this campaign that "Drums'' (a Bri- ll picture glorifying Britain's imperialist policy on 3 North-West Frontier) and "Gungadin" (depicfc I the ideal Indian as a cringing, slave-like servant the Sahib loge) were banned in India. Through 3 campaign carried on in these columns and, later, 'ough a personal visit of Editor Baburao Patel to jllywood and Britain, the vicious flow of anti- dian pictures was checked. Later. Hollywood did 7 to make amends by producing a few by-no- HMOS-perfect but nevertheless sympathetic pictures th Indian background — e.g. "The Rains Came", Lazor's Edge", etc. But now, there is a danger of the anti-Indian ms being revived. The gruesome newsreels of the >ts have already done much damage to the repu- tion of India in the eyes of the world. Following their wake comes the news from London that "the nerican producer of a 'horrific' documentary film titled India Speaks, Mr. Walter Footer, is in Lon- n to resume his 13-year old battle with the censors re for permission to show it publicly." We rem- lber this film which did much mischief when shown America and it was due to the strong protests made the Indian press — and with a view not to alienat- % Indian public opinion on the eve of war — that e British Government had disallowed the exhibi- >n of this film. What is this film like? Mr. Footer himself scribes it as "horrific". According to him: "I ose the sequence of shots on the basis of what was teresting, entertaining or horrible. Horror is good 'X-office. The film has been a great success in the ited States, but what India or the Hindus would ink about it I wouldn't know". When the film was last banned in 1939. "the nsors objected not only to the shots of mutilations Sicted on themselves by re'ieious fanatics but also remarks made by Mr. Halliburton (the commen- tor) on the Hindu religion." ill Hollywood_NoTr! In short, "India Speaks" is a film version of therine Mayo's "Mother India". By deliberate oice, the worst features of primitive Indian life are Krtaposed in such a manner that thev constitute a nder on the Indians and on the Hindu religion. ie Government of India shou'd lose no time in aking it clear to the British authorities that they Juld regard the release of such a film as an "un- friendly act''. All possible diplomatic pressure should be brought to bear on them to get this vici- ously slanderous film banned for ever. In this connection, I believe our Ambassadors and High Commissioners abroad have a very im- portant role to perform — as the guardians of India's honour. By keeping close, friendly contact with film producers they must see to it that if any films are made on Indian subjects in the country to "which they are assigned, a fair, sympathetic and" authentic pic- ture of India is presented. In the old days the Hol- lywood producers used to apply to the British Am- bassador in Washington in such cases and invaria- bly a retired British officer of the Indian army- Colonel This or Major That — was sent as "Techni- cal Advisor" to give his 'expert' guidance in the de- piction of Indian life. Our present Ambassadors can see to it that the proper type of Indian advisors are made available to studios wishing to tackle In- dian subjects. I read the other day that Columbia is planning an expensive production, "Song of India", starring Sabu. Turhan Bey and Gail Russel (as an Indian princess). What steps has the Indian Em- bassy in Washington taken to tender correct advice Kamini Kaushal and Leela Chitnis vying with each other in charm and glamour in Filmistan*s forth- coming picture, 'Shaheed". 9 You're MILES Ahead ! » . . with flic new Station Wagon Body on the Chevrolet Special Station Wagon Chassis. Here is trans- portation which offers Economy, Comfort, Performance and Style combined with 8 - passenger accommodation toe plenty of accessible baggage or freight- stowing space. Here is durability and dependability unequalled u, its field. Ask your Chevrolet dealer about the all- round performance of the Station Wagon. WITH THE NEW STATION WAGON BODY ON THE CHEVROLET STATION WAGON CHASSIS FOR PLEASURE The Station Wagon is the popular choice for the countryman. Flexible rear suspension with indepen- dent ' KNEE ACTION' on the front wheels gives a comfortable ride on all road surfaces. COURTESY VEHICLE The 8 -passenger capacity of this utility vehicle "makes it the ideal personnel transport vehicle for offices, factories, airlines and hotels and for all general- purpose transportation duties. FOR TOURING For business or pleasure trips out of town with a full load of kit, the Chevrolet Station Wagon is the car. Chevrolet independent suspension gives maximum comfort on up-country roads. For further details, see your Chevrolet dealer. A PRODUCT OP GENERAL MOTORS INDIA LIMITED, BOMBAY V«r»/»| |0Mtry<| irtntptrt c.,d, (o,,v,r cwtatf yon from tar factart la Bomfcoy fane, 1948 FILMINDIA ■Bw 1 IS Though a Gujarati, Manhar Desai prefers th? wh'te man's dress to the dhoti and the Gandhi cap in Ajit Pictures' popular Gujarati social, "Gunsundari '. :o the producers of this picture? Has Hollywood Deen told that India is now a free country? Censorship And Commonsense Censorship of films, as of anything else, is a ;ircful as well as a dangerous weapon. It can be |ised, as this magazine has always urged it should, for the removal of vulgarity and obscenity • rom our films. Constructively, it should be used to ■ncourage the production of healthy, clean, purnose- • ul and progressive pictures. But in the hands of plundering amateurs, ill-informed moralists and half- baked reormcrs, it can be a nuisance and a farce, po. No one will dispute the assertion that a picture, h the totality of its effect, must uphold the better lvalues of life, clean and decent living, and a civi- ised code of morals. But even to emphasize the ' eed for goodness and morality, it may be necessary b dramatically present badness, immorality and Ijvil, as to make the audience loathe all such vicious Ik'ays. It would be impossible, for instance, to make ] really effective anti-drink and pro-prohibition pic- urc without having scenes showing extreme and re- l|olting cases of drunkenness. If our censors knew 1 ven the basic elements of drama they could not fail 3 be aware of this fact. Even a little commonsensc ould indicate the necessity of depicting evil to j lorify goodness, by contrast, What do the censors . lean, then, bv the cuts thev recentlv ordered in a I lm called "Yeh Hai Duniya"? It appears that in this picture there i« a scene Ilepicting the debaucheries and depravities of a party of drunkards which provide a contrast and a provocation for the dramatic action of the ideali-.t hero who enters the dance hall and smashes up the bottles. Conscious of the prohibition policy, the censors (the full board, in this case) have very kind- ly allowed that part of the scene showing the hero rushing in and smashing the bottles but have order- ed the poducers to "omit the rest in between, which consists of close-ups of liquor bottles, men drinking liquor neat straight from bottles and making love to women in a vulgar way". But without the earlier shots, the bottle-smash- ing would look pointlers and lose all dramatic — and even mora! — purpose. It would be a case of 're- action' without previous 'action'. In all such cases the issue before the censors should be simple: Does the scene encourage and glorify evil ways of drinking and debauchery or does it create abhorence against such vicious ways? To blindly cut out every drinking fcene and shot would defeat the very purpose of the Government's policy to do propaganda against drinking and vice. Has Ram Rajya Arrived? Another passage in the official order imposing cuts on the producer of "Yeh Hai Duniya" needs to be noticed: "In Pratap's speech in Court retain his denun- ciation of Harilal. but omit a'l inflammatory gene- ralisations against the rich as a clas«, which is preaching of violent class hatred: IT MUST BE MADE CLEAR BY THE PRODUCER THAT THE RICH WERE OPPRESSING THE POOR UNDER THE BRITISH RAJ!" This, surely, is the limit of smug complacency — to use the mildest expression! Do the censors seri- ous1 v believe that as with effect from August 15. the exploitation of the poor by the rich has suddenlv and automatically come to an end? Has the b'esscd 'Ram Rajya' really arrived? Is there no exploita- tion, no economic inequality, no profiteerins;, no blackmarket. no uncmp'oyment in Free India to- day? Onlv the other day the Government arrested certain millionaires in Bombay for anti-social acti- vities What evidence is there that after the end of the British Raj the rich are no longer oppressing the poor? , In these circumstances, the order of the censors only betrays a concern for the interests of the ex- ploiting class. Are we to understand that the cen- sors are there for the protection of public morals or for the preservation of an unjust, outmoded econo- mic system? THOU SHALT NOT WALK OUT! While the Congress ministry of our Province is continually accused of being incompetent and in- efficient, I had never so far believed it capable of becoming funny or comical. But now I believe it. The hard-boiled, puritanic, matter-of-fact ministers can really indulge in a little humour once in a while, as one of them has done by suggesting that the exits of all cinema theatres in the city should be 11 FILM INDIA June, 194 1 closed at the end of each show when the "National Anthem" is played or sung, in order that the audi- ence may not leave the house (as it is now doing) but learn to respect the "National Anthem". These khaddar-clad puritans who learned their discipline in His Majesty's prisons, naturally know no better ways of teaching discipline to others than those taught by the jail manuals. They do not seem to realise however, that while people can be taught discipline by jail manuals, they cannot be compelled to respect anything or anybody, neither the Na- tional Anthem, nor the National Flag, aye, not even God by fear of confinement or punitive action. Res- pect comes from one's heart. It is not enforced by laws. The Britishers who ruled over us for a cen- tury and a half knew it very well and, therefore, they never tried to compel our- respect for the Union Jack or the British National Anthem by means of law or such comical devices as closing the doors of cinema houses or public halls. But I wonder whether we really have a "Na- tional Anthem" at all! Are we to take it that any song that is either played or sung at any cinema theatre at the end of the show is our National An- them? And are we supposed to stand up and show our respect to that song? If that is what our white cap rulers want, the sooner they give up governing the province, the better it would be for both them- selves and the people. I have heard "Vande Mataram" being sung or played at countless places in a number of tunes that vary from a fox-trot dance tune to a dirge. I have heard likewise ".Tana Gana Mana'' when often I thought a mourning song was being sung in memory of some great departed Indian. I have also heard "Hindo-satan Hamara" being sung in the "Kaw- wali" fashion. I do not yet know which of all these is our National Anthem and I am at a loss whether any of the thousand and one tunes in which these various songs are being sung or played is capable of infusing anything but sheer nausea in the mind or heart of a music-loving and intelligent listener. No National Anthem! We have no officially recognised National An- them yet. Acharya Kripalani. an ex-President of the Indian National Congress once refused to stand up in a meeting while "Jana Gana Mana" was be- ing sung on the ground that that song was not the officially recognised National Anthem! Even Gan- dhi ji once refused to stand up while "Vande Mata- ram" was being sung because he said, showing res- pect bv standing up was the western fashion, and we Indians need not imitate it. We could show our respect better, he said, by quietly squatting with folded arms. Any way, whether we have a National Anthem or not, there is no necessity of playing anything like it or displaying the National Flag on the cinema screen. There are many other places and many other occasions every day when the playing of the national song or the displaying of the National Flag could be done with due serenity and dignity and 12 DEAR READER! NEED I TELL, I STAR IN Orient Sound Studloi ' . JANNAT with HAMID, S. RAJ. ANWAR!, NAZIR KASHMIRI, ABBAS RIZVI, SHANTI MADHOK, RATTAN, Munshi Munnaqqa, Piareylal, Noorjehan, RAZIA AKHTAR, ZOHRA and PRITMA MALHOTRA Producer 3 Director Story : DAROGHAJEE Revised by M K. CHHIBBER Music: — HANUMAN PR ASH AD Dialogue-Songs — M K. CHHIBBER. Photography:— AH ME DULL A AIMERI P. R. KUMAR M. K. CHHIBBER Prod- Seer. ;- Shabbir Rizvi. MURTUZA CHANGEZEE FOR PARTICULARS CONTACT - ORIENT FILMS C/o ORIENT SOUND STUDIOS Kalina. Santa . Cruz, BOMBAY, 25. me, 1948 FlLM INDIA ,efore a more intelligent, and better disciplined rowd. A cinema screen never was and still is not ie proper place for the demonstration of partiotism. And it must always be understood by those who -ield power that respect for one's country can never e born in hungry stomachs contained by quarter- lad bodies who have to lie down on open pavements pr their night's rest. ILM MUSIC — WITHOUT TEARS! "These film songs have killed the soul of music''. jFilm songs are creating adverse effects on children f tender ages". "Love songs, whether from films t books, affect the tender age resulting in moral de- iradation of the younger generation". "It is time ie authorities imposed some sort of control on film msic". That is the trend of thought emanating from ifferent quarters. A section of the local press larried on a raging controversy on the demoralising jnd pernicious influence of love songs on our chil- ren thus echoing the widely-shared feeling that [mething must be done to prevent children from feeing such films and going crazy about the "catchy" kid "snappy" love songs (a la Madhok & Co.!) |hich are calculated to degenerate their minds. As if to add to the impression gathered from Ins heated discussion on the subject namely that u Igular vendetta was shaping itself in no uncertain Inns against film music, came the Music Confer- lace held at Rajkot and presided over by no less a treonage than Kaka Sahcb Kalelkar who thunder r,e teaching wisdom to youth— Bharat Bhushan and »ir Raj in Oriental Pictures' "Sohag Raat", releas- ed through Varma Films. ed that film songs had killed the soul of Indian music! With that die-hard champion and exponent of classical music, Pundit Omkarnathji supporting this contention, the Rajkot Conference carried a resolu- tion recommending to the Government the urgency of controlling film music, and accelerating, in turn, the standard of remuneration derived by Radio singers. While it is true that a more vigorous and rigid code of censorship (if and when it comes into effect) would go a long way in eliminating the present un- desirable influence of love songs — the bulwark of film music in vogue these days — on our children and that, as pointed out in these columns in our issue of April, the only way to achieve this end speedily, was to enforce the proposed classification of our films without delay, it is also undeniable that it was an exaggerated and one-sided denunciation of film music voiced by Kaka Saheb and Omkarnathji. Film music, despite all its acknowledged vaga- ries and limitations, has its own charm and place of distinction which some of its leading wizards like Raichand Boral and Pankaj Mullik, Naushad and Ghulam Haider have richly earned and deserved. To say that film songs have killed the soul of music is, therefore, to shut one's eyes completely to the other, brighter, side of the picture where their contribution, the contribution of Saigal and Kanan, Shanta Apte and Subbulakshmi and several others, reigns supreme as a landmark of the screen's role in popularizing our musical heritage and pulling it out, of its strictly classifical jargon. It is a travesty of truth and a gross injustice to the long and irrefuta- ble chain of achievements film music in India has recorded and the invaluable service it has rendered in fulfilling the nation's thirst for music other than the kind which Omkarnathji and his tribe have been able to supply. With a move for compulsory classes of music in the new school curriculum already afoot, it is to be hoped that the authorities will not be oblivious to the justifiable claim to better status for and recog- nition of film music — without being wrongly led away by the futile protests of Omkarnathji and those of his ilk! THANK YOUR STARS, FILM SCRIBES! Some of us, film scribes, generally complain and feel deprived of the fact that despite our efforts to "hit the headlines", people are loathe to take this tribe seriously. I, for one however, have often secret- ly breathed a sigh of relief in the heart of my heart on realising that we are far safer here as compared to our contemporaries in the West. It is no mean consolation that our "fans" and "admirers" seldom take their clue from reports of how film critics in Europe are encountered with and manhandled and how often they bear a charmed life by the sheer grace of the Almighty! Going through my morning paper the other dav, I could not help bouncing up from the chair and, Deluxe Equipment for All Size Theatres The Perfect Blending of Sight and Sound For South India: EVERGREEN (BANG/LORE) LTD., 2, Seshadrl Road, BANGALORE. Telephone ! Telegrams : 760P - FVFRGREPN" EVIcR6RrEN (BANGALORE) LTD., I8/H6 Papalah Street, Gandhinagar, B E Z W A D A. Tel*. Add : " EVERGREEN " EVERGREEN PICTURES Saklat House, 15, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY. For Bengal, Bihar, Orissa & Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPN , 1 1 , Esplanade East, CALCUTTA. Tele : Telegram : Cal. 6178 " CINEFILMS " For North India; EVERGREEN PICTURES Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Tel. Add: Telephon "DESAICOY" 64SS For Indian States : EVER6REEN PICTURES No. I, South Tukogan}, INDORE. Tele. H EVERGREEN June, 1948 FILM INDIA ncidentally, spoiling my cup of tea while experienci- ng a thrilling, shuddering sensation throughout my ;eins as I came across a news item dreadfully cap- ioned: 'Film Journalists. Beware' and narrating the story of how Sheila Howarth. a 26-year old British ilm columnist, was assaulted by a former cab driver vho called her a "film tramp" and a "cheap little mm" (fellow scribes please copy!) and had thrown iier out of his cab. Though I do not know if Miss Howarth still Continues to scribble her film column for the (Lon- don) "Daily Graphic", I have a hunch that there Inust be more to it than meets the eye in the news |vhich attributes to her statement: "I tremble Ivhen I see a yellow cab". Film journalists in India must thank their stars >nd the milk and water technique some of them )ursue) for not being frequented by the type young pheila had to put up with but, all the same, let that toe no damper for our aspiring blue stockings to take up film journalism as a career. Indian cab drivers ire not so unchivalrous. Moreover, they seldom ead papers. [NVERSE PROPORTION I With the entire administration all round work- ling on the inverse proportion method of less service or higher fees, one would hardly expect the Bom- jay Municipality to adopt any other method and ;ive better service for increased revenue in any of its 'arious departments. Here arc some figures that nay shock those who still believe that the City Fathers who promise you everything imaginable I when seeking your votes really mean all that. The Bombay Municipality is maintaining a [Licensing Department which issues various licences 'Including those for film storage. It receives fees for ]ill such licences. And it maintains a staff of super- (•ising officials whose business it is to see to it that he rules and regulations relating to the licence are >roperly observed. From 1919-20, this supervisory staff consisted >f 11 men, the licences issued numbered 12,617 and | [he revenue obtained therefrom was Rs. 1,36,215[-. From 1937-38, the Municipality generously add- j-d two more men to the supervisory staff when the lumber of licences increased by about 9000, going ipto 21,794 and the revenue went up to Rs. 1,88.465. From 1946-47, the Municipality enlarged its 'upervisory staff by yet one more addition, when it ound that the number of licences had gone up to !8,596 and the revenue receipts totalled 2,55,936. And from 1947-48, the same number of supervi- sory staff (14) is dealing with 31000 licences yield- ng to the Municipality a revenue of Rs. 6,25,000. This will show that while during the last 27 'ears the number of licences has increased by nearly '50 per cent and the Municipal revenue from that ource by 450 per cent, the authorities have only added three more men to the supervisory staff and there is little wonder that fires breaking out at places where film is stored without proper licences destroys precious human life and valuable private property because the Municipality could not afford to exercise proper vigilance for "want of funds"! Film fires have been frequent not only in Bom- bay but in many other places and even the Govern- ment of the Indian Union has thought it worth its while to devote attention to the growing menace and promulgate fresh orders and new rules relating to safety measures for preventing repetitions of the unwarranted sacrifice of innocent human lives. And it comes as a pleasant surprise that the Bombay Municipality has, at long last, moved in the matter. A Socialist party corporator has moved two resolutions demanding an inquiry into the re- cent fire at the Chowpatty Chambers and the laying down of a policy of refusing licences for the storage of inflammable articles in buildings parts of which are occupied for residential purposes or of making such storage completely fire proof. A similar demand comes from another Corporator who stands for lay- ing down a policy of prohibiting storage of combus- tible material in residential houses and areas. Thanks to the persistent campaign carried or. by "filmindia", it is very much reassuring to find that the authorities have, after all, realized the gra- vity of the tremendous loss for which their gross negligence has been responsible in no little measure. Who would not like to nurse, as Ghanshyam does, a fair patient like Ranjana in Navbharat Pictures' forthcoming release Didi"? RECORDING SOUND ON WIRE New R. C. A. Wire Recorder Plays for 30 minutes using cartridge which simplifies the handling of the Spools of Wire Carrying Speech or Music. Design of New Instrument Spool and Accurately A RADICALLY designed, light- weight wire recorder, which for the first time completely eliminates the complicated handling of the wire by utilizing a simple "plug-in" cartridge, is now being marketed by RCA. Not only is the instrument finding extensive use in business offices for many purposes, but also it provides the home with ideal, inexpen- sive means for recording favorite radio programs, family gathering or the sounds of the baby's first words. Housed in a streamlined, black plas- tic cabinet with disappering carrying handle, the new recorder weighs less than 25 pounds with cartridge and microphone, and is simple enough to be operated by a youngster. Intended for use in offices, schools, studios, broadcast stations, homes, or wher- ever record of voices or music is desired, the recorder has only three simple controls, and reproduces both speech and music with excellent fidelity. The "plug-in" cartridge, outstand- ing feature of the instrument, records up to half an hour of speech or music on its more than half a-mile of stain- less-steel-covered brass wire, and may be operated to permit immeiiate play- back without tedious rewinding. Un- touchsi by human hands, the wires wind, unwind, and rewind themselves, permitting the operator to record a 6peech or musical selection of any for Office and Home — Permits Quick Change of Wire Controlled Playbacks with Tone of High Quality length up to 30 minutes, and to return to the exact starting point on the wire for immediate playback. Has Accurate Timing Device Another innovation in a low-cost recorder, is a timing device calibrated in minutes and fractions of minutes which permits the user to determine the exact locations of recordings on the wire- Still another advance in the RCA wire recorder is its automatic "erasing" feature. Without requiring a separate operation to "clean" previous material off the wire, the recorder automatically erases previous sounds as a new record- ing is being made. In quality of sound, the recorder covers the dominant frequency range for music, viz., from 100 to 5000 cycles per second. Offered as "Complete Package'' The new recorder is being offered as a "complete package", with all equipment for both recording and in- stantaneous playback included. In addition to the plug-in cartridge, the recorder-reproducer unit contains a three- watt high-gain amplifier, a constant-speed motor to drive the wire, a five-inch permanent magnet speaker, and an electro-magnetic unit. The RCA " Aerodynamic Microphone " which comes with the equipment, is complete with seven feet of cable and plug for connection to the input jjck of the record-reproducer. A connection is also provided for external speaker for higher qual reproduction of music or for feedi the output of the amplifier to a lar§ auditorium-type speaker. The ease of operation and hig fidelity features of the recorder ma its usefulness practically unlimited the educational field. Potential u& include teachers of public speaki speech correction, and foreign lan ages. Clergymen and other publ: speakers will find the device ideal rehearsing sermons and speeches; physicians for recording psychia' and other types of interviews, business offices, the unit is ideal recording conferences, especiaB where discussions are of a technkMi nature not easily handled by stenW graphers, and for recording sales talBl which can then be mailed on the easW mailed plug in-cartridge for playbafll in distant branch offices. In addition, a device called an Ujt duction transformer can be readily il> ll stalled to permit the practical rflffi cording of telephone conversations, mm. this way, calls can be recorded in twfa, absence of executives from their officdj-u! Other uses of the recorder inclu recording testimony of witnesses f in court use; as a check on rendition* 1 singers and instrumentalists; in coi mercial recording studios and reporting newspaper on-the-sf interviews for newspapers. (Jn this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month — some anxious an^ several frivolous — it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treated in an informative and humorous strain and no offence is meant to anyone.) II! S DESHPANDE (Kamptee) What is the relation between Nature and Art? Art is often the imitation of Nature. Na- ture is God's art, while Art is man's conception of Nature. R MOORTHY (Bombay) Arthur J. Hank is reported to have said that he quite satisfied with himself. How many in the industry ean say that of themselves? In England there is only one Rank- In India we have rank and file perfectly self satisfied. INDRANI (Madras) Is college education necessary for sirls? Yes, to meet college boys on their own level- What do you think of Indian girls who bob cir hpir these days? They love the barber. My friend smokes only one cigarette daily, ill it affect her lungs? irjehan hits a new high with her songs in "Mir/a |hiban'\ Famous Pictures' current release at the Lamington. That's insulting a cigarette. How do you answer silly questions? In a siUy manner. Being silly is certainly not the monopoly of the readers. I have equal right to be silly when necessary. RAMESH KUMAR (Bombay) Why do our Indian Home Guards wear Euro- pean dress'' In our Indian dress they lost India 150 years ago- Now they have taken the costume of the conquerors. Are these Home Guards really good guards? They will run home faster than you and me. ThaP& why perhaps they are called so. A S NAIDU (Secunderabad) How can you expect B Muslim to know Hindu- ;sm and produce the picture "Mcerabai" correctly? Syed Fat eh Lai of Prabhat is a Muslim who has produced more Hindu mythological pictures than any Hindu, while many Hindu producers hare butchered Hindu mythology and religious sentiment mercilessly. IIIRALAL N SHAH (Madras) What do you do when your pockets are full? / spend, but thct is such a rare event. H M JAMMADAR (Belgaum) Why do people drink'' When they begin they punctuate leisure, halfway through they punctuate pleasure and in the last stages theu punctuate misery. MISS MOHINI GUL (Kuala Lumpur) Is this statement true, that 'man is a beast'? Not when alone. FIARDET SINGH (Singapore) Is Ashok married9 Which Ashok, Mrhtu or Kumar? Wc liavc two Ashoks in liombc.y. One is the hero of the movies, the other stars in strikes. C M SUVARNA (Bombay) If all the Muslim producers leave India, will there be any lo<- to the Indian film industry? The screen would loose its vigour, imagi- nation and enterprise- P. C WESLEY (Gorakhpur) Why are you interested in answering questions? 17 WEST PAKISTAN - SHAHNAZ PICTURES, LAHORE. BENGAL :-MITTRA. FILMS, Club Road, MUZA;FFARPUR. EAST PUNJAB - SWARN PICTURES, Hari Palace, JULLUNDUR. OVERS EAS - WASSIAM UL OSAM ULL FOR SOUTH ONLY - R. K, FILMS. 512, COLLEGE STREET, Matunga, BOMBAY PHONE 602 1 5 e, 1948 FILM INDIA nmala is shocked in her sick bed in a hospital by nething: conveyed to her by Prithvi Raj in "Azadi- Rah-Par"', Hindustan Kalamandir's maiden pro- duction. Why are the politicians fond of lecturing? Don't ask why in this world. Has freedom become beneficial to poor people? so, how? They are in the news every day as argu- ments to arrogate power and misuse it on the other poor ones. Why is it that modern women do not like to re children? 1 Children have to be fed and educated. It takes money to do so- Children can't grow on mere love. A. BADRUDDIN (Mangalore) How is it that a person who celebrates hia ;hday enjoys it, receiving presents from friends. Jn it is more proper for him to feel sorry because more year of his life is gone and he is nearer end0 Anything that takes a person necrer his end must be enjoyable because after the end there is an eternal life of peace. How much peace do we really get in our present existence? K. VISWANATH (Bangalore) Are you an egotist? A superfluous question. What is it that entitles you to be the editor of raindia"? The talent that makes you people buy "filmindia" for 14 long years. NIRMAL KUMAR (Kanpur) Which is better: to give a rupee to a beggar or to see an Indian fiim? In either case it is encouraging beggars- Is there no female monarchy anywhere in this vast universe? Oh yes! All over the universe — in every home. Who made the women prostitutes? Men. B W JAMES (Gorakhpur) Can a poor man become the Prime Minister of India, if he has Nehru's brain? No. India is still class conscious. It will take many years before the poor man gets his turn. BULO T HARISINGHANEY (Thana) I think it must be great fun to serve on the Film Censor Board- One can see all the pictures without spending even a single pie. / sympathize with the Censors for the tor- ture they have to go through seeing hundreds of Indian pictures during the year. Do you ever expect women to behave logically? I don't- Their sex is all the logic- What happens when ethics begin to intrude in politics? We pay for the bullets that kill us. What is your opinion about us, the Sind re- fugees? // you had left Sind ivhen I told you, you would not have been so bedly off. Sindhis are an enterprising race and they should establish new towns in the interior of the country, in- stead of crowding an already overcrowded city. KAMTA PRASAD (Cawnpore) What is your advice to Muslim producers and Hindu financiers? Need the latter stake their money on the former? Money has neither caste nor community nor have money lords- A C. CHANDRASEGARY (Kuala Lumpur) Were you the first to receive when God distri- buted sense? My readers must have been the first As I answer their questions, I come after them. DHAIRYASHIL PAWAR (Bombay) After experience of 43 years, in which commu- nity of India would you like to be born? Hindu again and always. H G KRISHNAMURTY (Mysore) When do women look old? When men lose interest in them. 19 / I 9r ^' ^0 ■ /a / ll ae, 1948 FILM INDIA |)GESH CHANDRA WHIG (New Delhi) ( What has become of Baby Nur Jehan? She started dropping babies of her own. i SYED AHMED (Bangalore) If bravery and brotherhood have to be learnt fra Muslims, what is to be learnt from Hindus? Tolerance, generosity, humanity and chi- valry. Muslims believe in the brotherhood of I Islam. One has to be a Muslim to enjoy that brotherhood. I Y BHANDARKAR (Indore) What is this Hindu Raj' after all? / don't know. I guess it will be a kingdom || without the beard — a kingdom in which cows I will control the traffic and goats will run the ji dairies while ministers will officiate at mar- I riages- t G. S NARASIMHA MURTHY (Salem) I What is that which a man of lakhs lacks? 1 The man part of him- MS. RANEE PAUL (Colombo) I What is the difference between a hug and a Ueeze? The first is a general gesture, the second a I personal one. MHANLAL M CHANDIRAMANI (Nagpur) AVhen and why a woman becomes wild? When she sees a rival without the chance vl of competing. ISS LEELA PANDE (Lucknow) f Who is getting more benefit out of "filmindia": yi or your readers? , The readers. There is twenty-five years of ' reading and struggle behind what I write. Rea- ders get all that in two rupees. GS. NANDE (Sambalpur ) I What is your opinion about the division of Restine between the Arabs and the Jews? You always need two to play one against l| the other. I I How do you like the re-distribution of provin- H according to linguistic basis'? It has administrative advantages provided ni the scheme does not provoke provincialism. MiS VIJAYMALA CHITNAVIS (Bombay) II Do you think it is necessary for a girl to be a Huate? Yes, it helps her to show off in the drow- ning rooms in a crowif of nit-wits and ichhota' m\ whiskeys. V'S PONS ANIAH (Mercara) III have resolved to remain a spinster. But my M'nts worry me. What advice do you give me in ft connection? Get married when you can. Later on you will have to marry whatever comes along — usually the wrong man. Though in reality lovers do not meet in jungles very often, why do the lovers in movies meet there? Film directors like the heroines to go to the jungles, far away from the tricks of the producers. When a pretty girl rejects a boy as her life partner, just because of his mahogany colour, what should the boy do? Get a mahogany maid for himself and for- get the white doll K. T. RAMACHAR (Anantapur) When Rajaji pleaded for Pakistan in 1942, the whole nation called him a traitor and what not. But now? Xow other patriots have become traitors and killed their own people. MAD AN LAL S SOLANKI (Jodhpur) Art for art's sake or art for people's sake? The man who once advertised "Art for people's sake", has changed his people. Film art is merely for money's sake. What is the capacity of your stomach? / have digested the abuse of 60,000 film people for twenty-five years- MISS G RAJU (Madanapalle) In most of the Indian pictures the heroine gets married to the hero. Why? Then should she marry some one from the audience? Age teaching devotion to youth— Sudha Rao and rurnima Chaudhary at the temple threshold in Shanti Picture's first production "Kuchh Naya". I 21 We have pleasure in announcing that we have succeeded in being able to present some of the masterpieces of Russian art of films. Our people had very few occasions to see the progress made by Russians in production of films. We wish to present to the Indian people some of the best Russian films both in Black & White and in colour. Such technique and colours you will have never seen even in other contemporary film productions. SOVEXPORTFiLM * MOSCOW * I. GlifflKfl:- We therefore request you to see these master- pieces when they are shown in your Town and judge for yourself the present advancement the) have made in this field. ( The Great Russian Composer ) wift Sub-Titles in ENGLISH 14_REELS ! ONE Reel of "WINTER SPORTS IK RUSSIA " in Russian colour with com' mentary in English. 2PIHHH mmu mmmmm (A Comedy full of Laughs& Gags) witr rlRST UUUUE9- Sub-Titles inENGLISH 9_REELS * B "BiiB THREE Reels of "LIFE OF PLANTS", £ beautiful topical in colours with English commentary. 3. Souiet Reus Reels Qeneral Agents o/SOVEXPORTFILM-MOSCOW for INDIA, BURMA, CEYLON & PAKISTAN:— DIAMOND PICTURES LTD SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Grams : BOXOFFICE Phone : 43400 fane, 1948 PILMlNDt A p. C. BHAGIA (Bombay) Why are many papers of Pakistan carrying fmt propaganda against the Indian Dominion? That is the war of nerves before the war of arms. Why are the foreign correspondents carrying Ifra propaganda against Indians and why doesn't the Indian government check them? With Pandit Jawaharlal at the top the present Indian government suffers from inter- nationalism. The foreign correspondents have therefore become pet boys of the state. And pets sometimes bite- V. PRAKASH (New Delhi) Why are actresses ever changing their eye- brows? Probably they require different eyebrows for different winks. What is the difference between the love of a (spinier and that of a wife? The love of a wife is warm like a meal. Thct of a spinster is like the warmth of a I blanket. The first one enters the heart while the otf.er warms up only the extremities. Which 'ism' do you think will predominate in Pakistan? After a quick revolution, Communism will be the creed of Pakistan. Communism has many seeds of Islamic teachings and one day you will hear of the Nawabs disappearing from the horizon- What is the difference between a Hindu wife and a Muslim one? Among the poor, they are about the same bcr daily bath and the red 'tikka' on the fore- head. In the upper classes, the Muslim wife sits on the sofa, prepares pan and waits for the "Xawab Saab", while the Hindu wife, however rich, runs the home, cooks, cleans and keeps accounts. What is your opinion about your readers? J have perhaps the most intelligent crowd of readers a journalist can hope to have. RAVI DUTTA (Cawnpore) What do you propose to do with Jairaj, when he becomes an old bull? All old bulls become film directors- Why are Rajkamal Kalamandir's records never broadcast on AIR? What's there to broadcast in them — nei- ther music nor a. song. ROZAY NAQAY (Lucknow) "Barking dogs seldom bite". How far is it true tin case of Master Tara Singh? Ask the Pakistanis how Tara Singh proved the proverb wrong. If there is no poor, there will be no rich. What will be there then? The Communist- Salvi tries to look imposing with his moustache and glasses in "Mandir", Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden picture directed by the late Vinayak K P DAMODARAN NAYAR (Calicut) Now that Sushila Rani has become Mrs- Patel, will you allow her to act in motion pictures? She was Mrs. Patel during i'Gvalan". MISS VINODINI CHOUDHARI (Bombay) Is it true that fear of film goondas has com- pelled you to buy a revolver? / usually try to get things which I am told are very difficxdt to get. ThaVs my nature. The weapon I have is rusting now. Film goondas belong to my family and I can't be scared of them. Don't you think day by day women are prov- ing themselves superior to men in every walk of life? Not as a race because women have less opportunities and nature has provided a brake to their ambitions by giving them the responsi- bility of the human cradle. But many a woman I have met has been shades more intelligent than the men I know. R A RAO (Mangalore) Why are lady candidates offered a higher basic salary for their jobs? They need money for expensive toilet articles. KRISHNA DAS SHARMA (Nagpur) What light do these matrimonial advertise- ments throw on the state of society as such? That there is hoarding in certain places and shortage in others and that the distribu- tion is not well regulated- 23 For Sheer Entertainment - * - but It's not a Miracle but a Movie M< GLAMOUR ! ROMANCE ! ! & THRILLS MUSIC ! ACTION ! ! & DRAM> DAWOODBHOY ESOOFAL Presents RAJA MOVIETONE'S Musical Extravaganza DHARKA] Featuring -ZAHUR RAJA & JYOTI # I & MURAD & CHANDRIKA ^hirectsJ % -ZAHUR RAJA Apply for following Territorial rights, U.P., Delhi, East Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, West Punjab I TO DAWOODBHOY ESOOFAl 18, Doctor Street, BOMBAY 9. US ZAUUR ftA> ne, 1948 •TAN DAS (Kanpur) 1 Who is your favourite Congress leader? Jawaharlal Nehru. He is so impulsive and emotional that his very breath is honest. I like I even his temper. There is no guile and design in it. R RISHEE (New Delhi) Why does each and every contemporary of jrs call you a 'blackmailer"? That is a matter of personal devotion and popxdarity. Do you too believe that actor Prithviraj is a •feet gentleman, that is, does not smoke and nk? Prithviraj smokes but does not drink and he is a gentleman. Even gentlemen smoke and drink, though we have prohibition in this country. PARTHASARATHY (Secunderabad Dn.) Of all film editors, you are the only man who preciates Morarji Dosai. How is it that you dif- from other people? Aff. Morarji has done good work in film censorship so far. I don't know the man but I like his work. It is the work that matters. A. ABRAHAM (Bombay) My girl friend quarrels with me more often an not. What is the remedy, please? She is heading for marriage. Punish her by marrying. her bridal apparel Dulari is quite charming in iunsundari", Ajit Pictures' maiden Gujarati social. FILM INDIA A scene of a dance duet in Mohan Pictures' forth- coming: picture ' Jaduj Shehnai". A V ANNAMALAI (Ranchi) When a Hindu actress marries a Muslim actor or vice versa, what religion does the mixed couple follow9 Like money sex has no religion. The Indian Union resolved to indianise the Indian army. But now, the Union wants to retain Bome British officers in the army. What is your opinion? There must be some one at least to show US how to handle a gun, leave alone firing a bullet from it. During British raj, Mahatma Gandhi had pro- posed that the highest salary in India should be Rg. 500|- Why is it not carried now? On five hundred rupees a month, you can't give a parti/ to the Mountbattens or travel with three daughters on ambassadorial jobs. S. SHARMA (Jodhpur) Has the film industry done anything towards the miserable refugees? The producers qave 73 thousand rupees to Vallc.bhbhai and prayed for some relief from the Censors. R SHARADA DEVI (Bangalore) What are the feelings of a person after the first kiss? You should tell me- My first kiss is tu-cnty-five years old and has grown whiskers by now- J N BHATTACHARJEE (Bombay) Can Maulana's efforts to dissolve all commu- nal organizations in India be of any value? 25 .ne. 1948 FILMINDIA ishok Kumar and Rehana hawk little trinkets on street pavements in "Sajan", Filmistan's picture running at Novelty. Maulaiia is a spent force. He echoes only Congress slogans. The Muslims of India re- quire a new dynamic leader to rally them under a new national banner. IISS GITA MEHROTRA (Cawnpore) "A woman is the shadow of a man". What do 'ou think r.bout this? A woman must be something more than that- Men don't get scared of their own shadows. What is it that you appreciate in Begum Para? Para has brains, education and figure- When do you feel ejigry? There is no when to my temper. Any time is good time and any thing is good thing. My temper is my greatest vice. If Nehru is made the King of India would you ike to he his Prime Minister? Xo. I don't like to sit at the feet of human beings. The best of them have dirty feet. •IRS DULARI VARSHNEYA (Aligarh) I have generally found heroines and side hero- pea in pictures addressing their husbands as 'swa- my', 'nath', which is not at all a common practice hese days! It is only in pictures that icives are so pedantically polite. I icould divorce the ivo- man who cglls me "Swamy". r KEJRIWALA (KanpuiJ) How can the film producers serve the nation? They can rule the nation only if they knew how. B CHAKRAVERTY (Kasganj) To whom should Madras belong — Tamils or Andhrr.s? See if two bipeds can make a quadruped and turn the province into a big zoo. DEODURG G K (Sholapur) Do you know what was the mystery behind Rashtrapathi Acharya Kripalani's resignation? Give it in a nut shell. From a clapper, he became a critic of his colleagues and ivas blessed out with lot of lip sympathy. D KRISHNA (Kuala Lumpur) I am very keen on seeing you. Are you at all anxious to see me? Xot a bit! I believe what I see and I have been cheated so many times that I don't want to see anything I shouldn't believe. Rs 500 - IN 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH The following prizes are awarded every month for questions which are considered in- teresting or elicit interesting replies in the "Editor's Mail". 1st Prize: Rs 100; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50; 4th Prize: Rs. 40; 5th Prize Rs: 30 and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs. 10 each. A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. Questions should be neatly written or typed if possible. Unless the letters are signed, they won't be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor's decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no correspondence will be entertained. The names of the prize-winners will be announced in "filmindia" every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Order. PRIZE WINNERS FOR JUNE 1st Prize: Rs. 100 to V. Prakash (New Delhi); 2nd Prize: Rs. 80 to Nirmal Kumar (Kanpur); 3rd Prize Rs. 50 to S. Indrani (Madras); 4th Prize: Rs. 40 to Bulo T. Hari- singhaney (Thana); 5th Prize: Rs 30 to P. Y. Bhandarkar (Indore) and 20 consolation prizas of Rs. 10 each to the following: — M. S. Deshpande (Kamptee); V. R. Moorthy (Bom- bay); Ramesh Kumar (Bombay); Hiralal N. Shah (Madras); H. M. Jammadar (Belgaum): M. A. Badruddin (Mangalore) ; Yogesh Chan- dra Whig (New Delhi) ; V. Syed Ahmed (Ban- galore >; K. G. S. Narasimha Murthy (Salem); Mia, Pons Aniah (Mercara) ; Madan Lai S. Solanki (Jodhpur); G. C. Bhagia (Bombay); Miss Vinodini Choudhari (Bombay); R. R. Rishee (New Delhi) ; A. V. Annamalai (Ran- chi); M. K. Vishwanath (Bangalore); R. Sharada Devi (Bangalore) ; Miss Gita Mehro- tra (Cawnpore) ; Mrs. Dulari Varshneya (Ali- garh) and B. Chakraverty (Kasganj). Money Orders are being sent to the prize winners. 27 These FOUR Saw the Dawn of Freedom over Fear and Superstition Director : WINAYAK'S Most Timely Creation of Ihe Living Preseni .... BUOOMRODDI 1^1 PRODUCTIONS BH ©OMR a DDI PRODUCTIONS TALE OF INDIA OF TODAY STARR 1SG: — SHANTA APTE ( Courtesy : S. A. Concerns ) SHAHU MODAK SALVI • J A I M A L A LATA - BABY NANDA SAMSON - J AN Kl DAS and W I N A Y A K •ft * are, sprinkle it all over you to ive you that nice, fresh feeling. Be generous with talcum pow- er, particularly in places where lie skin is likely to rub, and it ill reward you amply during the dayt Take no notice of those who say talcum clogs up the pores. It doesn't do that any more than ordinary face powder, but it 'will' neutralize the acid in perspiration, prevent your skin from chafing and keep you looking and smelling sweet and cool. LOOK AFTER YOUR FEET In hot weather your feet will respond particularly well to a dabbing with some spirit lotion and plenty of talcum powder, and that is half the battle of keeping the rest of you fresh too. Sprinkle talcum in your stockings, if you wear any, or into your shoes and undies. And, talking about undies, bear in mind that cotton or rayon is cooler than silk. And now into your dress. Choose cool colours of course, like pale blue, green or other delicate pastel tones or perhaps a candy- striped or polka-dotted material or one of those lovely new, clear prints. And loose-fitting clothes are cooler than tight ones. A minimum of make-up will suffice in the summer. Just a light touch of foundation cream (keep your face creams firm by stand- ing the jars in cold water) and a. dusting of powder to tone, in with your now slightly darker skin. Keep your lipstick a clear bright red or a rose pink because cyclamen shades are not so be- coming in bright sunshine and with tanned complexions. Avoid heavy mascara and other eye make-up which looks freaky ! in the sun. Keep your hair off your face and neck as much as you can. If it is long and worn in a page boy, tie it back with a Mozart bow. or a large clip. It will need washing more often than it did in the win- ter, and, if it is inclined to get very dry in the warm weather, use a touch of brilliantine or, better still feed the roots with a little oil the night before you wash it. GYPSY SOFIA IS A PLEASURE TO WATCH IN PRODUCER DIRECTOR RAF1Q RAZVl'S with MUMTAZ, K. RAVINDRA, RAJA, MEHDI RAZA MUNSI MUNNAQQA, ABBAS, SHANTI, MADHOK NEELAM, PRAKASH & ATHAR ! A O IV RE A 10 I FOR RELEASE! Story:- J. B MAHANT Dialogue-Songs:- AB ID GULREZ Mws»c:-BASHIR KHAN For Particulars Contact ORIENT FILMS C/o Orient Sound Studios, KALINA — SANTA CRUZ — Bombay, 25. 31 For Territorial WghlB Apply ': — GIPU PICTICCS, CHANDNI CHOWK, DELHI. OUR WOMAN'S PAGE Points To Watch When You Wear Black By Frances Sidney Some women wear black because they like it. others wear it because for a limited wardrobe it is the most useful basic colour for any outfit. Whichever is your own reason, take heed of a few lictle hints to help show off black to its best advantage. Black can be becoming or it can be dowdy. In most cases the effect is reached not through the garment itself but through the way it is worn. Some things should be done, others should he avoided. Firstly, whet should be done when you wear black. Wear sparkling jewellery — and in tiiis case glass or paste "dia- monds" can bp just as effective as the genuine article. Accentuate your normal make- up— or you may find people ask- ing solicitously about your health Wear dark stockings and. where possible, plftin court *hoes. When you want to brighten your ensemble, wear pastel-shade glo- ves. Brush your hair with a brush soaked in brilliantine and keep your coiffure looking sleek and shiny Wear a black slip or petticoat. WHAT TO AVOID Do Not: Wear powder or make-up of any sort which contain^ any de- gree of yellow, or the effect of the blr.ck will be to make you look sallow. Omit tn brush powder off the shoulders of your dress. Fail to m\v on a missing button just because you think, in your hurry, that it will not show on black. One great advantage of wearing black is that you can indulge your fancies in the matter of jewellery — real or imitation. Black is the one colour on which trinkets can be worn without tear of seeming to be "overdone" If your entire outfit is black you can interchange jewellery on dress, hat and gloves. Forge! t<> wipe away traces of powder on your neck; it may not Deem untidy when you step out, but it will certainly transfer it- self in a >hort time to the collar of your dress. H apparently indicates a quarrel between Ranjana and Ghanashyam when they sit back to back even on a bed in "Didi", Navbharat Pictures' maiden production Veena Kohli in a pleasant reverie in Chitra Kala Mandir's maiden production. 'Roop Rekha". 33 BHRRA 1NDU , KtSARI V1N0D ■Songs I Pt. BHARAT VYAS Pt. RATAN PIYA BHARATI DEVI For Particulars contact;- T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS, Laxmi Studios, Amboli Road, Andheri, Bombay. In full bloom of youth and its charms, Indn leads the cast in T. K. Screen Classics' maiden production "Batohi", directed by Kumar Menon. PRABHAT? /mxr AND LATEST w hub 010, ftams/m ALL INDIA PICTURES' FAMOUS PICTli 'mm* Mourn KB MINI *6UMl *SMSHh HEnflMJI +P£l/fim -KM G0P£*Mt76toMTl .'AMHff THAKUR fitooucf*: p.N.AROPA WtiTt*P£Vfim A.BAHHB NAROfs ART CONCERNS' iLPANA PICTURES' mr/m im#r>6. JAGIRDAR ten HOMED ™juutr MtcW./. AKMTAR HU5SE1M FAMOUS PICTURE mar AND LATEST mtcmer O. P. DUTT *nm$Pt* D.D.KASHV/ 'Ut!]C8 LTi SANDHURST BRIE B 0 M BAY CNAVBHARAT PICTURES Presents I ID II ID 1 a Social Musical Extravaganza Starring;- RANJANA * SHOBHARANI ★ GHANSHYAM with CHARUBALA * PANDEY * AN AND * ARJUN it AMRIT SHAH & CUCKOO Sc^n^ay & 2Wo5u£;-PANDIT GIRISH -&«5*.-INDIWAR & DEEPAK deduction ^t^.-JASHBHAI PATEL ed the first real box-office hits for ;his studio — a glittering series of 'Bandhan", "Naya Sansar", Mhoola". After producing tho ecord-breaking "Kismet", the lukerjee team left the Bombay alkies to found their own Filni- stan, and then began the era of Devika Rani as the undisputed "ont roller of Production. The evika era produced another Jolden Jubilee Hit in "Basant", iesidcs a number of wishy-washy )ictures like "Hamari Baat" and 'Jwar Bhata". With fanfare and rumpets of the "Great Mughal" irrived Shiraz Ali Hakim in place )f Devika Rani, but could not ;ven complete his own picture and landed himself and the company in debt. The only good thing he did was to engage Nitin Bose to produce "Milan", though the pic- ture was completed after the end of his regime. With the exit of Shiraz came the era of Vadilal Chatarbhuj Gandhi whose first Controller of Production was the commercial artist Meghani. Now, to complete the cycle, the former Bombay Talkies star Ashok Ku- mar and the former Bombay Talkies sound recordist S. Vachha have returned to take charge of the productions of their old studio. The first picture of this now re- gime is "Majboor". UNUSUAL THEME It is evident, that the producers never expected "Majboor" to be anything better than a B class picture, good as a stop-gap only, while better and more ambitious pictures could be planned. The dual task of writing and directing was entrusted to a comparative new-comer, Nazir Ajmeri, who once used to be a character actor in Bombav Talkies. His directorial "MAJBOOR" Producers: Bombay Talkies, Ltd Language: Hindustani Music: Ghulam Haider Story and Dialogue: Nazir Ajmeri Photography: Roque M. Layton Audiography: Sherali R. Pabani Cast: Shyam, Munawar Sultana, Indu, Sohanlal, Dar Kash- miri, etc. Released at: Capitol and Kamal, Bombay Date of Release: 14th May 1948 Directed by: NAZIR AJMERI Yakub is unmoved by Sulochana Chatterjee's bewilderment in "Veena" Jagat Pictures maiden production. debut was in "Dawat", a cheap imitation of "Charlie's Aunt" followed by "Keemat" for Kar- dar which was slightly better and vet nothing to write home about. One could hardly expect him to be asked to produce a Bombay Talkies' picture, immediately fol- lowing Nitin Bose's production of Gurudev Tagore's "Milan". And yet writer Nazir Ajmeri turned up with a clever, original and daring theme— a Muslim' boy •""light up as a Hindu, and un- aware of his original birth, falling in love with a Hindu girl, then coming to know of the wall of re- ligious differences that stands be- tween them, rendering him "help- less" (Majboor). This is the first time the hitherto completely taboo subject of inter-communal love has been broached on the Indian screen, and one must, give credit to the writer Nazir Ajmeri for handling the ticklish situa- tions very delicately and hinting :,t the implications in dignified and subtle dialogue. But, either for fear of annoying the orthodoxy oi either community, or because of his inherent intellectual feeble- no s, the writer-director has fail- ed to give a dynamic treatment to (his unusual tragic theme. The story is apt to get lost in a double series of boy-meets-girl situations as two pairs of lovers are invol- ved. Nor, as a director, has Nazir Ajmeri succeeded in giving pace and punch to his cinematic nar- rative which becomes dull and 4? FILMINDI A June, 19 patchy at places. There is an over-abundance of footage wasted in the earlier part of the film to 'introduce' the two girls., and as the situations do not even amuse or entertain, it is a sheer waste of celluloid. Even at this stage a little pruning may be helpful. SHYAM IMPRESSES While the writer-director must share the credit for the charac- terization of Chandu, the mis- chievous village youth, it is Shyam who wins not only our admiration for his acting but also our sympathy for the role that he plays. He has to cover a very wide range of moods and expres- sions—all the way from frivolity to intense pathos— but he comes out with flying colours. Shyam so far has been classed among the 'promising' artistes of the Indian screen, but one never expected him to be capable of such versa- tilitv. With "Majboor", he makes a bid for the front-rank of Indian stardom. Soon he may replace Mdtilal and Ashok Kumar as the latest matinee idol. Munawar Sultana, as Lalli, Chandu's beloved, is a good artiste but she gets little scope for her talent— except in the last scene when she gives a memorably clas- sic expression. Indu, as Bala, the foster-sister of Chandu, proves to be pleasantly photogenic though she has a tendency to over-act and to exhibit her youthful cur- ves. Her diction also betrays a touch of crudity. The new-comer, Sohanlal, who plays Bansi, the lover of Bala, is too anaemic and vegetarian-looking to impress as a hero. He will take time to be 'groomed' as an actor. We forget who plays the role of the gigantic wrestler but he has a formidable personality. Darr Kashmiri, as the Jagirdar, is his old stereotyped self. WANTED BETTER PICTURES FROM B T. So far as music is concerned., this is not one of Ghulam Haider's "hits". Barring a couple of tune«, the songs arc just routine stuff, and certainly expected a far better Bcorc from a veteran hit-maker like him. The "Angrezi Chhora Cbala gaya" song, however, will definitely click as it has a popular and timely political slant as well as a lively, entertaining tune. The group folk dance composed and led by Prem Dhawan is an excellent piece, refreshingly different from, and better than, the usual filmic dances. One only wishes the scenarist-director had more closely integrated it in the pattern of the plot and used it to heighten the climax. As it is, it has only an incidental entertain- ment value. While Nazir Ajmeri's directicj may be described as "adequate"-! not bad but not very good — , ai the technique is of a fairly got standard, one must note that tl picture does not fully come up the standard expected from studio with the Bombay Talki reputation. As average entertai) ment, it is quite good. But tl Ashok- Vacha team will have give still better pictures to revh the old glory of the studio th Himansu Rai built. NC MITCHELL I1CK6R0UND PROJECTOR " * FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS WRITE TO:— A high-precision instrument this Mitchell Studio Camera (BNC) was developed to meet every requirement for perfect photographic reproducton. Typically Mitchell in design and construction, it incorporates features found in no other camera. The Suidio Camera's silent operation is due to perfect sound-insulation of the mo\ing parts. Mitchell Studio Model Cameras are used on Sound Stages throughout the world. £mb3 DEVELOPING & P R I N T I N 6 MACHINES, STUDIO LIGHTS, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. 16 MM PROFESSIONAL FAZALBHOY LIMITED 16, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY. Of/ices of -CALCUTTA - MADRAS • LAHORE • NEW DELHI • KARACHI 4^ JR REVIEW t Last A Clean Picture From Ranjit f Piya Ghar Aja" Is An Unpretentious Little Production Lt is seldom that a Horse-brand jture from Ranjit is free from Ices of cheapness and vulgarity. Iiya Ghar Aja" is one such rare [ture and, since the general Lduction policy of the studio liains the same, the credit must Ito writer-director PrahJad Dutt, •e an ace special effect* expert s special effects in "Dnyanesh- r" were acclaimed even in Ame- i), then the director of Pancho- costly abortion, 'Shirin Farhad', i, since that set-back, on the njit payroll as director of all-budget pictures. Being an icated and enterprising techni- n, Prahlad has tried to get out the usual Ranjit rut and large- succeeded. But while he has de a clean and wholesome pic- e, somewhat in the Bombay Ikies style, he has made it her tame and inconsequential, thing much happens in "Piya ar Aja" — neither in the line of comedy gags though a few feeble ones are attempted, nor in the line of emotional melodrama which also has been tried. The theme of jealousy (the original title "Jalan"' was more appro- priate1) aleo has not been deve- loped to its full dramatic possibi- lities. A PROMISING YOUNG ARTISTE The story concerns the usual boy-meet-girl situations between a medical student (Karan Dewanl and a lawyers niece (Meena Kumari) who get married without the consent (but also without the opposition) of their families, and the complications as a consequ- ence of the intensely jealous na- ture of the hero's sister-in-law who wanted him to marry her own sister. But everything is in a minor key and nothing very exciting or purposeful emerges. Among the artistes, Karan De- "PIYA GHAR AJA" Producers: Shree Ranjit Movietone Co. Language: Hindustani Story, Scenario and Dialogue: Prahlad Dutt Songs: Pandit Indra. I. C. Kapoor and A. D. Ashk Music: Bulo C Rani Photography: D. C. Mehta Audiography: G. K. Mehta Cast: Meena Kumari, Karan Dewan, Aga Jan, S N. Tripa- thi, etc. Released At: Central Cinema, Bombay Date of Release: 23rd April, 1948 Directed by: PRAHLAD DUTT wan looks pleasant as usual — and that's about all. Agha Jan is boisterous as a clownish medico but somehow his comedy misfires this time. Meena Kumari. a new- comer (this is her second picture, we believe) , however, impresses one as a promising artiste. She has youth, a naive expression, average good looks and much verve and vivacity. In time to come she may turn out to be a real good artiste. But. meanwhile, she seems to have been taught by someone that '"acting" consists of perpetually blinking her eyes, over-working her eye-brows all the time. It is apparent in the picture that she is working hard to "act'', to register the appro- priate expression, but the tendency to depend on this frantic "eye work" needs to be discouraged if she has to blossom into a real artiste. Prahlad Dutt reveals quiet competence as a director and gives occasional flashes of his "special effects" (the animated photograph of Agha Jan really tickled us) but he has to be far more careful in the selection of story and preparation of script if he is to make a name as a direc- tor of some importance. Iinawar Sultana and Muradkhan are having an unpleasant domestic i nicn l in "Meri kahani," Super Team Federal Productions' maiden social directed by Cameraman Keki Mistry. 47 Territorial Rights : — DELHI U P. EAST PUNJAB - - JAGAT TALKIE DISTRIBUTORS, DELHI. BENGAL - - AMBICA FILM EXCHANGE, BENTINCK STREET, CALCUTTA. C. P CI.-- BHARATI FILM DISTRIBUTORS, INDORE. WEST PUNJAB & N. W. F. P. - - FRIENDS FILM SERVICE, LAHORE. SIND & BALUCHISTAN - - ALLIED TRADING CORPORATION LTD., KARACHI. For Remaining Territories Apply .— JAGAT PICTURES, SHREE SOUND STUDIOS, DADAR, BOMBAY. SULOCHRNR CHRTTERJEE REHMRN HEMRVRTI • VEERfl •LEELRMISRR • 6IRDHRRI yakulr axil biswj OUR REVIEW | Two Flops From Filmistan "Do Bhai" Is Silly Nursery Tale 'Leela" The Umpteenth ' Triangle Stuff ' Having achieved an unexpected success with the jubilee runs of 'Sindoor" and "Shehnai" success- vely, the Filmistan bosses proba- cy thought they could afford to ;ive a couple of flops as well, so hat people may not forget that hey are still capable of producing ■heap stuff. Their latest produc- tions, "Do Bhai" and "Leela" ilmost vie with each other in vorthlessness, but it must be said lo the credit of Gyan Mukerji hat in "Leela" he has at least dven a tolerable story, while \Iunshi Dil, who is responsible for )oth the story and the direction )f "Do Bhai" has given the dlliest imaginable nonsense which 'annot pass even as a nursery ale. DO BHAI One finds in "Do Bhai" things hat are improbable and impossi- ile in ordinary life. The picture, lowever, is not based on an an- ient legend, for if such was the 'ase one would believe the prin- cess of a ruling Indian chief get- :ing married secretly to a common nan in the street. Based on a wrong foundation altogether, the rtory of the picture is stupid, illo- gical and boring. Munshi Dil, in his enthusiasm for making it as absurd as possible, has not forgot- "DO BHAI" Producers: Filmistan Ltd. Language: Hindustani Lyrics: Raja Mehdi AH Khan Music: Kumar Sachin Dev Varma Photography: Shankar Narain Audiography: Navin Zaveri Cast: Kamini Kaushal, Ullhas, Rajen Haksar, Paro, etc. Released At: Novelty Cinema, Bombay Date of Release: 2nd April, 1948 Directed by: MUNSHI DIL ten to resort to the old time me- thods of screen story-writing obtaining about 20 years ago in the days of the silent pictures when a screen story usually con- sisted of something of everything — love, warfare, mystery, murder, vendetta, etc. etc. After "Leila Recruit N Renukanath, co Shri B. K Nair, Mazdoor Manzil, Parel, Bombay 12, is 22, has played roles in Telugu as well as Hindustani stage plays and been awarded cups and medals for good acting. Majnu" we definitely expected something better from Munshi Dil, and if he is capable of giv- ing stories like that of "Do Bhai" only, it would be advantageous both to the Munshi and the film industry if he gave up story writ- ing altogether. He has failed equally in direct- ing the picture and in choosing the cast. Ullhas who plays the young man of 22, is too old and too fat and bulky now to play juvenile roles and Rajen Haksar lias perhaps yet to be taught the alphabet of film acting. This boy has wooden features which are incapable of registering ex- pression. When dressed in royal "LEELA" Producers: Filmistan, Ltd. Language: Hindustani Story: Uma Devi Dialogue: Rajendia Shankar Lyrics: G. Nepali and Q. Jalalabadi Music: C. Ramchandra Photography: Shreekant Audiography: J. B. Jagtap Cast: Shobha, Kanu Roy, V. H. Desai, Sunalini Devi, Veera, etc. Released At: Roxy Cinema, Bombay Date of Release: 17th April, 1948 Directed by: D. N PAI robes of the heir-apparent to an Indian state he cuts a sorry figure, but that is quite in keeping with what Vikram Kapoor as the ruler himself looks like — a cowherd of Kathiawar! WERE THE CENSORS SLEEPING? Strangest among the characters is the daughter of the Diwan of the state, played by Paro who gives a few dances with the full- est exhibition of her breasts — dances that would do credit to a "tamasha" girl, but certainly un- becoming the daughter of the highest dignitary of a state. When, however, we look at the Diwan himself and find him resembling a Bombay victoria driver, we can forgive his daughter giving such inviting demonstration of her bubbling youth. We cannot, however, forgive the Censors for passing those dances wherein the exhibition of Paro's mammal glands is carried beyond the limits of decency. The dances are crude, inartistic and almost verging on vulgarity. The picture has a few songs nicely worded and well-set to music and that is the only reliev- ing feature of an otherwise silly, boring and meaningless picture. And while there is nothing to find fault with the technical work, there is nothing worthwhile on the other hand to mention about the performance of any of the artistes — not even Kamini Kaushal, an otherwise intelligent star, who appears to have worked in the 49 A STORY OF HILLS A1ND HEARTS Starring : mm papa BHA&ATBHUSUAN PESSI PATEL AND GEEFA BALI tOHAC RAAT HID A R 5 HA R MA For Territorial rights contact: — VAEMA FIILH 5-B. FERREIRA MANSIONS. MAHIM, BOMBAY 16. 0 Leading a band of young enthusiasts, Shanta Apte proudly holds the National flag in "Mandir", Bhoomraddi Productions' maiden social booked for the Swastik picture without her heart in it. The picture has no box office value and nothing to benefit either the distributors or the exhibitors — least of all the spectators. "LEELA" Altogether different from "Do Bhai" is Filmistan's other pic- ture, "Leela", Gyan Mukcrji's parting kick to the company, un- folding for the ten thousandth time on the screen the hackneyed story of two girls falling in love with the same boy, and each of them resigning the boy in favour of the other in turns— something that never happens to any one in real life. "Leela" is the story of a Za- mindar's son again, this time the zamindar's son Naresh being a doctor of philosophy and a great research scholar devoted to the study of ancient Sanskrit litera- ture. He is sought after by a sophisticated dame, Mrs. Lai, as a suitable match for her daughter Indira, but in her efforts to bring these two together, Mrs. Lai, in- advertently and in spite of her- self, also introduces another girl. Leela, to the scholar and the scholar finds a soft corner in his heart for Leela in preference to Indira. The story then develops in ac- cordance with the usual, unwrit- ten, yet universally accepted code of story writing for the Indian screen. The two rival girls race for the same youth, but as Naresh has already got a leaning towards Leela, she appears to be almost about to win the race when intri- gues and misunderstandings creep in just in time to persuade her to give up the effort and leave the field open to her rival, Indira. At the eleventh hour, however, Leela suddenly comes from obscurity wherein she had disappeared and then it is Indira's turn to make the grand sacrifice and thus there is a victory of "true love" over "arranged matches" and Naresh lives happily ever after with Leela, to pursue his research in ancient Sanskrit literature. The story is simple, unimagi- native and unconvincing. An effort has been made to make it entertaining with the stage sequ- ences played by Shobha and other artistes who go on staging a drama of a magician's daughter and a prince which is both stupid and boring, notwithstanding some good songs and tolerably good dances by Shobha. Kanu Roy playing Naresh, the doctor of philosophy and the re- FILM INDIA search scholar, cuts a sorry figure as the lover who does not know love making. Shobha in the role of Leela, the amateur and after- wards professional stage girl, gives fairly good performance while Veera as Indira fails to impress altogether. Very appropriate performance comes from Agha Jan, playing the proprietor of a professional dramatic company, while V. H. Desai, cast as a Shastri devoted to the study of the scriptures fails to give the humour expected of a veteran comedian. There is no- thing remarkable about the per- formance of any other artiste. The dialogue is tame and stereo- typed. Some of the songs are nicely worded and sweetly tuned but they fail to become catchy. Music is good throughout but does not help the picture which is altoge- ther a mediocre production at the most. It is, however, a clean pic- ture, free from anything nearing vulgarity anywhere and as such safe for all classes of spectators, who, however, may not find much entertainment therein, or any en- lightenment. It is a purposeless picture adding to the vast num- ber of films once seen and readily forgotten and never remembered afterwards. Recruit Tilak Kapoor of 24, Prithvi Raj Road, New Dehi, is 23, 5'-8", has acted in College thcatricles and can sing quite well. 51 ASSOCIATED PICTURES announce- rs imminent release of- taewifftCHi A Hindi Masterpiece based on Saratchan/>Iy for territorial rights to:- RAVINDRA ART PRODUCTIONS, 11, Dwarkadas Mansions, Chamar Bag Road, Parel, BOMBAY. ne, 1918 FILM INDIA apru, Dar Kashmiri and Amanibai appear to be seeking solace in a >uzzled moment from the Mahatma's idol in Jivan Kala Chitra's mai- den production. "Hua Savera". id continues to be boring uni- >rmly till the end. There are several points in the ory impossible to understand, ich as the utter inability of the trmer Bansi to pay his debt to the amindar when his daughter has a ch wardrobe and jewellery which ould be envied by an aristocrat's l ife. It is also difficult to under- tand why Ramesh, who was con- inced of the innocence of Arsi id not make any effort to save |er from fourteen years' impri- Dnment and equally difficult is to inderstand why Ramesh who had aited for 14 long years for Arsi j return from jail after serving er term, instead of straightaway narrying her should engage her s a maid-servant in the house nd go on making love to her se- retly. WHAT ABOUT IT, CENSORS? The only outstanding feature of he picture is the dance by Sharda Asha Posley) who is shown as a ollege girl participating in the allege dramatics. Nowhere has my one yet seen a college girl ;iving such vulgar and nauseat- ng demonstration of her limbs rom the collegians' amateur stage, 't was not so even during the "satanic" British raj. College dra- matics have always been dignified and decent performances with an extraordinary degree of rescrved- ness in acting etc. as they are ge- nerally performed before highly respectable audiences of profes- sors, scholars and ex-students of colleges holding places of honour and respect. Is this dance any in- dication of what college drama- tics would be like in future under the Congress Raj? This dance is an insult to college education and should be forthwith cut out from the picture. Al Nasir and Meena have giv- en very tame, hackneyed and stereotyped performances. The artiste who plays Ashok (presum- ably Ram Lai) has ugly features and repulsive looks and is not at all fit for screen work. The others are just as bad as they could be. No one impresses with his or her performance at any time. A movement of the different limbs of her body by Cuckoo, ac- companied by some noisy music and a boring song which, for courtesy's sake is called dance, is crude and ■vulgar and can never plea?e any one with any taste for art. If it is inserted in the picture to please the pit class spectators, the producers should now be dis- illusioned, for even with such a terrific attraction, the houses were never even half full during the last three of the six weeks' run at the Majestic. The picture has no other dis- tinctive attraction — not even a good dialogue nor a good song. It adds to the vast number of flops in which our film trade abounds. Baby Nanda and Shanta Apte in Bhoomraddi Productions' social, "Mandir", directed by the late Winayak 55 U & T FILMS, Ltd (Bombay) Going ahead with activities in all the different branches of the ndustry, production, distribution hnd exhibition, the M. & T. Films Ltd., are making rapid progress, rheir new studio at Andheri is now completely renovated and Equipped with all the modern re- quirements in machinery and material. Two pictures of the company, 'Delhi Darwaza" and "Ghun- ghroo" which went on the sets in April last are making steady pro- gress under director Aspi Irani and Manibhai Vyas respec- tively. The story of "Delhi Dar- waza" is written by R. S. Cliau- dhari while Mulkraj Bakhri gave the story for "Ghunghroo". Sneh- Iprabha Pradhan, Aga Jan and Wasti are the stars featured in the pictures, and the casta include Imany other well known artistes. One more picture being now produced at the M. & T. Films' ^studio at Andheri is C. R. Pro- ductions' "Phoolzadi" directed by Hari Singh. FAMOUS PICTURES LTD (Bombay) Combining both production and distribution of pictures, in its ac- tivities, this well known concern | is now well ahead with its pro- duction No. 6, yet unnamed, which is being produced under the lead- ership of producer D. D. Kash- yap. Directed by 0. P. Dutt, the picture has a rich cast of artistes like Suraiya, Manorama, Yeshodhara Katju, Gope, Gyani and Rehman. Shooting of All India Produc- tions' social picture "Pugree", is also going on at the Cadell Road Studios. The picture is being produced by Arora and features Kamini Kaushal, Shashikala, Gope, Dixit and Wasti in impor- tant roles. Another picture under production at the studios is a biographical short called "Bapu ki Amur Kahani*', giving some glimpses of Gandhiji's life. "Dhanyawad", Kalpana Pic- tures' maiden social, will soon be released by Famous Pictures. The story for the picture is written by Rai Kinikar, and songs and dia- logue by Ramakant Chowdhary. The cast led by Hansa, includes Jaginlar. Sajjan, Agha and Lalita Pawar. The picture is directed by Jagirdar and photographed by Hardeep. SHANTI PICTURES (Bombay) "Kuchh Naya", produced by Kantilal Acharya and directed by Minu Muzumdar. who also wrote the story and directed the music of the picture, is now completed. This maiden production of the company is reported to be a very good first attempt by all those who have seen trial shows of the picture. It is a novel experiment in many ways, has a novel story, new stars, new technique and new musical tunes, justifying the pic- ture's title. Ramesh Arora and Sudha Rao lead the cast which includes Ramesh Sinha, Purnima Chau- dhary and R. S. Dube with seve- ral other chosen artistes. "Wohi-ka-Wohi", the next pro- duction of the company which went on the sets a few weeks ago, is rapidly progressing under Ninu Muzumdar 's direction. Music for the picture is also entrusted to him and with his flair for novel tunes and newer melodies, Xinu is expected to make a good job of it. SHANTI LOKCHITRA (Bombay) This new producing concern has completed its first production, "Gopinath" starring Raj Kapoor with Tripti Mitra and Latika. Written, produced and directed by Mahesh Kaul, "Gopinath" has a delicate love story as its theme with good songs and drama. The 'Glinka" a Russian picture, to be released through Diamond Pictures Ltd., has many such moments of suspense and dramatic climaxes. 57 MARRIAGE & HANGING GO HAND IN HAIND ? See The Tragic Tale Of The Staunch Followers Of Society Traditions in JJhagwati 'TVoductions' R I V A J ISWARLAL, PARO, MUBARAK ixectEc( Cry: ISWARLAL Shortly to Greet tlie Screen IN THE FINAL STAGE UNDER PREPARATION A PA LA A Historical Romance * SATI NARBADA A Mythological — For Bombay Presidency Bookings — EVERSHINE PICTURES, 169, CHARNI ROAD, BOMBAY 4. From The Land Of Five Rivers Gomes This Musical Masterpiece PAPIHA-RB The Story of Love-lorn Hearts Told in the lilt of Lyrics. Starring: AKHTARI, AMARNATH, ASHA POSLEY A Kuldip Picture. 2Wcta>*; Da wood Chand Shortly to be released. BASANT PICTURES' First Jungle Picture MALA THE MIGHTY Next change at the Taj Talkies — For Bombaij Presidency Bookings — BASANT FILM DISTRIBUTORS 136, GIRGAUM ROAD, BOMBAY 4. one, 1918 FILM INDIA hanta Apte bids goodbye to Shahu Modak and others before being aken to prison as a revolutionary in Bhoomraddi Pictures' "Mandir". oducers are confident about the ccess of their first attempt. (LMISTAN LTD. (Bombay) Their latest release, "Sajan", arring Ashok Kumar with nana is now on the screen of e Novelty and reported to have :hieved good popularity. The xt one, "Shahecd" is booked to : released at the Koxy after the nning picture. "Shahecd" is lmistan's ambitious picture with e story of the 1942 "Quit In- a" movement as its theme and ith a cast of as many as five ars — Kamini Kaushal, Dili]) umar, Chandramohan, Lcela litnis and V. H. Dcsai. Three more pictures are now ider production at the company's udios at Gorcgaon, so far ititled. Two of these are most complete and the third one nearly half way through. The company has been stea- ly producing picture after pic- re and introducing new faces, w directors and new teehni- ins. In its forthcoming pictures jo it is introducing a couple of w artistes. TAN PICTURES (Bombay) 'KajaP' the maiden production this concern was released at >xy last month. The picture is oorted to have been popular at ilcutta, Lahore and Karachi and the company has paid one month's salary as bonus to the technical staff of the Shrcc Sound Studios and some other members to cele- brate its success in those places. Coolies, watchmen and labourers of the studios also received pre- sents in cash. JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) "Vecna", their maiden produc- tion is already completed and censored and is awaiting release. Arrangements for the territorial distribution of the picture are also now completed. A private show of the picture was held in Delhi when press re- presentatives were invited and those who saw the picture are re- ported to have liked it, and feel hopeful about its success. Hema- vati's dances, Yakub's comical antics, good performance by Sulo- chana Chattcrji, Vccra and Reh- man and the musical score provid- ed by Anil Biswas were very much appreciated. The picture will roon be released at a prominent theatre in Bombay. The executives of the company are now busy with the paper work of their production No. 2. DAWOODBHAI ESOOFALI (Bombay) "Dharkan", directed by Zahur Raja and featuring Jyoti, Zahur Raja, Misra etc., released through this firm of distributors, had a good run at Kamal Talkies, Bom- bay and several other key sta- tions. ORIENT SOUND STUDIOS (Bombay) This company's first production entitled "Gulshan" is complete and awaits release. It is reported to be a romantic drama with gypsy background. Produced and directed by Rafiq Razvi, "Gulshan" stars Sofia, Mumtaz, K. Ravindra and Raja in the leading roles. Dialogue and songs of the picture come from the pen of Abid Gulrays. Their second picture, "Jannat" is now nearing completion. With Rehana in the title role and Hamid playing the hero, "Jannat" has a cast containing S. Raj, Anwari and Pratima Malhotra. It is written and produced by M. K. Chhibber and directed by Mur- tuza Changezec, and Hanuman Prashad is directing the music. SHAH PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Their maiden picture, "Do Kaiiyan" in Hindi, is now ready for release. The story of the pic- ture deals with the life of a Dev- dasi. It is written by V. S. Sukh- thankar, the well known Maha- rashtrian writer who wrote the story of Ramshastri. It is direct- ed by Raja Paranjpe, and P. Shankar is responsible for the music direction. The cast of the picture is headed by Saroj Borkar, Shalini and Chandrakant Gokha- le. The picture's Marathi version entitled "Balidan" is already hav- ing a good run at Poona. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) This enterprising firm of film distributors are shortly to release seme Russian films, which have been very popular in Russia and other countries. Their forthcoming production is "Anyaya", produced and direct- ed by J. S. Casshyap. Misunder- standing created in some quarters by the news that Devika Rani is starring in the picture is already cleared by the company. The picture is only a novel expe- riment in production. Pieces from some of the Bombay Talkies' old picture starring Devika Rani 5? SOMS.S - D AN CE5 — • RDAilAK CE :-EKIERTEMEKT ■■■■■ 5APRU RAN JIT KUMARl KESRI RAJAN ULIUAS PARTICULARS: — A K AS H C H I T R A FAMOUS CINE LABORATORIES & STUDIOS LTD. HAINES ROAD, MAHALAXMI , BOMBAY II. fane, 1948 FILM INDI A ave been chosen, joined up and dited in an intelligent manner so is to evolve an entirely new pic- ure which is named "Anyaya". ,'ARMA FILMS (Bombay) The distribution rights for Tiental Pictures' maiden pro- uction "Sohag Raat" having been ecured by this firm the picture ill soon be released through em. Produced from a story tten by F. A. Mirza and V harma the screenplay, dialogue nd songs for the picture are tten by Kidar Sharma who is so responsible for its direction, t stars Begum Para and Bharat hushan with Gita Bali, a new iiscovery who will make her first jow to filmgoers in "Sohag Raat". MOHAN PICTURES (Andheri) As many as four pictures are low under production at the stu- Jios of this well known producing 'oncern. They are, (\\ "Jadui \ngoothi" directed by A. M. Khan and starring Anil Kumar. Husn \ra and Devraj ; (2) "Jadui Shehnai" starring Prakash. Amir IKarnataki, Shanta Patel, Leela ande. Devraj and Rafiq and Ansari, comedians; this picture is ing directed by Naseem Saddiqi (3) "Ratan Manjari", directed by Recruit Lajpat Rai Khanna, of the Punjab National Bank Ltd, 8, Underhall Road, Civil Lines, Delhi, is 20, 5'-6", speaks Hindi, Urdu, Hindustani, is a good singer and knows swimming and cycling Nanubhai Vakil and (4) "Jadui Sindoor" also directed by Xaseem Saddiqi. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT LTD (Poona) Their forthcoming release "Phool aur Kante" is reported to be a new type of psychological picture with a new technique in direction. It stars Balita Pawar and Salvi in the leading roles with Saroj Borkar, Mohan Saigal and Sha- lini in the support. Achyut Ra- nade directed the picture. Their next production called "Sajan-ka-Crhar", starring Jairaj and Ranjana with Vasant Thengdi and Kusum Deshpande is nearing completion. BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Their maiden picture "Mandir". directed by tlie late Winayak, is scheduled for release at the local Swastik Talkies after the running picture. It stars popular artistes like Shanta Apte and Sahu Modak in the leading roles with Salvi, Baby Nanda, Lata. Jaimala. Vijaya, Samson. Janki Dass and Winayak himself providing the support. B. V. Bhoomraddi pro- duced the picture. T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bombay) Director Kumar Menon has already completed the company's first picture "Batohi", starring Indu Paul. Krishna and Beena Paul with Bharat Bhushan (of "Mahatma Kabir" fame) and Sapru in leading roles. Kesari too has an important role in the picture. S. K. Paul is responsible for the music direction of the picture and is reported to have given some new and catchy tunes to the songs. R K. FILMS (Bombay) Distribution rights for "Aag", the maiden ambitious production of this concern for C. P. C. I. are already purchased by Mes- srs. Bharati Film Distributors at a fancy price. Raj Kapoor, the producer of the picture, who also directed it and plays the leading male is now busy negotiating deals for distribution rights for other territories. Recruit Jayant Kr. Mohapatro, BSc (Hons.) of 6, Prof. Ojha's Lodge, P. O. Mahendru, Patna, is 19, 5'-6", knows Hindi, Bengali and singing and has acted in school and college dramatics. Starring Nargia and Kamini Kaushal with Raj Kapoor in the leading roles, the picture has a big "cast of reputed and popular artistes. According to authentic reports the picture is expected to be a first class production. Its release at Bombay, Calcutta and several other key stations is ex- pected to take place simultane- ously in a short time. NAV BHARAT PICTURES (Bombay) They have completed "Didi", their maiden picture, a social musical starring Ranjana and Ghansham. The title role of Didi is played by Shobha Rani. The picture introduces a new talent Charubala, who plays the role of the heroine's sister — -written by Pandit Girish, the picture is be- ing produced by V. N. Sinha and directed by Mukund M. Masure- kar. Producer Dr. V. N. Sinha has an enthusiastic programme before him and has already launched the production of the company's second picture. AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) Akash Chitra, a new film pro- ducing concern has been floated 61 FILM INDIA June, li by Mr. Lall and under its banner he has started the shooting of his maiden social "Lai Dupatta". Madhu Bala is playing the female lead and the east includes renown- ed artistes like Sapru, TJllhas, Ranjit Kumari, Kesari and Rajan. "Lai Dupatta" is progressing fast at the Famous Cine Labora- tories and Studios, Mahaluxmi. The picture is expected to be rich in music and entertainment. It presents a story based on new ideas. Ranjit Kumari gives some good dances in the picture which will be ready for release by the end of June. The paper work of Akash Chi- tra's "Desh Drohi" alias "Gha- ddar'' is going on at full speed. There is every hope of its going on the sets during the month of June. SHREE RANJIT MOVIETONE CO. (Bombay) Mr. Chandulal J. Shah who had been to Geneva, as a member of the Indian delegation to the International Conference on Free- dom of Information, arrived in Bombay by a TWA plane on 20th May, 1948. He was received at the Santa Cruz aerodrome by the Ranjit staff and friends. Ranjit's romantic social "Piya Ghar Aja" starring Meena Ku- mari, Karan Diwan, Agha Jan, Usha, S. N. Tripathi, and Roopa is now in the second month at the Central. It is directed by Prah- lad Dutt. Another social "Phoolwari", starring Khurshid, Motilal and Dixit will shortly be released at the Dawlat Talkies. It is direct- ed by Chaturbhuj Doshi. "Bhool Bhoolaiya", a musical comedy is on the sets and Director Taimur Behramshah is fast progressing with it. Agha Jan, Zeb Kureshi, Bhudo Advani and Pessi Patcl lead its cast. Director Ramchandra Thakur is busy with "Jai Hanuman", a mythological picture, starring S. N. Tripathi, Kailas, Babu Raje, Nirupa Roy and Keshav. "Mitti Ke Khilaime", starring Nigar and Karan Diwan is now in the editing rooms. It is direc ed by Prahlad Dutt. The f( lowing pictures are now ready f[ release: "Bichhade Balar "Kaun Hamara", "Lakhon Me Ek", "Dunia Ek Sarai' and "Pa desi Maheman". ASSOCIATED PICTURES (Calcutta) Associated Pictures will shortl present "Sabyasachi" named aft if the hero of the famous novel i II Saratchandra, which records till struggle of the revolutionaries < i India who had often failed brl never owned defeat, who with rfl ligious zeal fought oppression an political injustice and stood theji ground in the teeth of inhumaH suffering and the fear of annihS lation. Right through this stiJ ring story of grim and relentlea war waged against British Impel rialism, runs an undercurrent e| romance which gives relief to th atmosphere of suspense and make it rich, mellow and human. Thi] fine blend of the grim realitv q life with the romantic makes "Pal ther Dabi" a unique novel. Wei known in Bengal by the name o STARRING SAROJ BORKAR ★ SHALINI CHANDHAKANT GOKHALE BABY BHATE & BABY SULOCHANA AWAITING RELEASE — A UNIQUE STORY FULL CF SORROWS. SUFFERINGS & TEARS! DEVADASI REVOLTS! SHE DREAMS OF MARRIED LIFE. IS HER DREAM FULFILLED? S TORY FULL OF SUSPENSES * SONGS FULL CF ENCHANTMENT SHAH PRODUCTIONS' MAIDEN HIT o SHAH Story-\. S. SUKHATANKAR * Producer-G. M. Directed By-R AJA PARANJPE Dialogues-? ARUQ SIDDIK1 & I. B. TABASSUM Songs-I. B. TABASSUM & IJHAR MAL1HABADI FOR WORLD RIGHTS WRITE to- SHAH PRODUCTIONS 18, MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, POONA I. 62 June, 1918 FILM1XDIA Bbudo Advani is complacent over some matter that is probably worry- ing Khurshid (Jr.) and Altaf in "Easant Panehami", Parker Films' maiden production ■Agardoot" the team of techni- cians engaged for '"Sabyasachi" in- cludes the well known cameraman Kibhuti Laha, sound engineer ratil Dutta, Sailen Ghosh, a spe- ■■ialist in laboratory work, Bimal Mihosh. a production expert and antosh Ganguli. Those who saw a preview of le picture have expressed their itisfaction for the way the direc- >rs have succeeded in picturising aratchandra Chatterji's groat ovel. Music for the picture was irected by Robin Chatterjee. 'he cast includes Kamal Mitra. lira Misra, Paresh Banorjee. •andhvarani. Bipin Gupta and [estodhan. VFRSHINE PICTURES (Bombay. Bhagwati Productions' maiden icial "Rivaj" produced and irected by Ishwarlal. is ready ">r release. Paro, Ishwarlal and lubarak play the stellar roles, 'hile Revashanker. Bhagwandas nd Jillubai form the supporting The next production which is earing completion is "Apala" a istoncal romance, starring Tsh- raHal and Paro. After the eorr- •letion of Apala. Ichwarlal will andle a mythological subject named "Sati Narbada"; the paper work of this picture is ready. All these three pictures will be distributed throughout the Bom- bay Presidency by Messrs. Ever- shine Pictures. BASANT FILM DISTRIBUTORS (Bombay) Mr. Sadashiv Rao Kavi, of Baaanl Film Distributors, has bagged the distribution rights of Kuldip Pictures' musical social "Fj»piha Re" for Bombay Presidency. The picture stars Akhtari, Amarnath and Asha Posley. It is directed by Dawood Chand (the director of "Arsi") and has some nice Punjab music. Basant Pictures' mythological production "Rambhakta Hanu- man" is rapidly progressing on the sets. Directed by Homi Wadia. the picture stars Trilok Kapoor. Tripathi and Joshi in the princi- pal roles. Their first jungle picture, "Mala the Mighty" is booked as the next change at Taj Talkies, while the next jungle thriller. "Tigress" is making quick progress in shoot- ing. SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) The maiden production of this newly started concern, titled "Men Kahani". is being directed by cameraman Keki Mistry and produced by Sharaf at the Cen- tral Studios, where it is making rapid progress. It has a big cast of well known artistes like Suren- dia. Munawar Sultana. Pratima Devi. Leila Kumari. Sanobar. Ramesh Sinha. Santosh Kumar. Bbudo Advani. Murad Khan and Waskar. Wahid Qureishi wrote the dia- logue and songs for the picture while the musical score comes from K. Datta (Koregaonkar) . Offers are being received for the distribution rights of the picture from various territories. Salvi wants to know if Lalita Pawar was the real culprit a scene from Phool aur Kante", Navyug Chitrapats forthcoming musical social 63 OQ5 (This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. 5/. Letters should be signed and marked " Woes And Echoes". Photographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor.) "DON'T WASTE, PLEASE" "It was the pride of the pro- ducers of the Tamil Film "Ohan- dralekha" to print the picture in fifty copies and screen it at fifty theatres all over Madras Presi- dency. The same procedure has been adopted by the Jupiter Pic- tures, who have made about thirty prints of their new release, "Abhi- manyu". Thus a sort of competi- tion is going on among producers in Tamil Nad, to print as many copies as their bank balances would allow them and release them at the maximum number of theatres. But it is a miserable fact, which experience has clearly shown, that many copies of even the best pictures of the past are lying idle within the safe-vaults of the distributors. "From the National outlook too, this is no doubt an unhealthy and anti-social competition. EVen the food for the common man is measured and given in these days and we are taught through post- ers in public places that we do much harm and injustice to the one in need, if we waste or over- consume any food. In spite of the heavy shortages of food grains, our Government are not in favour of spending away their foreign exchanges on food, as there are other things which are more essential for the progress of our country. "Mr. S. S. Vasan himself has once said that the field for Tamil Pictures is too narrow and little, comparatively to that of Hindi Films, not to speak of English Films. But then, where is the necessity of printing so many copies of one and the same pic- ture? Can't they run success- fullv with a limited number of copies throughout the Presidency in a few months, just bv curtail- ing the number of weeks to run in every city, during the first re- lcasf? This sort of rationing the number of days, sav for three to four weeks in a place, could give the producers much benefit in the first run itself, contrary to what they may think. There may also be an urgency among people to rush for the picture, lest they mr.y miss it. Further more, they can expect a good collection during the second run also. "Last of all but not the least, they need not waste the precious cine film, which another poor pro- ducer is longing for." T. R. R. Swamy. ROBERTSONPET. WHAT PRICE PATRIOTISM? "Recently I had been to a local picture-house. I am a newcom- er to this place and it was my first visit to this unfortunate one. What I witnessed here was not only shocking but also very dis- graceful to our country. After the picture was over "Bande Ma- taram" was being played. Moral- ly as well as socially the whole of the audience ought to have stood up, but to my utter dismay as soon as the picture was over peo- ple began to leave the hall and by the time the national song was over hardly ten or fifteen remain- ed in the hall, while .the four anna class was altogether empty. Prai- sed be the above mentioned geil tlemen — worthy patriots as the are — who have such a high civl sense." ROORKEE. Gajendar Sind WHAT A RAILWAY STATION! | "Have you ever come across p Railway Station without a StJ tion Master, porter, Pan-vendoj a waiting passenger, or at leal a tonga? If you have not, ycl can see it in Firdaus Art Produti tions "Shanti". Was it a Railwa Station or a way-side inn?" T. Satyanarayana Ra. KURNOOL. EXPLAIN THE DANCES | "The other day I went to s(| "Kalpana" produced and direcj ed by Uday Shanker, the famou dancer of international repute, doubt whether this picture wi be a financial triumph to the pre] ducers, but it is admitted witlj out doubt that this picture is I challenge to our old produce]! such as Shantaram, Devki Bosj: and Barua who have been in tr] field since the birth of the film ill dustry and have failed to give J a neat picture like "Kalpanai Cuckoo leads a folk dance in Ratan Pictures' maiden release "Kajal" now running at the Roxy. 64 ine, 1948 FILMINDIA Ihy? Because they are afraid I take risk. Uday Shanker has Ine it and his "Kalpana" will be jmembered for a long time for its laple story of every day life and I artistic values. rThis picture is so real and Btistic that it needs no com- hnts, but it would not be out of pee if I say that I could not llow like many others, the bril- j nt dances performed by Uday Id his equally talented wife. It liuld have been much better for le producers to publish a pam- lilet explaining the significance ■ each dance. This would have keatly helped the spectators to lllow the dances and through lem the picture itself. I hope [at Uday Shanker will promptly Upond to the request of millions I his admirers." JEW DELHI. K. N. Raizada. 1XPLOITING THE TRICOLOUR! ["Flag of a Nation is the sym- [il of its power and prestige and I it is in our case too. The Tri- [lour (as adopted by C. A.) is le 'Chihna' of our honour. As ich, in no case should it be cx- [oited as a means to extract loney. But, alas, this is not so. ["Lately, added to the black list I such exploiters are some of our [m magnates who, as a class, le already notorious for the lack I scruples where money is the lal (as money seems to consti- |te the supreme creed of their le). They arc pushing our flag Yo the films ("Sajan" for cxam- |e) without rhyme or reason, only [ trade upon the sentiments of illions of our people. Nowhere [ve I seen the Union Jack, or p that matter, flag of any other [tion, used for such obnoxious ■rposes. And, in the face of it, bw belittling does it look, this lading of our National Flag, the nbodiment of our Nationhood! ''It is painfully degrading to e the depths to which our direc- bre and producers have sunk. Ihey have forgotten that screen I supposed to uphold high and Ifty the banner of a Nation. It I high time they are told not to rifle with this emblem of our Imour." EW DELHI. Ratan Chand Jain. "NATIONAL ANTHEM" "When I had the opportunity of going through the book on "India Divided" by Rajendra Prasad, it is pointed out by Mr. Durani that "Bande Mataram" the national song of our dominion, has a symbol of the restoration of Hindu Sovereignty and hatred of Muslims. I wonder now why India which denies itself to be Hindu Raj should stick to "Bande Mataram" as its National song which annihilates the different ZENITH DISCRIMINATING MEN Each Zenith watch is a worthy example of the finest craftsmanship ; slim and elegant, with unquestioned accuracy day in and day out. Businessmen and sportsmen prefer Zenith, for here is the watch of renowned reliability yet moderate in price. TOR THE SPORTSMAN on left- No. 1364 Sporto ' — shock proof and pro- tected against dust Chrome plated case with steel back — luminous figures and hands. Rs. 147/-. FOR THE BUSINESSMAN on right- No. 1234 distinguished model with chrome plated case and steel back. Ra. 171. Similar models to No 1234 with various styles of non luminous dials and small second hand, Ra. 170 and Rs. 171. With •weep second hand Ra. 180 and Ra. 184. FAVRE - LEUBA FAVRE • LEUBA & COMPANY LIMITED BOMBAY & CALCUTTA 65 FILMINDIA communities of India other than the Hindu. "In theatres as well as on pub- lic occasions the National Anthem plaved and sung is 'Bande Ma- taram'. India attained her Inde- pendence not through the efforts of Hindu community alone but also by the co-operation of Par- sis, Sikhs, Christians, and others, even to a little extent Nationalist Muslims. Considering India as one nation wherein every man irrespective of caste, creed or community possesses a legal right in moulding India's future it would be wise if the authorities concerned would take some inte- rest to replace 'Bande Mataram immediately, in the common in- terests of all." POONA. A. Viswanathan WHAT PICTURE WITHOUT KISS? "I read with great disappoint- ment in a Marathi Magazine the proposal of Mr. V. Shantaram re- garding the eradication of kissing scenes in English pictures shown in India. "I would like to express my opinion on the above proposal. It is really pernicious to delete such scenes ' from the pictures. Why should he object? I was really startled when I read the idiotic idea of Mr. Shantaram. "What objection should there be in seeing English pictures which give us the most romantic ideas by showing kisses on the screen? How did this idea strike his mind now?" POONA. S. L. Unawane. AIR LANGUAGE "Ever since the partition of India took place, a great many changes have taken place in this country. One is the language used in the news broadcasts from the All India Radio. Formerly, the language used was Hindus- tani, easy to understand for an ordinary man. But now, instead of Hindustani, pure Hindi mixed with big Sanskrit words is spoken which one can't understand, but still, it is called by the radio authorities as Hindustani. Hin- dustani is a simple language which everybody can understand and is 66 ne, 1948 FILM INDIA • : more beggars in our coun- t ?" fitSSAN. G. A. Modak. WHY BLAME EDISON! ■ 1 wonder why cinematogra- Wy came in India at all. Of ,urse, I do not blame Edison for ll invented it. after all, with |jd faith. But it is we who are t blame for the catastrophy that itaking place in our motherland, f The Indian film producers Ive produced films of the worst [ipes. They have produced ■ :tures full of vulgarity and ) t. And, therefore, the effects ■ d results of these sorts of ■ 'tures have been extremely bad lecially on the student commu- liy. As a student I know better, mr they have destroyed the 'mo- Pity' in us. I'l have always maintained and lill ever maintain that the place K cinematography lies not in en- Rrtainment but in educational ■ d for teaching purposes in public le. And certainly this is so true J our Indian surroundings. In- Bad of entertainment they have ■ined us — morally and spiritual- ly. And, may I ask you, Mr. Edi- tor, what is the use of that thing which ruins our character and moral instinct? So many of stu- dents go to cinema houses and alas! return as 'broken-hearted lovers'. From a big man down to a street boy and specially the middle class ones and the latter, sing songs of different pictures and you can hear them every time and everywhere. They have nothing to do except the idle talks on 'actors' and 'actresses'. "In conclusion, I may say that this cinematography must not be allowed, at any cost for public entertainment. Also I would like to request you if I have any power and influence and if you have a soft corner in your heart for those thousands of diseased and suffering students of India who have been waylaid, bewilder- ed by this so called invention by Edison, to cry halt! Of course, I am not one of them. I have long left going to cinema of whatso- ever type and it is the 8th year for me without any cinema. And further. I have determined not to go to cinema as an object for 'enjoying' or 'entertainment' for the period — unknown and indefi- nite to me. Again I appeal to you in the name of those thousands and thousands of students. Beware O Indian film producers! You have slept for long and now wake up. Do not waylay and destroy the soft hearts and minds of young ones — the future leaders of India, if you have any love for Mother India — "our beloved Earthlv Mother". KASGANJ. Kailash Chandra. VERSE OR WORSE? "Recently somebody gave vent to his 'woe' that the price of "filmindia" was a bit too high. Do not at all believe the fellow! The magazine is the product of your brains and is invaluable. I am pained when someone com- pares its price to what the won- derful mag contains. I had better quote myself here: — "Oh, how much I adore your mag: My comrade since many years past; Best from the very outset, Special Contradiction By DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. We wish to correct a mistake by our Publicity Department, with regard to our advertisement concerning Madame Devika Rani in FILMINDIA, March, 1948 issue, and also to some unauthorised write-ups, and news items appearing in the Press to the effect that Madame Devika Rani has staged a come back to the Films, and that Diamond Pictures have presented her in a Film and that she has been directed by Mr. J. S. Casshyap. The aforesaid news is completely incorrect, and we express our apology to Madame Devika Rani, and to the Public for this rumour which we contradict emphatically. For Diamond Pictures Ltd. Manager. Bombay, Date 30th April, 1948. 67 FILM INDIA Yet each issue the last!" June, 1*1 better than Omesh Chandra Whig NEW DELHI. MISS INDIA OR MISS FILMINDIA? "I have a vague remembrance that during the pre-war days some agencies with ultra-modern views in some of the western countries conducted annual competitions to select the best woman and man m the country and name them as Aliss England etc. Don t yon think it would be very good it this is introduced in our country; "I do not find any other agen- cy better fitted for the purpose than "filmindia". "This is sure to go a long way in encouraging beautiful bodies among our men and women and unearthing hidden beauties and athletes. It will give an impetus to the popularity of "filmindia and help film-folks find iresh faces. "To start with a countrywide publicity be given to the compe- tition in newspapers as well as tne Radio directing all the competi- tors to send copies of their latest photographs for a preliminary se- lection After all the 'rabbits are thus eliminated, the rest appear before the selection commutee personally at Bombay for the final selection, which may be held amidst a big and sensational ga- thering. "The winners are titled 'Miss India' and 'Mr. India' and may be awarded a liberal prize by "filmindia" or by a film-tin-God. ANANTAPUR. M. Rukmani. HERE IS GRATITUDE I "I do not often see your maga- zine but someone has been kind enough to send me a copy of the article entitled "Ingratitude in Excelsis" as appeared on page 13 of your April issue. "I write this to say that I should be very pleased indeed to associate myself with any scheme whose obj.ct will he to perpetuate the memory of an old colleague and a very dear friend, the late Mr. D. C. Shah". BOMBAY. N. J. Hamilton. 68 II "The article entitled "Ingrati- tude in Excelsis" in your April issue has been read with interest, and whilst noting that the criti- cism is directed against the film industry generally I would like to draw your attention to the fact that so far as the "National Standard" and "Sunday Standard" are concerned, the position held by Mr. D. C. Shah as Film Ad- vertisement Representative has been officially handed on to Shah's brother, while his nep Mr. H. L. Shah carries on in same relative position as bei viz., as contact man. "We have lost Mr. D. C. Shs invaluable services as Film tor, but we have at least ensi that Mr. D. C. Shah's familj provided for within the scope j our powers. BOMBAY. F. Hih They bring delight on the wings of ROMANCE * MUSIC * COMEDY- MEENA KUMAR I, KARAN DIWAN with AGA JAN, USHA & ROOPA in RAN J IT'S Social Hit PIYA GHAR AJA fW^ PRAHLAD DUTT 2nd Month at CENTRAL A Western India Theatres Ltd. Release. AND ABROAD AT HOME FURTHER FILM FIRES I New Delhi, April 19. [A film godown at Chandni Liowk was completely gutted on le morning of Sunday the 18th. lie fire is reported to have ori- Enated from a defective electric I ring in a room where the prints lid other combustible material Id been kept and instantaneous- I spread to the adjoining rooms. I was brought under control after L hour's fight by the municipal ■ e brigade. II Jubbulpore, May 1. I Damage estimated at over Rs. 1)0,000 was caused by a fire in Ibbulpore City yesterday when le entire building and machinery I the Central Talkies was gutted, faile taking a trial of new films sterday morning, the screen sud- nly went up in flames which ;ickly spread to other parts of e building. Three fire engines ught the conflagration for four urs before it was brought under ntrol. Ill Karachi. May 2. With the exception of the pro- ctor, all the cinema equipment of the Taj Mahal Talkies, an Urdu Cinema house on Bunder Road, was burnt to ashes when the build- ing suddenly caught fire during the early hours of this morning. It took the fire brigade about half an hour to control the flames. The loss is estimated about a hundred thousand rupees. IV Ahmedabad. April 29. Fire broke out today in the film cabin of the Model Talkies, caus- ing damage estimated at Rs. •40,000. V Salem. May 6. It is reported that some films of four pictures under production awaiting editing were burnt down in a fire yesterday afternoon in an upstairs room of the Modern Theatres Studio, four miles from here. The local fire service rushed to the spot on information and put out the fire before further damage could be caused. NO NERVE FOR IT New York, May 15. Oscar-winner Ronald Coleman and his wife sailed on the "Queen Elizabeth" yesterday for their first visit to England in 15 years. Ronald Coleman said he would appear at the London premiere of the film "A Double Life" for which he won the award, and that he was going to Brussels for the con- tinental opening two weeks later. Asked if he was taking the Oscar with him, Coleman replied liI didn't have the nerve to do". NEW IMPDA OFFICIALS Bombay, May 8. At the ninth annual general meeting of the Motion Picture Distributors' Association, held yesterday in Bombay, the follow- ing were elected to the executive committee for 1948: — Mr. M. B. Billimoria, President; Mr. Kikubhai V. Desai. Vice-Pre- sident; Mr. Harshadrai V. Desai, Hon. Treasurer; Messrs. Chunibhai B. Desai, Jivraj K. Sheth, H. C. Naterwalla, Kevalchand N. Mehta, Dharmakumar B. Merchant, Xanubhai R. Vyas, Dhirubhai M. Mehta and Lalji Hemraj Hari- dass. NEW EXECUTIVE FOR CEAI The second annual general meeting of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of India was held on the 6th May 1948. The second annual report and ba- lance sheet and statement of ac- counts for 1947 was adopted. The following have been elected as executive committee members for 1948:— Mr. B. D. Bharucha, President: Mr. S. G. Patwardhan, Vice-Pre- sideut: Mr. A. C. Patel. Hon. Treasurer; Messrs. C. J. Desai, K. N. Mehta, V. A. Mudholkar. D. P. Chumble, P. S. Kuka. K. V. Desai, M. N. Dalai. F. H. Sidhwa, K. M. Modi. Abdul Ali. S. M. Kotwal. D. B. Mehta. M. S. Patel (Co-opted) and Surjit Chhabda (Co-opted) . FILM JOURNALIST BELABOURED Burbank (California), May 5. Arthur Day. aged 49, a former cab driver, was sentenced to un- dergo imprisonment for three months for beating Sheila How- arth, 26. British Film columnist for the 'London Daily Graphic' Day was found guilty by a po- lice court on an assault and bat- tery charge brought about by Miss Howarth, who flew here from 69 FILMINDIA June, 18 England after being sub-poenaed by Burbank authorities. She has also filed a 100,000 dollar dam- age suit. She testified that Day called her a "British film tramp — a cheap little bum", struck her and threw her from his cab last August. Ever since, she said, she trembled when she saw a yellow cab. VAN WINKLES AWAKE Bombay, May 4. The recent outbreak of a fire in the Chowpatty Chambers at Sandhurst Bridge which was sus- pected to have been caused by the combustion of cinematogra- phic film, is the subject of three resolutions tabled for discussion by the Bombay Municipal Cor- poration. Mr. Rohit M. Dave, (Socialist) by two resolutions, demands an inquiry into the fire at Sandhurst Bridge and the laying down of a policy whereby licences for _ the storage of inflammable articles may not be granted in buildings, parts of which are occupied for residential purposes, and, if such licences are to be granted, to en- sure that the inflammable mate- rial are stored in completely fire proof rooms in places equipped with fire extinguishing appliances. Mr. Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan demands that the Municipal Commissioner be requested to consider and report on the desir- ablity of laying down a policy whereby storage of combustible material in residential houses and areas is to be prohibited. "INSIDE THE ATOM" Moscow, May 2. Pamphlets and films on the atom are among scientific works to be seen by the Russians this year. The State Publishing House, it is announced, has just issued a publication on "marked atoms", one of a new series of popular scientific pamphlets. Among; popular scientific films to be produced this year is one entitled "Inside the Atom". JUST LIKE PAKISTAN Karachi, May 10. To the existing four annas ner foot duty on foreign films. Paki- stan in its first budget added two annas extra. The American Motion Picture Corporation and British film pro- ducers having refused to pay this additional import duty, no more foreign films will now be shown in Pakistan and from the next week all cinema houses in Paki- stan will be showing Indian pic- tures only. Distributors and proprietors of cinema houses now find it impos- sible to recoup their Pakistan duty expenses which on one film alone often amount to Rs. 1,500. FILM WRITERS FINED Washington, May 21. John Howard Lawson and Dal- ton Trumbo, writers of film stories, scenarios and scripts, who were involved in some alleged communist activities were senten- ced to one year's imprisonment and a fine of 1000 dollars each : contempt of Congress, after bei denied new trials for which th had appealed. They were both accused of ji fusing to tell the House of 13 American Activities Committee If night whether they were Coi munists. They were both subsequent enlarged on bail pending appea NEW NAMES New Delhi, May 11. It is officially announced th' the organisation for productii and distribution of informatii films and newsreels which tj Government of India are re-est blishing at Bombay will be call the Film Division, Ministry | Information and Broadcasting. | * Vitaminized Wax *Vit/uine Hair Tonic -A Tonic Food for the skin and an invaluable aid to beauty — Ideal for Pimples, — A sure cure for Dandruff. VL/MP(io) 70 ine, 1948 FILMINDI A The information films produced j the organization will be known )i "Documentary Films of India" id the weekly newsreel "Indian ews Review". These names re- Lace the old "Information Films J? India" and "Indian News Pa- inde" respectively. 50YS* TOWN FOUNDER DEAD Berlin, May 15. M. Edward J. Flanagan, 61- ear-old founder and head of the orld-renowned "Boys' Town" for plinquent youths in Nebraska 'fied here, early this morning after j heart attack. : Father Flanagan was in Ger- many as a special adviser on buth problems. f The life and work of "Boys' own", ten miles from Omaha 'as the subject of two films re- ined in 1938-41. NOT A FDLM ACTRESS Bombay, May 8. A luxurious bar-cuin-brothel louse in an imposing palace on Krorli Seafacc, alleged to have leen run by one "Madam Kisho- 1", who styled herself as a film ctress, was raided by the Vigil- nce Branch of the Bombav CID An embarrassing moment in the Russian picture ''Glinka' ed through Diamond Pictures, Ltd. to be releas- last night. Kishori was taken in custody on two charges, one un- der the Prostitution Act of 1923 and another under the Abkari Act. \n amusing situation from Chitra Productions' unusual comedy, "Aaj Aur Kal", starring Naintara, Shyam and Nita. When the accused was produced before a Presidency Magistrate today, the police stated that the accused, a landlady and a ci- nema actress, residing in a luxuri- ous flat at Worlj Seaface was trafficking in girls and that due to the complexity of the case, the police were waiting for a suitable opportunity. This opportunity was provided by the usual method of sending a bogus customer with marked notes. The bail application made on behalf of the accused was refused by the Magistrate on the ground that the accused was alleged to be doing business on a big scale and "such nefarious acts are di- fficult to defeat". Kishori was or- dered to be held in poliee custody for a fortnight. Ten days after the incident the Secretary of the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association sent a press note saying the said "Madame Kishori" was not a film actress at all and while there was nothing to prevent anybody osten- tatiously posing as somebody else, it is, to say the least, misleading the public and vilifying the In- 71 FILMINDI A June, 19' dian film industry to flash the news as concerning a film actress. ENVIABLE HONOURS Hollywood, May 14. Darryl F. Zanuck's production of "Gentleman's Agreement" won so many of the Academy Awards that it is fitting that its producer should receive an additional per- sonal honour. Mr. Zanuck and Lama Z. Hob- son, author of the novel on which "Gentleman's Agreement" is bas- ed, were awarded Thomas Jeffer- son prizes for the "Advancement of Democracy" through the writ- ing and making of the film by the Council against Intolerance in America. Officials of 1000 civic organiza- tions and editors of all newspa- pers and magazines throughout U.S.A. cast ballots indicating theit choice for the Jefferson Awards, which were made in virtually every walk of life. "Gentleman's Agreement" Aca- demy Awards were fourfold: The film received the coveted Oscar for the best picture of the year; Elia Kazan's direction of the picture Recruit Mahandar Singh, of Majri Colliery, P.O. Majri Colliery, Distt. Chanda is 20, 5'-6", and has play- ed villain's roles in school drama- tics. was judged to be the best of the year; the role played by Celeste Holm was considred to be the finest supporting role of the year and Dean Stockwell, also in the film, was awarded the Oscar for the best juvenile performance. GOVERNMENT'S SAFETY MEASURE New Delhi, May 11. In order to minimise the dan- ger of accidents through faulty storage of films, the Government of India have promulgated rules regarding storage and transport of the film throughout the country as disclosed by an official state- ment. These rules called the "Cine- matograph Film Rules 1948" spe- cify the precautions to be taken and the necessity for segregation of this highly inflammable mate- rial from congested localities. They were gazetted in the Ministry of Works, Mines and Powers notifi- cation dated March 23, 1948, and came into force on the date of the notification. The notification was published in the "Gazette of India" on April 3, 1948. LINDSAY BACK HOME California, May 10. Lou Lindsay, film editor on the Charles F. Feldman Group-Orson Welles production of "Macbeth", has just returned from Italy where he had been working with Welles on the final editing of the picture. He brought the completed film with him and it will now be pre- pared for music scoring at Repub- lic. HER ADOPTED FATHER! Bombay, May 14. A film actress of Bombay, who is alleged to have been offered by her adopted father for prostitu- tion, was rescued in dramatic cir- cumstances in a fashionable quar- ter of Colaba by the Vigilance Branch of the Bombay C.I.D. last night. It appears that the actress in question, Ismet Sultana by name, residing in Lcntin Court, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, was being used for immoral purposes by her adopted father, Abdullah Sindhi. On getting scent of the "bu.< ness", the Vigilance Branch de patched a bogus customer to t' place last night and a deal w struck with Abdullah to hire tl girl out for Rs. 500. On a givi signal, a police posse that wi waiting in the neighbourly swooped in and, it is stated, four the bogus cutsmoer and the actrc in a compromising position. The father of the girl was ic mediately placed under arrest. Does your Scalp show through your hair ? It mea the fallen hair is not being replace and that from partial you are headiij for complete baldness- Why senten yourself to baldness and the appearand of age when with Kesavardhini yt may escape both ? Leaves shed in Autumn are regrov in Spring, but in certain stages of h? decay hair once gone is gone f ever. Don't let your hair go but ma! it grow instead, with Kesavardhi, in time and keep your Youth. In time — because by delayii Kesavardhini, you delay recovery ai provide disease an opportunity : complete the havoc —valuable tin you could use in restoring. Don't loi time to give yourself BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE ! Kesavardhini ... ... ... As. Kesavardhini Shampoo ... ... As. Postage and packing extra From most dealers or direct fron SOUTH INDIA CHEMICAL COIMBATORE Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage off Delisle Road Bombay 13, and Published by him for " filmindia " Publications Ltd.. from 55, Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Bombay. A Stirring Tale Of Sacrifice & Devotion Starring— S U R A IY A , WASTI, GOPE. JAYANT, SHARDA, RAM KAMLANI, ATHAR, AMIR BANO, LEELA & CUCKOO Musict-GHULAM MOHAMMAD KAPURCHAND RELEASE Now Showing At ROX Y BOMBAY RECD.No B 3517 m INLAND Rs 2 - FOREIGN SkM/C MASTER PIECE PRESENTATION AROGHAJI * NARGIS iKHTAR HUSSAIN je9 BE: frmc*S-POCHAWAL A ST THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR GENUINE "iimriiiic" SOUND EQUIPMENT A SYMBOL OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT QUALITY SOUND SYSTEM FOR EVERY THEATRE NOW available ex stock for Theatres from 500 to 5000 seats at specially reduced prices. INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Phon e : 20892 Telegram: "SOUNDHEAD NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5. N. Y. MADRAS 8, Mount Road, MADRAS 2. DELHI Chandnl Chowk. LONDON 21, Wormwood Street, LONDON E. C. 2. firtstottt Producer of the FIRST WHITE S1DEWAU. TYRE ORIGINATOR OF THE BALLOON TYRE Matje in INU|#* vr?uf0UMce4 7%e first j MADE IN INDIA FlRESTOXE proudly present, to the motoring public of India, the newest thing in tyres-the Firestone Super-Balloon. Manufactured by Firestone in India, by those Indian craftsmen who first gave this country the White Sidewall Tyre, the Super-Balloon offers you new sensa- tions in riding and driving luxury. Exhaustive tests provr that with this tyre you can drive more miles at higher speeds with less fatigue. You can stop more safely on any road in any weather. The Super- Balloon absorbs all road shocks instead of transmitting them to you and your car. The new Firestone Super- Balloon is truly the tyre of tomorrow, a wholly new sensation in restful riding, in non- skid safety, in blowout protection and in longer, more comfortable mileage. This amazing tyre is now made in India by Firestone for the Indian motoring public. Watch for the Super-Balloon at your Firestone Dealer. f ; COMVIMTIONAl j | m \ rilllTONI A 11 OVMIIAUOOK 1 Cross- Sections show bow more air volume and lower air pressure (only 24 pounds) permit greater flexing anion when this wonderful tyre goes over bumps and rough roads. Exclusive Firestone Slcid-Rcsistcrs in the tread and larger area of contact w ith the road provide the greatest protection against skidding ever Built into a tyre. SW& COMFORT S/WEX ECONOMY GARAGE Because this tyre runs on more air at lower pressure, it absorbs all shocks— does not pass them on to you and your car. In addition to giving you long mileage, this tyre save* you money on maintenance. Fewer jolts and jara reach your car, so there are fewer trips to the repair shop. G. K. Collapsible. Screens are Ideal for travelling shows -easy to erect, quick -yet robust enough to stand up to frequent handling and constant travelling. Whichever you need -the 12 ft. by 9 ft. perforated super-matt screen for 35 mm. or 16 mm., or the 80 in. by 60 In. glass-beaded screen for 16 mm. only- either will give you a clear bright image. See this and other cinema equipment In our new Bombay Showrooms and Demonstration Theatre — you are always welcome! We give a comprehen- sive after-sales service. FORBES BUILDINGS HOME STREET, BOMBAY. CALCUTTA : Society Cinema, 2, Corporatian Place. MADRAS : Khaleel Mansions, 35, Mount Road. DJK 65 SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month is : INLAND FOREIGN: Rs. 24/- Shillings 50/- Subscriptlon is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 55. SIR PW.ROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY. Telephone : 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. JULY 1948 No. 7. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page Insi le Rs. Half Page inside Rs. i Page inside Rs. \ Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 400 210 120 150 500 600 1st Cover Rs. 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. "ekkot* " 7llms £nd "ftutta " Sahib* / tfovetnment Mult -f) (2Uaz-(?ut Policy ^ejaidinj Mew5-?£eeU TPoaumentatU* -Qncl ^Juca.tiona.1 fttctutel Six vears ago "filmindia" was the first to pub- sh a series of articles emphasizing the urgent ne- ;ssity of harnessing the screen medium for mass lucation of our people. During the war, however, nstructional films*' produced by the Government )r by the studios at the command of the Govern- lentl were nothing but cheap and unsubtle war ropaganda reels which no one took seriously. It as a collossal waste of money and film footage. Out of evil, however, cometh good — and in spite the general unimaginative and unpatriotic policy mt governed the production of these films, a few ?cent and truly educative shorts icere produced by ime sensible and patriotic young men like Krishna opal and Bhaskar Rao who, somehow, had ma- aged to gatecrash the citadel of Bureaucracy, hus we had the brilliant and internationally-re- iwned "Tree Of Wealth"; the documentary about le Indian press. "Voice Of The People"; the "Our eritage" series on architecture and archaeology: id Modhu Bose*s series of shorts on the different •chniques of classical Indian dance. Films like lese represent the incidental by-product of the lformation Films of India. ELLULOID ENTANGLED IN RED TAPE The I. F. I., we understand, is now being rein- rnated under a new name — the Film Division, inistry of Information and Broadcasting — and e films produced by them will be known as "Do- imentary Films of India" and the newsreel will ! known as "Indian News Review". In fact, during e last six months, it has been a case of "Coming ■Coming — Coming". But the organisation has not ;t been set up. Meanwhile, as usual with Govern- ental appointments, wire-pulling has been going on id the Red Tape has had full play, so that after ilf a year nothing practical has been achieved, pplications were invited for dozens of jobs -from ro Deputy Controllers and one Assistant Control- * on the top, down to editors and cutters. A com- ittee was set up to interview the candidates and e selectors were: (1) Mr. S. K. Patil, the President of fcht- Bombay Provincial Congress Committee.. (2) Mr. X. C. Mehta, Secretary of the In- formation and Broadcasting Ministry, and (3) Mr. V. Shantaram, the well-known producer and director. Mr. Patil is a politician and Congress boss and seems to have been put on this Committee as he is Sardar Patel's right-hand man and is freely men- tioned as the likely incumbent of the Information and Broadcasting portfolio, if ever Sardar Patel is persuaded to lighten his burden and part with at least one of his several responsibilities. Mr. N. C. Mehta. presumably, was on the committee in an ex- officio capacity. Thus Mr. Shantaram was the only man conversant with film technique and able to judge the technical qualifications of the respective candidates. But. being all too human, it is also pos- sible that be brought into play his personal prefer- ences and prejudices which got passed on as "expert opinion". For instance, we understand on good authority, that one of the more intelligent young candidates (who has produced an unusual and experimental film which won international acclaim) was passed over because Shantaram smelt "Communism" in him and in his film — though, actually, the candidate is very far removed from the Comintern. Not un- derstanding the subtle differences between Commu- nism. Socialism. Syndicalism. Anarchism. Bohemi- anism. and Radicalism, the politically naive Shan- taram seems to have lumped them all together and rejected a "progressive", mistaking him for a "Communist". TWO "GENIUSES" From what "filmindia s" newshounds have been able to gather, it appears that technical experience of producing documentaries was not taken into con- sideration— as in the first selection both Ezra Mir Would you choose The OLD or The NEW ? WHY BUY SECOND HAND EQUIPMENT WHEN YOU CAN GET BRAND NEW LATEST SOUND EQUIPMENTS FOUR *•¥•¥■■¥■ STAR WITH NEWEST FEATURS" AT A P&ICE YOU CAN AFFORD? For South India: EVERGREEN ( BANGALORE) LTD., 2, Seshadri Road. BANGALORE. Telephone 2608 Telegrams : CVFR^RFEN EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 18/146 Papaiah Street, Gandhi- nagar, B E Z W A D A. Tele. Add: "EVERGREEN" EVER6REEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 154, Kings way, SEC'* NDERABAD. Deccan. Tele. Add : PICTORIAL For North India: EVERGREEN PICTU Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Tel. Add: T "DESAICOY" For Bengal, Bihar, Oriss>\ Assam & Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPltf II, ESPLANADE EAST, CALcl Telephone: 6158 Telegrams : " CINEFILMSgj For Indian States : EVERGREEN PICTU No. I, South Tukogan), INDORE. Tele. " EVERGREEN *" Telephone: 26 9 5 2 2 0 119 EVERGREEN PICTURES SAKLAT HOUSE, 15, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, BOMBAY. TelegrM •PICTOi illy, 1948 F I L M I N i> I A uckoo, the screen's popular dancer is providing )me new numbers in "Apni Chhaya" Chitralaya Ltd.'s maiden picture, directed by S.intoshi. :ak J [nd Krishna Copal were passed over. Nor was cul- !I|ln-al background, imagination and Hair tor filmic kperimentation— so essential for a documentary [roducer— taken into account, as both Hariri Chatto- adhyaya and Chetan Anand were howled over, he first choice of the selectors for Deputy Control- r of Documentaries is reported to have been— we ive you three guesses— Mr. Mohan Bhavnani, di- sctor-husband of the former society star, Enakshi ama Ran, M.A., who in her turn is a close personal iend of the Socialist leader Kamaladevi Chatto- idhyaya. Now we know M. Bhavnani, the creator of such •tistic masterpieces as Zambo, Son of Zambo, Jadui ansari and liisivi Sadi. Personally we have no- 111* king against him. Tie is mild-looking, amiable, soft- wken, polite. An ideal dinner guest, a good friend, e are sure, a man of some culture and social larni. As a producer of pictures, poor fellow, he is been a failure — producing pictures which were ither box-office hits nor artistic triumphs nor leologically progressive. Whatever else they had ' hadn't, they did not possess any inkling of social alism and imaginative cameracraft which are the ery basis of documentary film production. Indeed, hat Mohan Bhavnani knows about documentaries in be written on a single finger-nail! Yet he was •ef erred to Ezra Mir, Krishna Gopal, Bhaskar ao, Harin Chattopadhyaya and Chetan Anand. *fhy? :to And who was selected as Deputy Director of Newsreels, the man who is supposed to give a popu- lar colour to our dull and drab newsreels and to make them into livewire screen journalism instead of the "historicals" which bring, sometimes, months- old news to the screen? The selector's eye of ap- proval (again according to our informant) fell on one Mr. Ved Prakash, about whom nothing else i3 known except that he is a cameraman for a foreign newsreel concern — probably the same company which depicted Indian freedom by giving shots of barbers and sweepers immediately after August 15! His sole qualification seems to be that he has been photographing the Viceregal Durbars and cattle shows and Princely weddings (which hitherto mo- nopolised the footage on India in foreign newsreels). It appears that (as required by the conditions ad- vertised! this candidate was asked as to his "jour- nalistic" experience, and he replied that (as a news- reeler) he was a member of the Foreign Press As- sociation! (Which reminds us of another candidate who, when asked what experience he had of docu- mentary production, replied that he was a sub- scriber to the London magazine, "Documentary Newsletter") . And so these two geniuses were to be put in charge of the vast Film Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and several mil- lions of the tax-payers' money placed at their dis- posal. But then something happened or someone in- tervened (we don't know which or who) and the appointments were held up, probably by the great Sardar himself, who must surely have seen through the unsuitability of both the choices. A last minute cable is said to have been sent to Ezra Mir who is in America to enquire if he is willing to take over charge but, failing him, the appointment of Mr. Bhavnani, we learn, would be confirmed. Meanwhile, it is rumoured that another "news- reel genius" has been discovered to take the place of Mr. Ved Prakash — and he is none else but our dear, chubby Sarvottam Badami! He is very much like Bhavnani — harmless, amiable, personally lik- able, but an undistinguished film director, innocent of any brilliance or distinction. Indeed, he is out- standing in his mediocrity. Always vainly trying to produce a commercial box-office hit, poor Sarvottam knows next to nothing about newsreels, about jour- nalism or about the fundamentals of reporting for the screen. KILLING BEFORE BIRTH? We cannot say for certain that Bhavnani and Badami will be finally appointed to these jobs — after all even in governmental appointments there's many a slip between the cup and the lip! But if the mind of the authorities is working along these lines, then we venture to say quite frankly that they are entrusting the all-important work of producing educative documentaries and newsreels to wrong hands, they are killing "Documentary Films of "BoiLDfMG BLOCK SOUND Western Electric "packaged** units make a sound recording system as easily rearrangeable as a child's box of building blocks. The Postwar Western Electric Sound Recording System consists of four units, compact enough to be mounted on a trailer or small truck. New units can be added . . . old ones replaced . . . the whole system is adaptable to an infinite number or uses. ONE Western Electric Recorder Does ALL your work! Interchangeable modulators allow you to use one machine for recording by both the Variable Density and Variable Area methods- The same apparatus can be adapted to either 16 mm. or 35 mm recorJing by changing the sprockets and film pulling mechanisms which are mounted on easily removable dowelled plates. Relatively simple chan- ges in the recorder and noise reduction units of the Series 600 and 700 Systems permit them to be us.;d for either IOO mil standard or 200 mil push- pull recording. Sound Engineers will readily appre- ciate the economy and convenience of this feature. i. Mixer 2. Transmission Equipment 3. Recorder 4. Power Supply These and olher revolutionary new-features make the Western Electric Postwar Sound Recording Systems the best ever for simplicity, convenience, economy of operation, and downright value for money. As for quality— our record speaks for itself. Out of IS "Oscars" awarded by the American Motion Picture Academy for SOUND RECORDING, no fewer than 15 have been won by Western Electric. Whatever your requirements in the field of sound equipment, Western Electric can meet them! RADIO TRANSMITTERS • HEARING AIDS- RS • MICROPHONES S • LOUDSPEAKERS Western Electric Company of kidia The liability of the memberj is limited METRO HOUSE - P.O. BOX 1232 - ESPLANADE ROAD - BOMBAY uly, 1948 FILM INDIA idia" and "Indian News Review" even before they born ! I With no malice to any of the candidates • men- loned above— we bear no prejudice to them and at 'last two of them are our personal friends— we wish |i warn the Government against any such appoint- ments. Not only is a budget of millions involved Jit also (and that is even more important) the art edium which is to spread information, education ad enlightenment to the millions of our country- icn. The medium itself is new and none of our ve- rans of the commercial cinema are capable of andling it. They have neither the intellectual (rareness nor the modern minds to understand and tilize documentaries and news-reels. We have no preference for any of the other mdidates. But we would like to lay down what in ar opinion are the basic and essential qualifications IT these two important jobs. If the selection autho- ties agree with our view, they can judge each mdidate accordingly and choose the right man. The man who is appointed Deputy Director of locumentaries — i.e., given the top position in tic ocumentary field — should have experience of pro- ucing documentaries, as distinct from commercial ature films. (Producer X may have given 3 Silver ubilee hits and yet may not be able even to spell Documentary"! I He must have a cultural back- round (not necessarily university degrees) , an in- fest in the Hair for non-commercial, experimental inema, and a lively imagination. He must be con- ersant with the works and techniques of the docu- mentary film makers and experimenters of Ameri- a, England, France, Italy and Russia. It goes •ithout saying that he must have a wide and varied nowledgc of the world and its affairs. In addition 3 these, of course, he must also have administrative apacity to be able to run a department. If no one i found possessing all these qualifications, at least aere must be someone who has most of them. But, dually, it is a question of approach — as a fihn- naker, either one has an approach or one hasn't— nd if he hasn't, he should be out, even if he lias roduced six Golden Jubilee Hits! Generally it will e observed that those who are steeped in the tra- jition of the orthodox commercial cinema have no ptitude for documentaries. As for the Deputy Director of Newsreels, the "^liieal man, of course, would be a combination of a first class journalist and a first class film man. But tflich a rare combination being unavailable, we must llemember that in newsreels the element of NEWS lp infinitely more important than just the mechani- M al aspect of filming the events. A competent and f mart Special Correspondent or News Editor with knowledge of the world and a reasonable interest v p films can pick up the technical knowledge of ewsreel production in three months, but an ordi- ' ary film director may take ten years and yet fail, acquire the "nose for news", that almost instinc- tive feeling for events of news value which journal- ists take decades to develop. So we would suggest that a top-notcher from among the journal- ists should be selected to fill this post, with an ex- perienced newsreeler to assist him in technical matters. To expect the Deputy Controller of News- reels to be actually a newsreel cameraman is as silly as to select your Minister for Industries from among the mechanics of a workshop or the operatives in a mill! SCREEN AS TEACHER In our survey of the "chhota" films which our "Buna" sahebs of New Delhi are trying to deal with in their typically Bureaucratic manner, we come to the educational pictures for use in school- rooms as visual supplements to book-learning. We find that suddenly all provincial govern- ments have become visual-education-minded and schemes are being launched in several provinces for the production and exhibition of educational films both in schools and, through publicity vans, in vil- lages for mass education. The Bombay Government we are glad to find, has taken the lead by the ap- pointment of a Visual Education Board which has promptly gone ahead with planning a programme of educational films which will be made by inde- pendent producers, in accordance with the require- ments and instructions of the Board. This is a step in the right direction, though we have to await the actual production of these films to comment on their technical and educative value. We learn that similar schemes are being planned in other provinces, too. There is clear need, therefore, for co-ordination of this provincial activity by the Central Government's Ministry of Education, so that unnecessary and wasteful over-lapping is avoided. After all, the same film on malaria, for in- stance can be shown (with commentary in different local languages) in all the provinces. Why should each province undergo the expense of individually having to get such films produced? As it is, they are forced to plan on their own, because there is no central organization to guide them and co-ordinate their respective activities. Newsreels, documentaries and educational films — produced on the right lines — can give a tre- mendous fillip to the cultural regeneration of the country. But if this nation-building work is to be carried on haphazardly and in the stultifying at- mosphere of bungling Bureaucracy, favourtism and nepotism, then it will prove nothing but a costly toy for a few to play with — for which the millions of our half-starved countrymen will have to pay! The Government cannot afford to tinker with a medium that can, and should, be the eyes and ears of the nation. For Territorial Rights Please Contact: — M/s MAYA FILMS.si. Dubash Market, Sheikh Memon Street, BOMBAH This section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a mm who knows his job. I Lt PREMIER NEHRU'S ATTENTION IjNews was received from Los Angeles some si in April last (wide "filmindia" May issue) i film-actor J. Carrol Naish was booked to play irole of Mahatma Gandhi in a picture of the iraphy of Gandhiji which some "unknown wealthy lish oil man" who had "planned to make a cou- Uof pictures with unlimited backing'' was to pro- I. It was also revealed by actor Naish that the risher in question was not J. Arthur Rank or any i prominently identified with English films. I am not at all interested in knowing who this Etish oil man" is, but I would emphatically put lat whoever it may be, he has no business to r national consciousness today is being killecl starvation, corruption, profiteering and day; robbery that are all so rampant and widesp that the authorities had almost to declare their i helplessness to suppress them even partially. SULTANAS IN SEX-TRADE A certain ''Madame Kishori", when arrestee the Bombay Police recently on the charge of ii upon the earnings of prostitution, called herse film actress. Shortly after her arrest, the Secre of the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Associa had to publish a press note saying that "Mad! Kishori" was no film actress and that the film1 dustry should be spared the ignominy such sc ments are likely to cause it. A few days later Ismet Sultana was detected by the Police and I a little later another Sultana, this time Anvar. I fell into the trap of the Vigilance Branch. Two charged with the same offence as Madame Kis have been arrested and are now under trial. Who are these 'Madames', 'Kishoris' and ' tanas', who call themselves film actresses? Evide some extra girls who are put up in crowd see choruses or dance ballets and whose very names unknown to the producers and directors of the tures wherein they work. There is no law to pre It's no parrot cry, but wise advice, to keep on contacting your Kodak dealer. Sooner or later, he'll be able to supply you from incoming stocks of the world's greatest camera. Lumenized lenses and Synchro-flash shutters now also listed. ahe temperament of the star! Those fond of arranging musical programmes .f film stars at private functions may do well in fu- ure either to avoid the idea of extending to the ;eneral public the benefit of their expensive luxury ■r, if that is perfectly agreeable to the star, to leave lo room for excuses or loopholes as would occasion uch trouble as evidenced in Surat. Meanwhile, one aay well ask: Is Shanta Apte who has made lakhs a her time and is still regarded as a prominent film tar so much in need of cash that she must go about inging at marriage 'jalsas' for a price — like a com- lon entertainer? •T WAS 52 YEARS AGO I wonder how many readers of "filmindia" now the fact that the first cinema show was held ^i Bombay in the year 1896 by two Frenchmen, the ,umiere brothers — Louis and Augustus, of whom he former died recently. A small theatre was im- rovised in the Watson Hotel located in the Water- )o Mansion (now the Mahendra Mansion) opposite [ing Edward VII's equestrian statue (Kala Ghoda) n what is now known as the Mahatma Gandhi Road, 'he theatre was big enough to accommodate only 00 spectators and the fee per head was Rs. 2|-, a it less than what we now pay for a fairly com- Drtable seat in a good Bombay picture-house. They eld four shows every day, thus collecting an un- axed daily income of Rs. 1,600 or a weekly net of lira Misra is appropriately cast as Sumitra in ^pociated Pictures' forthcoming Hindi film, "Sabyasachi". Khurshid (Jr.) is starred in Parker Films' maiden production "Basant Panchami", produced by A. P. Parker. Rs. 11,200 without having to incur any appreciable expenses on theatre staff or publicity. Many an ex- hibitor, distributor and producer might well envy this collection today. The movies in those days were described in the advertisements as 'Animated Photographic Pic- tures 'The Wonder of the World' and 'The Marvel of the Century'. Regular cinema shows, however, were started in Bombay only as late as 1907 when a branch was opened in India of the Paris firm of M. Charles Pathe who is still hale and hearty at the ripe age of 82 though he has now retired from the picture business and his name was till very lately associat- ed with the picture-house at the Lamington Road now known by the name of Swastik under its new Indian ownership. It may be equally interesting to know that the Excelsior Cinema was first started in a tent with the equipment and films supplied by M. Pathe, and in competition with it an enterprising Indian, Mr. P. B. Mehta started another cinema also in a tent, in the Maidan now known as Azad Maidan, and named it the America-India Cinema, which was later shifted to a pucca built theatre on the Sandhurst Road and admitted spectators for a small fee of annas 2 per head in the lowest class. So the cinema was brought to the City of Bom- bay and thence carried to other cities of India, neither by the Americans nor by the British as many in India believe, but by the French, who however, have absolutely no interest in the ever expanding exhibition trade in our country today. 13 INTENT on ACHIEVING FREEDOM for her country and kind . . She preferred Service to ENJOYMENT- W-I-N-A-Y-A-K-'S Last tribute to Bapuji and Mother India. BHOOMRADDI Productions' Great Offering BHOOMRflOQI 'PRODUCTIONS BUOOMRODDI fsJjl) PRODUCTIONS m inkar Pofi I SHANTA APTE SHAHU MODAK - SALVI - Lata - Baby Nanda - Vijaya - Jankidas and WINAYAK Next Change at SWASTIK BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS Please NOTE the f 22, Bhailal Bhuvan, 118, New Chinchbunder Road, NEW ADDRESS { BOMBAY 9. (In this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month— some anxious and several frivolous — it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treated in an informative and humorous sirain and no offence is meant to anyone.) B. ASTHANA (New Delhi) Do you agree with the popular wish that our ibassadors abroad should always wear white indhi caps to distinguish themselves? The ccPL Y FOR BOOKING \ NOW READY FOR RELEASE NAVAYUG CHITRAPAT LTD,, SHA"T POON A I Tripti Mitra and Raj Kapoor have a tense moment n "Gopinath", Shanti Lok Chitra's maiden social production. to the white Gandhi rap. Black is a convenient colour, it has no shades and its virtue is con- sistency. A. RAGHAVAN (Anantapur) I have seen people over fifty staring at young girls with so much filth in their looks. Is there :i R-ay to cure them? Surdas pierced his own eyes so that desire may not enter the soid through the eyes. What do you think, of the politics in Madias? They have the colour of the people. PRADEEP L. TANNA (Kandivli) How is it that blind people are generally gay ind cheerful? People who can't smile with their eyes smde with their faces to push away the tragedy of their life at least temporarily. I .AX Ml VENKATARAMAN (Erode) What is the reason for my husband's devil Jances when he finds me reading your extremely in- teresting magazine? So you get double entertainment and the second one without paying for it. MRS. SUSHILA K. DALAL (Bombay) What is your opinion about marriage; is it a SHl sacred bond or a mere contract? J think it to be a sacred and sentimental tie if both the parties love each other. Other- wise it is an Islamic contract. FILMINDI A M. S. SHARMA (Dalmianagar) Can efficient agitators be efficient administra- tors? The jail pilgrims are in office now and there is not much of applause. ISHWAR V. MAHBUBANI (Bombay) Who is your best friend and how do you treat him? No one likes ?ne_ and if someone does he is superhuman. I criticize people and I can't be both — honest and popular. How do our present-day ministers — once stag- nating in the dark dungeons — feel like now in the palatial bungalows of the government? Some of them probably feel like sending others to the dark dungeons so that when their turn comes they can also- enjoy the palaces with equal zest. Drinking, dancing and the company of dames — do these lower the status of a person in the eyes Of the world? It docs if the purpose behind them has a fishy smell. P R. KALA (Meerut) W. Z. Ahmed has grossly misrepresented Hin- duism in "Meera Bai". Such a picture should be banned. What do you suggest? .1/;/ job finishes immediately I criticize a picture and point out its defects. It is for our popular governments to take up from ichere I leave. It is the duty of the government to pro- tect our people and their religious susceptibili- ties. RUSTOM D. R. WADIA (Bombay) In how much time can a layman learn collo- quial Hindustani? There is Hindustani and Hindustani from Satd> Log's "Chokra"" to the Delhi man's "Iluzur". Between these ends is a wide gulf of two centuries. JITTA BHASKARA RAO (Bapatla) How can I help if a female refugee comes along to me for shelter? If she is a child adopt her as your little sister, if of your age marry her provided you are free and she agrees, and if she is old icorship her like a. mother. Women are useful differently at different ages. TOPAN L. SHAIIANI (Bombay) I find that the Gujrati community is the most talkative community 1 And Gujratis think that the Sindhis have spoiled the landscape of Bombay! WAZIR CHAND CHOPRA (New Delhi) Would you mind advising your tortoise shaped friend Seth Jagat Narain to install a better sound 23 Ably Supported By : SANKATHA PRASAD ★ MURAD ★ N. KABIR ★ YUSUF SULEMAN ★ SHEELA * E. K. KAVINDRA and Many others Music . ANIL BISWAS Story, Scenario & Dialogue .•• Songs :- Sound j- KHAQUAN HUSAIN M.A. G.S.NEPALI R. CHATTERJEE ^bitzaHon & ix had sent from India by air mil. "I did not know what was com- ig but on the 3rd May, Mr. enoit Levy collected a huge ga- nering of his local American and rench friends and invited me to see the three objectionable films Child, Mother and Community — all with English commentary. In the last film there is a shot of a poor naked villager washing his feet in a pond and walking away from the camera with his buttocks open. Imagine the giggles and tin- suppressed amusement of the French and American men and women assembled to see these films. "It was enough to put me into a severe temper and forget my good manners. After the shew, I asked the audience to remain in their seats and listen to what I had to say about the films. Short of abuse, which the films richly deserved, I condemned the films completely and told the crowd that it was a dirty attempt by the United Nations to portray Indians as a nation of primitive people whom only the British could control all these years. "Mr. Benoit Levy and Mr. Wells tried to speak but I just shouted them down as by that time I was completely furious. ;"hey spread the red carpet for Mr. Baburao Patel and his family at he UNO. Film Division. Dr. Benoit-Levy, the Chief, is sho ving ad- ance 'stills' of the three objectionable films produced to slander India. Ifecruit Jogindar Singh Varma of Varma Studio, 96, Lower Bazar, Simla, is 20, 5'-5", can write songs and dialogue and is also fond of acting. "Subsequently I made an at- tempt to stop these films from be- ing shown to the members of the U.N.O. I failed in this attempt because our representative at the U.N.O. has hardly any status or influence with the U.N.O. "The film was shown to the re- presentatives of 58 nations, over 300 seasoned statesmen, as proof and justification of the good work done by Mr. Benoit Levy's Film Division. Mr. Benoit Levy asked for more money for the next year after having shown this "wonder- ful" work to the members of the U.N.O. ''Almost everyone, I am told, laughed at our people and our country. It is a shame that as a nation we have paid for a part of the cost to buy this disgrace. "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel must stop these films from being shown in foreign coun- tries. I am told that these films will be shown all over the world and millions will see our shame. The negatives of these films must still be in India and they could be frozen there by the Govern- ment if the Government acts quickly. "The Indians who associated themselves in making these films deserve every condemnation." 27 Lifting Your Heart To The Highland Of Romance ! f IT'S A DYNAMIC DRAMA OF LOVE, AND PASSION- IT'S A PICTURE A HUMAN HEART! DARE NOT MISS— Producers: KIDAR SHARMA & M. C. VARMA Original Story : F A MIRZA & V. SHARMA Music : S N E H A L Sr.reenplay, Songs & Dialogues: KIDAR SHARMA Directed by : KIDAR SHARMA Featuring :- BEGUM PARA BHARAT BHUSHAN PESSI PATEL, S. NAZIR and the sensational new find GITA BALI For CP. & C. I. Territorial Rights:- Messrs HAJAB & THAKKUR, 109. Esplanade Mansion, Mihatma Gandhi Rd., Fort, Bombay I, For Other Territories Contact: — For East I'unjab Territorial Rights:- SAJDEH KHANNAH & CO., Amritsar. For Delhi & U.P. Territorial Rights. Messrs. HARI TALKIES, Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Apply to VARMA FILMS, FlZZSErSSi Bombay. 4 Six Years Ago Indian Films Are "A Shameful Affair Said H. E. Rajagopalachariar ! >9 "When people wax eloquent on ; educational values and possi- ities of films, I think they are iking a rather tail claim. The •een is far too much a quick siness for educational work. For il teaching and learning the rsonal touch is essential. I be- ve in face-to-face teaching only. . best films could be good sup- ementaries". This is what His Excellency hakravarty Rajagopalachariar, Dvernor-General of India, said v years ago, in October 1942 to ilmindia's" representative. He eo added, however, "There is )thing in the world that does not ach...so the film can teach, liven a bad film can teach you ijlhat a good film should be like." | He further said, "Films should ft content with entertaining peo- || p. In that respect they have a Rod deal to do. They should aim I i providing good fun. I am not jjj kill-joy. I do not object to fun Bt all. But what crude and mono- tonous things we get under the Ulse claim that they are giving ■pmething new and different every lime! I have not seen more than Ijalf a dozen films in my life. Per- I japs it wa ; my misfortune that the I Indian ones I saw proved boring. | j hope they don't make all films 111 that way and I hope I am not j npatriotic when I say this, but II is hard to ask people to enjoy |nd laugh for the sake of swa- -leshi when you are out for a louple of hours' fun in a theatre. *|ou cannot continue to be a po- tician all the time". l\ Mr. C. Rajagopalachariar. who as now earned the distinction of ecoming the first Indian Gover- -for-General of the Indian Union, (lay have changed his political iews during the last six years rhich were the years of a great evolution in this nation's politi- al life, but there is hardly any j tason to believe that he has changed his views on films. It would be interesting, therefore, what he said then to "filmindiaV representative about our film sto- ries. Said he, "The stories from the Purarias that we have heard from our childhood from our grandmothers are too grand and too shrouded in mystery for their representation in films. I get a feel- ing of pain and torture when I see somebody or the other becoming Rama and Krishna and Xarada. It is all so repulsive. In their pic- torial representation, these sub- lime characters are ruined. And the crude sex-appeal that is intro- duced! No, it is all a shameful affair and 1 refuse to encour- age the propaganda for these cel- luloid Ramas and Krishnas and Naradas." If, as I hope, Rajaji has still retained his views of six years ago (and at his age people rarely change views), we have reason to be bappy about his selection as our first Governor-General, for we can hope that from the high office he now holds, he can do a great deal to improve the quality, standard and level of Indian films. None of the peoples' represent- atives who now rule the destiny of India's 300 millions have yet found time to seriously look into this very important subject which has so much to do with the men- tal, moral and social aspects of the life of these teeming millions. Perhaps they are busy attending to other matters of a much graver nature. The Bombay Presidency alone, however, is so far fortunate in having a Home Minister who is carefully and diligently study- ing this subject and seriously try- ing to make drastic improvements in our films. But since now we have a Governor-General whose views on Indian films are so en- H. E. Chakravarty Rajagopala- chariar, Governor-General of India. lightened and radical, we may be justified in expecting that he would find a little time from his political activities to devote to such an important matter as the films and take real interest in bringing about such reforms in them as have been needed for a long time and as could be brought about only by authority in a country like ours where the film producers have always had their eye on the box office collection and where the mighty potential- ities of the motion picture have never yet been exploited for the education and. enlightenment of and clean entertainment for a seething humanity of several hundred million poor, illiterate, ignorant, and neglected men and women. Let us hope, then, that India's first Governor-General from the Indian soil, who is already a great philosopher, social reformer and educationist may be the first man in that high office to make use of such a powerful instrument as the film in the proper way and sweep the film industry clean of all the filth and dirt and trash that have been painfully stinking within and about it for so many years. 2* WRITTEN , PRODUCED ^ DIRECTED fcV- AVlien 'Love' comes to roost anvitli ' Dosiro ' - each moment becomes ji lifetime Music : NINU MUZUMDAR With: NANDKI SHORE, RANDHIR, ANWARI BEGUM, SACHIN GHOSH, SHIVAJI RATHORE, MAHESH KAUL & BABY ZUBEIDA Photography: CH ANDU Executive-Produce)- : B. K AGRAWAL For Particulars:- M ANII-I (111 BB I A, 156 Tardeo, BOMBAY 7 OUR WOMAN'S PAGE Stay Stylish While You Have A Baby By •Joy Linden After the first flush of happiness and pleasure at the knowledge of the expected event, having a baby brings many problems. Among them is the question of suitable clothes which the mother-to-be can wear during the months pre- ceding the actual birth. Many women are more sensitive than they need be about their ap- pearance during this time, but carefully planned dressing is ne- cessary if the expectant mother is to look attractive up to the last moment, and in this a little ad- vice and encouragement are always welcome. Provided everything is normal, women will find that so far as ap- pearance is concerned they have never looked better. Their skin is usually soft and clear and their hair takes on an added lustre This is naturally an asset which combined with the right dress sen- se can be exploited to advantage. Modern methods now assume- that the mother-to-be will conti- nue to lead a normal life and with due care will carry out her usual duties. She will go out, entertain, shop and continue her household tasks. In fact, normal exercise and plenty of fresh air are of the greatest benefit to her. On this assumption she will naturally ap- pear in public as frequently as be- fore, and so a certain amount of skill and thought in the choice of her clothes will repay her. It is well for her to take stock of her present wardrobe and de- cide on which clothes can be easily adapted or worn comfortably without strain during the follow- ing months. Jerseys, blouses and r-kirts often prove unsuitable after the first few months. The former are too figure-revealing, giving a strained look to the bosom and a skirt, of course, cuts across the waist at a point where fluidity and smoothness are essential. Attention should therefore be given to any one piece dresses which she may possess. Fortunate- ly, the present fashion for soft draping and impressed pleats is K Evanova and Boris Chirkov in "Glinka", a Russian picture to be released through Diamond Pictures, Ltd. Munawar Sultana is shocked at something she did not expect in 'Meri Kahani", Super Team Fede- ral Productions' maiden picture. an advantage and any dress with these features will probably be wearable for part if not all the time. With a slight adjustment of the waist, which any good dress- maker can do, fullness and dra- pery can be temporarily regulated to allow for a gradual increase in size. There is usually one good shop in her district, or a large store with a department specialising in maternity wear, and it is an eco- nomy to buy or be measured for one properly designed maternity dress. If she can afford two, so much the better, for from a psy- chological point of view it is a good thing to be able to ring the changes. The monotony of wear- ing the same dress day after da)' has a depressing effect and en- courages an inferiority complex at a time when serenity and good spirits should be preserved. How- ever, if strict economy has to be studied one well-designed dress of becoming colour and suitable de- sign can be sufficient with the aid of accessories and one or two carefully chosen garments from her permanent wardrobe. In planning a wardrobe for this special period there are several simple rules to follow for preserv- 31 r PAKISTAN TO HINDUSTAN AND NOW IN AMERICA ^PAKKEK FILMS' Gorgeous programme of the year. PARDESI BALAM: Their Maiden production pro- duced at Lahore ( Pakistan ) is already completed and also released at key stations in India and Pakistan. BASANT PANCHMI: Their social hit full of mirth and melody with a new theme of the day. Under production i n Bombay ( Hindu- stan). Written and Pro- duced by : Prof. PARKER. Screenplay and Dialogue by: PANDIT GIRISH (Prakash Fame). STAR CAST; ALTAF ( Handscme hero of Chheen-le Azadi). KHURSHID (Jr.) Nightingale of Punjab who has earned the marks with Prakash, Minerva and Ranjit etc. MIRZA MUSHRAFF (A most laugh tempc of the screen). BHUDO ADVANI Digested about 100 Pictures without teeth in the mouth). CUCKOO, LILA KUMARI, TRILOK SHARMA AND D. BABUL AL ETC. RAJARISHI VISHWAMITRA: Producer Parker has pro- posed to send his assistant to America to study the at- mosphere and arrange to produce his next great Mythological subject at HOLLY- WOOD in Techni- colour. Write for Further Particulars to :• 256, Famous Cine Laboratory, Haines Road, Mahaluxmi, BOMBAY. WORLD RIGHTS CONTROLLED BY:- I 1 I I I I - I V \ I S P. O. Box No. 447, BOMBAY, I DON'T MISS TO HEAR The Melodious Songs of BASANT PANCHMI on Columbia Gramophone Recori July, 1948 FILM INDIA >g a quiet elegance of appear- Uice. Avoid anything that is too dd or will focus attention at any llint, such as a too wide belt, an 1/ersized pocket or too volumi- lius a sleeve. Bright colours, hoad patterns, plaids, checks or jripes tend to make the figure luch larger. Small designs, pin- iots, tiny checks or neat all-over wal patterns are a happier Loice. Rows of buttons down the font of a bodice should also be •oided. A too short dress, an irregular km or a close-fitting dress seek- g a slim effect can be grotesque, i fact the hem of a frock must b carefully watched and it is a >od plan to keep this one inch iwer than the prevailing fashion- pie length, at such a time. As to the actual design of a laternity dress, there is a wide noice, for special thought and till is now given to this type of arment, and no suggestion of owdiness or monotony is allowed p creep into the contour of the !resent-day dress. Simplicity of line is the aim, the i ont of the dress can fall straight j'ith concealed wrapover, which an be let out gradually from an djustable waistline. Alternatively ne or two soft impressed pleats re folded strategically under a elf-fabric belt or gathers are aught in at the back by elastic, L'hich automatically allows the ress to widen progressively. As n alternative to the side fasten- ng, some dresses are neatly zip- •ered up the back to just below he waist. The fashionable cross-over line, een on so many dress bodices ometimes is ideal, as it gives tiie necessary freedom. Similarly the •road square neckline in which an be worn a lace or pique gilet s very becoming. A soft, not too ull sleeve, gathered into a narrow vristband, is a good feature for a ongsleeved dress. A pinafore frock, with a long ross-over opening and a soft oose pleat running over the houlder, its fullness caught into i narrow belt, is a most practical l.oice, for it will keep your secret and at the same time keep you in step with fashion. Under this can be worn many blouses which other wise would languish by reason of their unsuitability. A full length coat is another es- sential possession, and here again the present new style is kind to the expectant mother. The straight falling swagger, with loose flared or pleated back is just the right kind of coat. . Materials are light and smooth and soft neutral shades predominate, another point in its favour, for it is advisable to wear light-weight materials both for outer and under garments. Warmth and lightness of cloth- ing should be studied, for as the months go by the exertion of ex- ercise may cause overheating and weariness if clothes are too heavy. It is better to wear a little extra light weight woollen underwear, with a fine woollen dress rather than a heavier weight dress and topcoat. Also, a good maternity belt is a great support and help to the figure. It is worth the extra ex- penditure for the expectant mo- ther to be measured for one at the same time as she chooses her dress. The line and fit of this will depend to a large extent on a good found- ation. One last word about hats. Over- trimmed or funny-looking hats should be avoided. The classic style is best. They can be large or small according to height, but their soft lines are feminine and becoming and need little trim- ming. * Vitaminized Wax *Vita: iine Hair Tonic — A sure cure for Dandruff A Tonic Food for the skin and an invaluable aid u beauty — Ideal for Pimples. VI/ MP (10) 33 L DIRECTED BY P. ARM A NG * Y. VINOKUROY S. REITMAN STARRING: PRODUCED AT LENIN MOSFILM STUDIO MOSCOW ft BORIS CHIRKOV ft V. MERKURIEV ft K. EVANOVA ft ft SASHA SOBOLIVE ft V. SEROVA ft E. KONDRATlEVA ft contact : DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. Grams: Box Office: Seksaria Building, Sandhurst Road, Bombay 4. Phone: 43400. SHASHI — ' Having attained stardom overnight by her commendable performance in "Doli" this loveh/ girl. Shashi, is now starred in All India Pictures' forthcoming .social "PUGREE" . a Famous release. ihc smsm ef EXT ^^•MADWU&ALA,RAMSIN( LEELA PANDEY&PRAN I ) 7 SEETR sufiufinitiR DURGA KHOTE, ANAHT MARATHE,SHAKUNTALA BALAKRAM S A N D H U£ tffP/A PUG KAMINI K0U5HAL SHA$HIKftLA,mS71f GOPE PnexLccc^ fa: Ffimot/s PICTUKIS* P YflR K, J EFT .. SURAIVA, MAMORAMA flEUMM, MJMEMfi & GOPB f^.-O.P. DUTT ures BAY, 7 SULOCHAMA CHATTEPJEE- BALWAMT SINGH Radhakiahan- Mumtazali Ramilngh, Tawarl, Sajjan, Jawahar Kaul, N. Shankcr, Babaraja, Karadkar, Nlrjan, Midin tlngh, Mont, Neclam Dularl, Satyaranl CUCKOO 25 Victoria Bldg ., Parsl Bazar St., Fort, Bombay Nonfimpetition with the Hollywood roduct. Some of these films ;.g. Open City from Italy) have tablished box-office records even New York, thus beating Holly- ood at its own game, on its ime ground! The second illusion, fostered by ena Derevschikova renders a HJiant performance in "The Stone Flower". Anti-Soviet propagandist, is that all Russian films are dull propa- ganda reels, devoted to singing the glories of Stalin and the com- munist ideology. Not many Rus- sian films manage to get shown in India but those that have been seen — e.g. Professor Mamlock, Childhood of Maxim Gorky, She Defends Her Country, Law Of The Great Love, Four P. M. After The War — show that there is a great variety of Russian films, ranging from light musical come- dies and romantic melodramas to serious political documentary films. BEAUTIFUL FANTASY Take, for instance, the colour film "The Stone Flower" (Pathar ka Phool) which has been dubbed in Hindustani. It has been pre- viewed by a number of critics, journalists and public personali- ties, including the Prime Minister oi India, Pandit .lawaharlal Ne- hru, who greatly enjoyed and ap- preciated it. Not even the most rabid enemy of the Soviet Union can find anything to criticise in this film which is a beautiful fantasy, photographed in brilli- ant colours, based on a folk fairy tale. It is the story of Danila, a peasant boy who learns the craft of stone-carving and creates beauty and life out of the soulless stone. If this film glorifies any- thing, it glorifies the artisan who is devoted to his craft. If it has a message, it is that the humblest worker can find beauty and poetry in his work, provided he applies himself to it with diligen- ce and earnestness. For the rest it is an enthralling fairy-tale with special appeal for the young boys and girls who will not only enjoy it but learn some- thing from it. The acting, as is usual in Rus- sian films, is natural and life-like, "THE STONE FLOWER" Producers: Mosfilm Studios Language: Hindustani (dubbed version) Scenario: Pavel Bajov and Ivan Keller Music: l. Schwarts Photography: Feodor Provorov Cast: Vladimir Drujni- kov, Elena Derevschikova, Tamara Makarova etc. Directed by: A PTUSHKO particularly good performances having been contributed by Vla- dimir Drujinkov (as Danilai and tAena Derevschikova (as Katva iJamlas sweetheart). Alexander Kleberer, as the old story-teller is convincingly garrulous, but Ni- kolai Temyakov as the nobleman gives a performance that is styli- zed—more a caricature than a portrayal. (This seems to be a general weakness of Soviet actor's treatment of bourgeoise charac- ters) . Technically— in the matter of colour photography, sets and spe- cial effects— the picture is a de- light and an achievement The dubbing of Hindustani dialogue lias been very well done. "TRIUMPH OF YOUTH" Even more inspiring than the lull-length 'The Stone Flower" is the newareel "Triumph Of Youth" winch records, in brilliant natural colour, the Annual Sports Festival of the Soviet Union. This festival is more than an athletic tourna- ment—it is a manifestation of the bubbling spirit of vouth, of the colourful variety of cultures in ttie Soviet Union, of the achieve- ments of the 30-years old Soviet State. And this film is much more than just a newsreel— photograph- ed by 35 crack cameramen, it be- comes a beautiful poem in colour- ful celluloid. Its theme is: Youth. Its appeal, therefore, is ageless and universal. 41 £#f4T P/CTl/P£ OF THE W/\ G fit AT F/Gf/T FOB FRFFOol Chhheed RAtfFSH SA/GAL S^*™% : KAMW/KAUSHAL -0/ UP KUMAR CHANDRAMOHAN- V H OESAI ~" REMANA, PREMADIB, MEENA. JW-. DAVID, MISRA ETC. 0ANCE3-J0N6S - £MTt*r£IMMMT-iM£ Ul- mODHU MUD . R°NJn KUmPRl- ^PPRU,KEJORI- RQjONflKOJQR, WUUUAS PARTICULARS:— AKASH CHITRA FAMOUS CINE LABORATORIES & STUDIOS LTD Haines Road, Mahalaxml, BOMBAY II. OUR REVIEW Sadiq Makes A Debut As Independent Producer Ratan Pictures' "Kajal" Is No "Ratan"! M Sadiq, the prize chela of A. R. Kardar, the wonder boy who hit the headlines with his first directorial venture, "Ratan", and who, ever since, has been cashing on that in one mediocre picture after another, has at last achieved the status of an independent pro- ducer. Backed by the money of Malika Pukhraj, he has started his own production company, Ra- tan Pictures. The name of the company, one presumes, is there to remind us that he who made one "Ratan" might also make another. Might! But he hasn't. "Kajal" is no box-office smasher, even though it is far from a flop. It would have been better if he had not invited comparisons with "Ratan". ECLIPSE OF MADHOK What prevents "Kajal" from | repeating the triumph of "Ra- ttan"? Sadiq reveals a surer grip I of technique, a maturer directorial 'hand, in his handling of "Kajal". compared to which the direction of "Ratan •' was amateurish. Tho technique — photography, sound, editing — is definitely better. Su- raiya lacks the poignance and depth of Swarnalata's performance but she is a good artiste in her own rights and has an appeal of her own. The songs are from the pen of the same Madhok, that magical melody-maker who is supposed to turn out song-hits on his matchbox-drum by the dozen every day. But, after seeing— or. rather, hearing — "Kajal" and other Ma- dhok masterpieces (e.g. Gaon) . one has to come to the conclusion that, while he never rated any ;ind of literary position, Madhok las even lost the trick of turning 3Ut popular songs and tunes. Over confidence, pampered vanity and mass production have been the mdoing of the Madhok "genius". TWO STORIES IN ONE Not only are the songs of "Ka- ial" no patch on 'Ratan' (for which music director Ghulam Mo- hamed, that much-boosted assist- ant of Naushad, must share the blame), but the story itself is a mediocre, patched-up business. It lacks compactness, sustained emotion and plausible characteri- sation. Wasti, as the spoilt son of a judge, a drunkard and a wastrel, acts with his usual boyish frivolity which ill suits a man of his size and age. Any way, he car- ries it off by his rather engaging playfulness and cocksure manner- isms. He is supposed to be about • to marry a 'respectable' girl when he falls in love with a gypsy dan- cer, played by Suraiya, who dan- ces with delightful vivacity, even ■ if without the most elementary rudiments of the terpischorean technique. The love develops to sublime heights within a night (Quick work, brother Wasti!) and, thanks to the old gypsy (played well by Gope), the lovers are united in holy wedlock. But the pair are driven out by the irate judge — who is none but our "KAJAL" Producers: Ratan Pictures Language: Hindustani Story and Screenplay: M. Sadiq Dialogue: Azm Bazidpuri Songs: Shakil Badayuni Music: Ghulam Mohamed Photography: R. L. Nagar Audiography: P. S. Misra Cast: Suraiya, Wasti, Gope, Jayant, etc. Released At: Roxy Cinema, Bombay Date of Release: 29th May, 1948 Directed By: M SADIQ old friend, Hari Shivdasani, and it is a rare treat to hear lectures against the 'demon of drink' from the lips of this great professor of alcoholics, heft high and dry, without a penny but with a pretty wife, Wasti is up to his tricks, he forges his father's signature on a series of cheques and, after hav- ing provided a tonga and pan shop to his gypsy friends and a mansion worth lakhs to his wife and pa-in-law, he resumes his re- searches in alcoholics. Drunken- ness leads to murder, the old judge has a heart stroke, Wasti goes to prison for life, and Surai- ya starts a new life in a far-away city, under the protection of papa Gope. Ashok Kumar and Rehana make a romantic pair of youthful, cheerful gipsies in Filmistan's picture "Sajan" now running at the Novelty. 45 FILM INDIA July, 194 Shyam, the handsome playboy, is starred in "Aaj Aur Kal", a come- dy of the future. Now story number two starts. Before going to jail, the erring husband had presented two child- ren to his wife, and these, in the course of years, grow into man- hood and maidenhood. The boy is to be married to the daughter of a big seth. The engagement party is on. Once a gypsy caravan pass- es. And, lo and behold, the de- formed drummer of this group of dancers is none other but the jailbird husband. Suspense. Psy- chological conflict. Background music. Will the wife allow her husband to smash her children's chance of happiness by casting his evil shadow over their home? But he is a crook, intent on blackmail- ing his own wife, determined to . . . .But does he succeed? No. Bang. There is a shot. Who kills whom? See the rest on the silver screen. It should be obvious that the bifurcated story can have little emotional or dramatic grip. Sa- diq's slick direction and scenario manipulation do mend matters to some extent but do not succeed in overcoming a basic weakness. THE BABY MUST GROW UP! Suraiya's performance needs a few remarks. This young artiste, who precociously started acting at too young an age, has the makings of a fine actress. But the too- riuick success seems to have warp- ed her faculties of progress. There are few artistes of her versatile talents — in acting, singing and 4* dancing (of sorts). She has youth, vivacity, and by now she and her make-up man and photographer have even overcome the handicap of plain looks. But she seems to have been taught by someone that acting means "eye work" — that strange ritual of flapping the eye- lashes which she has mastered even more than any other actress. During the latter part of "Kajal" she tries her best to look her part — a middle-aged woman — but she only succeeds in looking like Su- raiya made-up with grey hair and glasses for a drawing room play She lacks that intensity of a life of frustration and concentrated devotion to her children that the1 role demanded, and which artiste* like Swarnalata, Mehtab, Jamu- na or Molina could have provid- ed. Suraiya has still to work hard to reach their ranks. But a nine- teen-year old girl need not worry on that account. She has plenty of time to catch up with her se- niors. Mitchell UNSURPASSED IN QUALITY S EFFICIENCY Light, easy and noiseless in operation, the Mitchell (INC) Camera (featured below) is designed to meet the exac- ting requirements of Studio photograph). It is a light, easily handled camera and contains the complete film- moving mechanism mounted upon dovetail tracks for shifting from focusing to photographing position, and vice versa. FEATURES: FOCU- SING TELESCOPE REGISTER. ECCEN- TRIC MOVEMENT, t- WA Y MA TTES ADJUSTING KNOB, rrc HA/.ALBHOY l.lMITF.n MOTION PICTURE SOUND ENGINEERS 16. New Qu«en • Rod BOMBAY Off ICES AT.- CALCUTTA • LAHORC • MAORAS NCW DELHI • KARACHI 3UR REVIEW "Toot Tare" Is Commendable Maiden Effort Intelligent Story And Good Acting Make The Picture Interesting It is seldom that we get an in- telligent story for an Indian film, :'or most of our story writers are lot capable of writing on any mbject other than the boy-meets- !nrl affair and the triangle which nvolves either two boys falling 11 for the same girl or two girls 'or the same boy. "Toote Tare", therefore, is a [velcome relief from the nauseat- ng stuff usually presented by the mdian screen with the one and Lhe only story told in a thousand different ways. This picture has i novel theme, admirably free |rom the usual nonsense and a b'ery sensible one at that. For pnce, it has something to do with he stark realism of life instead of the Koels, Papihas. Sajan, Sa- \ani, Chand and badal. A zamindar's son, Swarup ['Sheikh Mukhtar) falls in love jvith a village maiden Radha I'Shamim) and secretly marries lier during his sojourn in a small rillage after having taken his t.C.S. examination in England knd returned home. The zamindar iMuradl, when informed of this, naturally gets enraged and acting linder the advice of and assisted ly an old friend, Diwan Madan- ;d (Kanhaiyalal) diplomatically llans to have the marriage auto- matically annulled. Under pretext If his own illness he calls away Iwarup from the village and j/hile at home Swarup, on leani- ng the news of the illness of his lounger brother who is in Eng- land, volunteers to rush to Eng- land to look after the brother, and although he is anxious to see Itadha before sailing, he is press- Id for time and depending on his lather's promise to get Radha fluickly brought home from the lillage and properly looked after luring his absence, sails for Eng- land. The zamindar's plans are well- laid. No letters written by the loving couple reach anyone of them as they are intercepted and destroyed by the zamindar's ser- vant. When Radha, after all, does come to the zamindar to claim her proper place as the mistress of the house she is summarily turned out by him with the assur- ance that Swarup had already forgotten her and probably mar- ried another and she would do better to forget him. Cursing her own lot and repenting the mis- take she had made in marrying a man from an aristocracy much above her own low station in life, Radha wanders from place to place in search of honest employ- ment but is turned out from everywhere. She finally finds re- fuge with an equally unhappy woman where she gives birth to Swarup's child — a daughter. On his return from England "TOOTE TARE" Producers: Omar Khaiyam Films, Ltd Language: Hindustani Story, Scenario and Dialogues: Sultan Siddiqui Songs: Anjum Pilibhiti and Rafiq Ajmcri Music: Shaukat Ali Photography: Jal Mistry Audiography: B. N. Sharma Cast: Shamim, Mridula, Harish, Kanhaiyalal, Sheikh Mukhtar etc. Released At: Royal Opera House, Bombay Date of Release: 4th June, 1948 Directed By: HARISH Swarup is told by the family friend Madanlal of Radha's faith- lessness in making good from the house with cash and jewellery and while Swarup is thus made to repent for his folly in choos- ing as wife a girl from the lower ranks of society, an old maid ser- vant of the house, who knows the truth, reveals it to Swarup and he then determines to find out Radha even from the remotest corner of the world. Years roll on; Swarup's unsuc- cessful search for Radha conti- Smriti is not frightened by the late Light House Pictures' forthcoming gigantic Durga Mota in "Nek-Dil", film, distributed by the Screens. 47 Starring : - ISHWARLAL, PARO, MUBARAK. Tlxeir romance in the green fields, treading the tough path of traditions arrived at the altar of marriage but.... the wicked eyes of the old man shattered their dreams to pieces. COMING SHORTLY TO YOUR FAVOURITE THEATRE. READY FOR RELEASE AND THEN - APAL A SATI NARBADA For Bombay Presidency Booking:- EVERSHINE PICTURES, 1 69, CH ARNI ROAD, BOMBAY 4. AKHTARI THE 'IT' GIRL OF PUNJAB COMES WITH A LILT ON HER LIPS IN KULDIP PICTURES' Maiden Muiical t-xttavacjan^a. PAPIHA-RE Co-Starring : AMARNATH - ASHA POSHLEY Direction : DAWOOD CHAND 'ARSr FAME ONCE AGAIN YOUR HEARTS WILL BE FILLED WITH JOY & YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE SONGS OF THIS PICTURE AGAIN AND AGAIN For Bombay Presidency Eookings:- Basant Film Distributors, 136, Girgaum, BOMBAY 4. ily, 1948 FILMIXDI A ies; and meanwhile Radha's lUghter Roopa (Mridula) grows id becomes a lovely maiden at- nding college where she falls in ■ ve with a classmate, Prem (Ha- <$h), an orphan picked up from e streets by Swarup and brought ) like his own son. The love affairs of these two mngsters bring about the meet- ' g of the long separated Swarup id Radha in some what strange rcumstances; the misunderstand- Jjg that kept Radha away from varup for 18 long years is clear- i and the picture has a happy . iding with Prem and Roopa bo- hg married and Swarup and Ra lia being reunited after a long lid painful separation. : Sultan Siddiqui deserves com- I liments for conceiving such a •nsible story and developing it ),» logically and smoothly through - llt. Things do not "happen" in I :ie story to suit the writer's con- .■•nience and poor imagination as i usual with our screen stories, jt they evolve naturally. He has ade the story both entertaining | iid purposeful inasmuch as it everly unfolds the social differ- jlices so strongly prevalent every - here in society between the rich i]id the poor which always make no poor pay for their association I I intimacy with the rich. i * ecruit N. S. Ramchandana of andra Hotel, Bandra, Bombay, 24, S'-i", studied up to Inter- ns, speaks Hindustani and has ;en a successful stage actor dur- ing school and college days. Sheikh Mukhtar does not im- press as the young lover in the first scenes of the picture on ac- count of his stern features, ab- normal height and unromantic acting. The potato in his left cheek is too apparent to induce even a village girl to fall in love with him. But in the latter part of the picture as the I.C.S. officer, the broken hearted elderly lover and father, as the judge trying his own wife for the offence of murder and as the man of matur- ed years making love in the re- strained and dignified manner be- coming that age to his long lost Radha, he gives the performance one should expect of him and is (piite impressive. Shamim gives admirably good work as the fru- strated lover, forsaken wife and blemished mother who makes a great sacrifice to give an un- blemished character to her dau- ghter. Murad as the zamindar has not much to do but docs that lit- tle as well as he can while Kan- haiyalal as Diwan Madanlal plays the villain perfectly well but fails to create humour when- ever he tries to do it. Harish does tolerably well as the young lover though his first overtures are un- becoming the educated son of a good family and draw the sympa- thy of the spectators away from him. Mridula too gives a good performance. On the technical side the pho- tography of the picture could have been better with a little ef- fort, but such as it is, it is toler- ably good and the sound record- ing not at all bad. The dialogue is brief, forceful and to the point, but suffers from an over-dose of Persianised Urdu at many places. A couple of songs are good and likely to become catchy but they suffer from the want of equally good music. A dance scene in the picture be- comes unbearable on account of the ugly features of the dancing girl and the inartistic movements of herself and her equally un- seemly dancing partner. The pic- ture will not suffer at all if the dance is altogether cut out from it even now, for it adds nothing to the other good aspects of the picture and it is time we now got over the stupid convention that every Indian picture must have at least one dance in it. Altogether "Toote Tare" is a commendable maiden effort of a newly formed producing concern and many old producers would do well to learn from it lessons that might help them to change their hiickneyed and stereotyped ways. We believe the picture should be- come quite popular among specta- tors. 49 PR AN MEHRA & BILIOOMEHRA wLth ■■ k. P. SEN CONTACT: SHREE AMAR PICTURES 5/2 GARSTIN PLACE, CALCUTTA: 1. OUR REVIEW More "Needi" Than "Oonch" ! Rise, Decline And Fall Of The Once Mighty New Theatres There is a tide in the affairs of I men — and movie companies. Like empires that have crumbled away I into dust, film studios, too, have la tendency to decline in prestige I and popularity after some years of temporary glory. Not many years ago the name New Theatres was a hallmark of quality — it signified _ a good story, brilliant direction, first rate acting, excellent technique. Direc- tors like the two Boses — Debaki and Nitin — and Barua; artistes like Saigal, Jamuna, Uma, Na- wab, Kanan, Molina, Sanyal, writhviraj ; music directors like Boral and Pankaj Mullick; writ- iers and poets like Ami and Ke- Idar Sharma and Sudershan; ca- Imeramen like Nitin Bose and Bi- Imal Roy — what a galaxy of talent Ihas been contributed to the Indian Jfilm industry by that studio of the famous Elephant brand. Master- pieces of filmic art like Chandidas, Devdas, Dhoop Chhaon, President, Yidyapat:, Manzil, Abhagin, Ban fflidi and Doctor immediately ccme to mind whenever the name of New Theatres is mentioned. Indeed, the release of an N. T. picture used to be an eagerly- awaited event. But the once glorious reputation has been steadily undergoing an eclipse, so that now New Theatres pictures come and go, without ei- ther creating an impression on the box-office nor on the connoisseur 3f film art. During the last five years, only one picture has im- pressed the public and the trade — jBimal Roy's surprise triumph, fiamrahi. But for it, we would have even forgotten that an insti- tution like New Theatres still pxists. ANOTHER ACHHOOT STORY! The theme and subject matter j)f "Oonch Neech", the latest pew Theatres production to reach j.he screen, would have impressed lis definitely — ten years ago\ jrhen, of course, the very selection I'f such a story would have been rightly regarded as a progressive and daring step, worthy of com- mendation. But umpteen different pictures on this theme have ap- peared since then — including Bombay Talkies' Achhoot Kanya, Ranjit's Achhoot, New Theatres' own Doctor, Navyug's Paroo, to mention only a few names. There is no longer anything original or unusual in a film based on an "Achhoot" story. It is only by in- terpreting the theme in an origi- nal and striking manner, or by giv- ing it a contemporary context, that the "old wine" could have been made acceptable and palatable in "new bottles". Not having done that, the New Theatres depended only on their trade name to pass off old stuff — and have conse- quently suffered. "Oonch Neech" is the simple — over-simple — story of an untouch- able girl having been brought up as the daughter of a high caste family, falling in love with the same young man as her high-caste sister, the discovery of her real identity and the consequent sui- "OONCH NEECH" Producers: New Theatres Ltd. Language: Hindustani Story: Benoy Chatter jee Dialogue: Amjad Hussain Songs: Ramesh Pande Music: Pankaj Mullick Photography: Sudhin Ma- jumder Audic-graphy: Shyam Sun- der Ghosh Cast: Bharati Devi, Sumitra Devi, Paul Mahendra, Hiralal, Purnendu etc. Released At: Minerva Talkies, Bombay Date of Release: 11th June 1948 Directed By: HEM CHUNDER cide. In between, of course, there are any number of inconsequen- tial sequences showing the love with which the humble-born girl is brought up, her naive and care- free nature, and an attempt is made to inject a bit of sophisticat- ed cynicism through the character of Doctor Choudhary, the philo- sopher-reformer-cynic. But "Oon- ch Neech" remains a goody-goody insipid story in old Bombay Talk- ies tradition (reminiscent of Jcevan Naiya and Janmabhoomi) and nothing much happens except Suraiya and Karan Diwan make a lovely pair of youthful lovers in "Shakti", Greater Bombay Pictures' maiden production. SI FILMINDI A July, 194 Recruit Umesh C. Rastogi, M.A., of Midland House, Kanpur, a law student, is 5'-8", 23 years old and quite anxious to enter the film profession. the suicide right at the end. What is most deplorable is that the theme of untouchability that has been taken up is nowhere support- ed by a dramatically strong ac- tion. We see neither the plight of the untouchables nor the emo- tional conflict between the two sisters. Every one seems to be good and kind and the "problem" is supposed to be presented through processions and a well- sung but badly rerecorded theme song, Karwaten badal raha za- mana*. Benoy Chatter jee who wrote the story for the screen deserves compliments only for good inten- tions, a progressive social outlook and (for Indian pictures) a civi- lised restraint and understatement —which, however, having been overdone, are responsible for the dullness of the narrative. SUMITRA SCORES Bharati who plays the low-born sister acts with her usual plump- ish charm and naivette. Her school-girl personality is refresh- ing in contrast with crude sexiness of Rehanas and Gitas, who some- times try to play similar roles in other pictures. But the acting honours really go to Sumitra as the idealistic elder daughter trying to live up to the expecta- tions of her deceased father. She has poise, dignity, expressive eyes and an air of sincerety and earn- 52 estness that was required in her role. Purnendu looks softy-softy as Ranjan, the boy loved by both the sisters but he has a clean and healthy look which, with greater experience and slight 'toughening up, holds promise of developing into better acting talent in the future. Where this picture really scores is in the creation of the authentic atmosphere of the old-world feu- dal society of Bengal. Such fideli- ty of detail is seldom achieved in our pictures. The photograph which is imaginative considerabl helps in creating and sustainin the atmosphere of the picture Unfortunately, the sound-record ing and specially re-recordin leave much to be desired. Thu the songs which, as they are, hav not much of popular appeal, hav suffered from bad recording, too. On the whole, a clean, whole some, good intentioned but insipi picture which is not likely t make box-office history. fcfef ciiciii DIRECTED BY MANIBHAI VYAS Next change at 1 3J i* E it t A A J I T Release OUR REVIEW "Gunsundari"— A Picture For The Conservative Gujaratis Reactionary And Worn-Out Theme Presented In A New Garb About eight years after their first talking picture in Gujarati, (Achhoot), Ranjit gives another Gujarati picture. Though Gun- svndari is produced under a dif- ferent brand, namely Ajit Pic- tures, everyone knows that this new brand is only on off-shoot of Ranjit and Chandulal Shah is the boss of it. It is, therefore, a Ranjit picture all in all though it does not bear its brand. As a matter of fact almost all social pictures of Ranjit are Gu- jarati pictures inasmuch as they depict the life of the Gujaratis and all the characters therein are Gujaratis. But so far they were being produced in Hindi. This one is a picture of the Gujaratis in their own language. THAT "IDEAL WIFE" AGAIN The picture Gunsundari was originally produced by Ranjit in 1934 in Hindi and Chandulal Shah who wrote the story for the picture also directed it. The pre- "GUNSUNDARI" Producers: Ajit Pictures Language: Gujarati Songs and Music : Avinash Vyas Screenplay and Dialogue: Chaturbhuj Doshi Photography: H. S. Kavatra Audiography: Hasmukh Mistri Cast: Niroopa Roy, Manhar Desai, Dulari, Sa- ras vaU, Babu Raje, Chhagan (Ro- meo) etc. Released At: Swastik Ci- nema, Bombay Date of Release: 10th Jan- uary, 1948 Directed By: RATIBHAI PUNATAR sent picture can safely be called the Gujarati version of that 14- year old picture with some chang- es in characters and a few modi- "What do you say to that?" asks Surendra to Munawar Sultana in "Meri Kahani", Super Team Federal Productions' maiden picture. Recruit I. A. Madani, of 7 Khadija Bai Building, 2nd Floor, Room No. 1, Mahim Bazar Cross Road, Bom- bay is a graduate, 5'-10" and kno vs singing. fications and additions here and there. As such it becomes a 100 per cent Gujarati picture typical of the Gujarati society of half a century ago which the reaction- aries and conservatives in that society very much miss and pro- foundly wish for its revival. As such the picture has become very popular with this class of specta- tors in which the Gujarati com- munity abounds. Gunsundari is the story of an "ideal", faithful, chaste wife who has been taught to regard her husband as her God on earth; to overlook all his shortcomings, fol- lies, vices and sins; to sacrifice her all for him and, though lite- rally kicked by him, to lick his very feet that deal the kick. Shrewd businessmen and clever diplomats such as the Gujarati men are, they have always want- ed their women to remain their playthings, their obedient slaves and devotees and dolls of flesh for the satisfaction of their sex-hun- ger. They would give them all that the women want by way of mundane pleasures — rich food, ex- pensive garments and jewellery, beautifully furnished spacious houses, motor cars, servants and all such comforts as money can buy. But in return they would ex- pect their women to confine them- selves to the four walls of the house, to limit their movements 53 a OMllf have pleasure to announce tliat tlieij liave bought trie perpetual riqhts of exhibition, distribution and exploitation of the following pictures for the following territories :- FOR SOUTH INDIA & CEYLON ONLY A NOVEL TYPE OF STUNT PICTURE 8HER-DIL Starring: NAVAL, SATYARANI, FAZLU, ZUBEDA ETC. Directed by: NOSHIR ENGINEER FOR ALL OVERSEAS ONLY ( 1 NARANG PRODUCTIONS' besl Musical and Dancing Melodrama. y EH Hfil ZIRDRGI Starring: Narang, Begum Parveen, M. Ismail, Kalavati & Roofi Dancer. Music by: C H I S T I E . SHREE RAJ PICTURES' social hit D £\ P Starring Urmila, Paresh Bennerji. :i ) _ __ _ Starring: Radha Rani, AlSA"KEUN Urmila, Iftikar, Kamta Prasad etc. (4 RASIK PRODUCTIONS- grand thriller. BliHCK-mRRKET Starring: Dulari, Dilavar, Habib, Manan & Nilam etc. ( 1 ) FOR BURMA ONLY Four sure box-office stunt hits. I VI Bll 'I Starring : Noshir, Satya- rani, Master Bacha. Chaman etc. Starring : Benjamin, Yasmini, Manan, Malika, Iqubal etc. n n m n k HTTEIITIOn Starring : Dulari, Bhim, Dilavar, Habib t Nilam, Sharda. DAGAMJDOST Starring : Rajarani, Yeswant Dave, Nawaz, Mumtaz etc. Rights of this picture for Far East territories are also with us. FOR BOMBAY PRESIDENCY ONLY UAJAN 'PICTURES' marvellous full fighting picture. TAQDIRWALE alias LUCKY FRIENDS Starring: Nilam, Habib, Rajan, Chandrika, Fazlu, Putli, Shanta Desai, Maqbul, Manan etc. Shortly to be released at NISHAT TALKIES, Bombay. For Delhi, U.P. East Punjab, & Bombay Presidency Your favourite brand new six action serials 1. RAIDERS OF GHOST CITY. 4. LOST CITY OF THE JUNGLE. 2. MYSTERY OF THE RIVER BOAT. 5. THE SCARLET HORSEMAN. 3 ROYAL MOUNTED RIDES AGAIN. 6. GANG BUSTERS. ^/oz te.rxikoxi.aC xicjliti & Lroohing fitazis. contact :- TEL. ADD. JAYACHITRA. TRIUMPH PICTURES LTD. Near Congress House, BOMBAY, 4. lly, 1948 FILM INDIA lecruit G. B Tol of 248, Main >treet, Poona is 23, 5'-8", music- ninded and has often played in ;chool dramatics He is a matri- culate. .mom: their relative- and caste- feople, to look after all the com- forts of their husbands— their hrds and masters— and never to [robe into their affairs. They are ttpected not to question _ the Movements of the husband either kithin or without the house, not o suspect their morals and not to ntter a word of protest even if he husbands have their "affairs" Lith other women including pro- fessionals. They should never tnow the business affairs of the [usbands, and while thanking fiieir lords for what they give, mould always be prepared to sur- jender their bodies for their lords' list whenever required and should fear them sons to inherit their Lealth. J Such is the ideal for a Gujarat i Ionian placed before her for cen- kirics and deeply infused in her fence her childhood. And this was Ihe ideal taught by the Gujarat i Rage for decades to the Gujarati hciety. THIRD-HAND COPY! Chandulal Shah's story of Gun- vtndari was copied from an old Imjarati stage-play called .Sa«- \eet Lilavati which was very opular four decades ago. nd the popularity of Ajit's Gun- sundari leads us to believe that the society is still where it was four decades ago and refuses to move an inch forward with the ever progressing times. Coming to the picture itself it should be said to the credit of all those who have contributed to its production that they have correct- ly gauged the intellectual and psychological level of their society and the standard of its tastes and have succeeded in catering to them. A much cleaner and techni- cally better picture than the seve- ral mythological, historical and legendary Gujarati films produc- ed in recent times that compelled "Judas" to write his note in the May issue of "filinindia", Gun- sundari has been a phenomenal box office hit as a provincial lan- guage picture, mostly on account of its language, for there are mil- lions and millions of Gujaratis yet who cannot understand Hindi or Hindustani and would enjoy a picture in their own language which they find easiest to follow. They also like the comic part of the picture having been accustom- ed for years to that type of buffoo- nery on the Gujarati stage. They like those stupid songs like Kahe- ne mari sajani and An hotel ni room kero number pundet having never known better poetry than that of the Gujarati stage — the most primitive and crude in the world. The artistes have done tolerably well, Niroopa Hoy. 'we won- der who this Gujarati girl with an assumed Bengali name isi hav- ing done very well as the "ideal"' Gujarati wife of the conception of Chandulal Shah and Hatilal Punatar. Dulari as Kusum also delivers the goods all right while Mannar Desai in the role of Chandrakant is tolerably good. Saraswati as Xeelamani can hard- ly be expected to attract any other young man except Chandra- kant, who must fall for her be- cause it is ordained in the story. Chhagan (Romeo) the well known Gujarati stage comedian plays a perfect buffoon such as his audi- ence appreciates but to anyone; with an artistic taste for screen acting he is nauseating. Balm Raje as the Communist young man gives good work and speaks Gujarati with a diction, and ac- cent rare for a Maharashtrian. Songs and music are appropri- ate to the level of the Gujarati audience and camera work and sound recording are . quite good. The dialogue is simple, effective and intelligent. The picture has a special ap- peal for the reactionary and un- progressive Gujaratis and there being quite a provinceful of them in India, it should do well at the box office. the Supreme Gift and chief adornment can now be yours with Kesavardhini. Your nose and chin are condemned to a monotonous sameness ; but of your hair, you can make dreams as at Ajanta. Begin the day's Beauty Ritual with your hair — and Kesavardhini. Let your coiffure accent your charm ; by growing and preserving young, lovely hair, let Kesavardhini accent your coiffure. Give your hair TODAY ! PRESERVES, GROWS AND BEAUTIFIES HAIR Kesavardhini „ As. 14 Kesavardhini Shampoo ... ... As. M Postage and packing extra SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS COIMBATORE. 55 What Will Undid Jllke <)n 2048 ? SEE THE INDIAN SCREEN'S MOST SENSATIONAL FANTASY CHITRA PRODUCTIONS LTD'S A A3 KAL (Today And Tomorrow) Starrin ; : NAINTARA, SHY AM and NIT A with ARIF (as John Pardesi) Written & Directed by: K. A. ABBAS Music : KHURSHID ANWAR For Territorial Rights : DEWAN KHUSHI RAM, 113 Burn Bastion Road, DELHI Bengal: KINEMA EXCHANGE LTD. 3, Madon Street, CALCUTTA Dt Ihi & East Punjab : AMRIT RAI SOOD, AMRIT PRODUCTIONS, 113, Naya Bazar, DELHI This Liner will Lead you To OVERSEAS To Earn SHIPFUL of MONEY MOHAN PICTURES A Series Of Box-Office Hits (1) HIND MAIL (2) J ADU - 1 - SINDOOR (3) POLICEWALI (4) J ADU - 1 - ANGOOTHI (5) RATAN MANJRI (6) J ADU - 1 - SHEHNAI (7) DYNAMITE (8) J ADU -I -CHITRA (9) KISMET ka SITARA (10) GAIBI TALWAR AND (11) JAI HIND FOR OVERSEAS And Other Territorial Rights, Apply To RAMNIKLAL MOHANLAL & CO. KHETWADI MAIN ROAD - BOMBAY - 4. M & T FILMS LTD. (Bombay) Two pictures of the company, "Delhi Durwaza" and "Ghungh- roo" which are now under pro- duction at their studios at An- dheri, are progressing steadily under the direction of Aspi Irani and Manibhai Vyas respectively. R. S. Chaudhari wrote the story for "Delhi Durwaza," while the story of "Ghunghroo" conies from Mulkraj Bakhri. Snehaprabha Pradhan, Aga Jan and Wasti are the stars featured in these pictures whose cast includes many other popular artistes. Yet another picture under pro- duction at the company's studios to C. R. Productions' "Phoolzadi" directed by Hari Singh. FAMOUS PICTURES, LTD. (Bombay) Murli Movietone's "Shravan Kumar", a mythological picture from tlu> Ramayana is released through this well known firm of distributors, at the Capitol. Di- rected by Ram Daryani, the pic- ture stars Mumtaz Shanti and Pahari Sanyal supported by such veterans as Chandramohan, K. C. Dey, Gope and Gulab. Another Famous release is Kalpana Pictures' "Dhanyawad", starring Hansa with Sajjan, Ja- girdar (who directed the picture), Agha and Lalita Pawar. Famous Pictures' own produc- tion "Mohan", starring Hema- vati, Dev Anand and Alaka Ach- rekar is yet another picture await- ing early release. _ Their most ambitious produc- tion "Pyar-ki-Jeet", produced by D. D. Kashyap and directed by 0. P. Dutt is" the next on the pro- gramme of releases. It features among others Suraiya, Manorama, and Rehman. Song-writer Rajendra and ca- meraman Pandurang Naik are busy with an unusual type of do- cumentary, namely, "Bapu-ki- Amar Kahani", a simple narration of the main events in Gandhiji's life. It is a novel experiment in which Gandhiji himself nowhere appears in the picture. Shree Vijay's "Sita Swayam- var", a mythological picture in Hindi and Marathi, starring Dur- ga Khote, Anant Marathe, Sha- kuntala and Balakram and di- rected by A. R. Shaikh is pro- gressing nicely at the Prabhat Studios, Poona. Prabhats own production, directed by Y. Pethkar and yet untitled is a social screen- play starring Madhubala, Ram- singh, Leela Pandey and Pran. The Hindi version of Prabhat's phenomenal success "Sant Tuka- ram" is now complete and awaits release. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD (Bombay) This prominent finn of distri- butors is now busy arranging the release of the Russian pictures Glinka and The Winner through- out India. "Glinka" is a musical extravaganza dealing with the first half of the 19th century dur- ing the reign of the Czar. It is set with old time settings and costumes of that period. "Anyaya", Diamond Pictures' maiden production is now receiv- ing its final touches and will be ready for release by the end of the current month. R. K. FILMS (Bombay) Raj Kapoor, the youngest pro- ducer-director in the industry, also a star with a reputation al- ready made, having completed his maiden picture "Aag" and sold the distribution rights for the va- rious provinces at prices that would make old and experienced and renowned producers envious, is now busy with the production of another picture which has been named "Barsat". Paper work of the picture is already completed and regular shooting will start shortly. The principal actors are the two stars — Nargis and Raj Kapoor — and Suraiya will next be seen in "Pyar-ki-Jeet", coming production Famous Pictures' forth - 57 FILMINDI \ July, 194 Inilu does not understand what Ravindra exactly means by his temper in "Batohi", T. K. Screen Classics' forthcoming release. Premnath. It will also be direct- ed by Raj Kapoor. T K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bombay) Producer-director Kumar Me- iion has completed "Batohi". a social screenplay in Hindi with Sapru. Bharat Bhushan. Indu and Krishna in the leading roles. The picture deals with problems like labour, adult education campaign, prohibition, social and village up- lift. Kesari as the misguided re- volutionary provides comedy to tiie picture. The music has been directed by S. K. PaK Kumar Mcnon is now busy with the paper work of his next picture, a dance-musical, entitled "Niloufer". CHITRALAYA LTD (Bombay) "Apni Clihaya", the maiden production of this concern, writ- ten, produced and directed by >:mtoshi is making rapid progress or- the sets. Headed by Sulochana • Chatterji. Balwant Singh and Radha Kishen, the picture's cast includes Mona. Ramsingh, Tiwari. Xarmadashanker and the well known dancers Mumtaz AM and Cuckoo. Music for the picture is composed by some foremost music directors of the film industry. Mr. L. H. Choridia, producer of "Apni Chhaya". expects to complete the shooting within a few days. TRIUMPH PICTURES. LTD. (Bombay) This distributing concern which was so far interested in the dis- tribution of American serials alone has now extended its acti- vities to the distribution of Indian pictures for different territories. Its executives are now busy nego- tiating the purchase of two first class Hindi social pictures for Bombay Presidency for the time being. AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) "Lai Dupatta" is now the new name of the maiden picture of this new born producing concern instead of the old name "Apna Raj". Producer-director K. B. Lai has completed nearly three-fourths of the shooting and the picture is expected to be ready for release by the end of the current month. It stars Madhubala. Ullhas. Sapru and Kesari and is reported to have good entertainment and romance. Madhok wrote the songs for the picture. Their next picture is named ' Desh Drohi" and Mr. Lai is now busy choosing the cast for the picture* I OKMANYA PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) "Girls' School", the maiden pic- ture of this concern, directed by Amiya Chakrabarty has already been completed at the Bomba;U Talkies' studios, Malad. Well known technicians and artiste! have put in their combined efforlj in this picture. Pradeep, thl screen's most popular poet ha composed the lyrics, J. S. Ca> shayap has written the dialoguB and Anil Biswas and C. Rami thandra are responsible for tb music. A combination of veteran|l and new talents marks the casjl of the picture which include! Geeta Bali, Shashikala, SoharB Sajjan. Mangala. Ram Singh an I Vimla Vashistha. Arrangements are now going ofl for the shooting of their next pic I ture which will be produced bif Gyan Mukerji. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT, LTD (Kolhapur) ""Phool Aur Kante"' their fortll coming social is ready for releasl It features Lalita Pawar. Moha Saigal, Saroj Borkar. Salvi an I Shalini and has been directed bl Achyut Ranade. Another social, "Sajan-kr| Ghar" is also ready for releasj Its cast includes Ranjana an] Jairaj in the leading roles wit] Yasant Thengdi and Kusum Di.j shpande leading the support. TlJ picture has been directed bl Shorry Daulatalvi. SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRC DUCTIONS (Bombay) Producer Sharaf has just conj pleted "Meri Kahani' , the maic i en venture of this concern wiffl the help of well known technic ans, stars and artistes. It is social screenplay starring Surea dra and Munawar Sultana in til leading roles supported by Pratfl ma Devi. Leela Kumari. Sanobal Bhudo Advani. Ramesh Sinhl Sanosh Kumar. Murad Khan arJ Wasker. Vahid Quereshi wroi the dialogue and Wazahat Mira wrote the songs for the pictu« which has been directed and phefl tographed by Keki Mistry. Il Dutta ( Koregaonkari has direcB ed the music. FILMISTAN LTD. (Bombay "Sajan". their latest release I running at the local Novelty an at Delhi and Kanpur and is r imte to~ FAZALBHOY LIMITEI t/fi&tMm fiic&usly in Bombay, namely, Isior, Lamington and Chitra g the last week of June. t PRAKASH (Bombay) e maiden production of this 5rn, "Jalsa" is awaiting re- Pandit Indra and Vajoo k have written the story of picture and Ramesh Gupta Composed the songs. The mu- (score comes from Ram Gan- and Sharad Shukla has di- ll the dances. The picture has directed by Kamlakar. It Gita Bali and Ramesh Au- in the leading roles with Nilkanth Tiwari, others providing Tara, Shyama Raj Adib and the support. SHANTI LOK CHITRA (Bombay) This new producing concern has completed its first production, ' Gopinath", starring Raj Kapoor with Tripti Mitra and Latika. Written, pi by Mahesh its musical zumdar. It story as its and drama, expecting it venture. JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) Their maiden production, 'Vee- na" is expected to be released shortly. Hemavati's dances, Ya- kub's comical antics, good per- formance by Sulochana Chatterji, Veera and Rehman and Anil Bis- was' music, are the pictures' great points. Plans and preparations for their second picture arc fast pro- gressing. BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) Directed by the late Winayak and starring popular artistes like Shanta Apte and Shahu Modak with a supporting cast led by Wi- nayak himself and consisting of Baby Xanda, Salvi, Lata Jaima- la, Samson, and .lanki Dass, "Mandir', their maiden production produced by proprietor B. V. Bhoomraddi is awaiting early re- lease in Bombay. JEEVAN JYOT KALA MANDIR (Bombay) "Dukhiyari" is the name of this Bharat Bhushan feels amused at Kesari's antics in "Batohi", T. K. Screen Classics' forthcoming picture, 61 FILM INDIA Ju!y, 1 8 concern's maiden social widen has an imposing cast of artistes like Surendra, Meena, Trilok Kapoor, Ranjit Kumari, Ramesh Mahta, Majnu and Bhudo Advani. It has been produced and directed by D. K. Ratan and Gyan Dutt is responsible for the musical score. Messrs. Maya Films have secured Ihe world distribution rights of the picture. Their next picture, entitled "Magar Kyun?" is expected to go on the sets shortly. CHITRA PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) This concern's maiden produc- tion "Aaj Aur Kal". a story of Gandhinagar, the city of the fu- ture, is now complete and is await- ing release. Written and directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, "Aaj Aur Kal" presents Naintara and Shyam in the leading roles sup- ported by Nita, Rashid Ahmed and Arif (as John Pardesi) . Music has been directed by Khurshid Anwar. BHAGWATI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) » 1 Messrs. Evershine Pictures have secured the Bombay Presidency distribution rights of three pic- tures of this concern, namely Rewaj, Apala, and Sati Narbada. Of these, "Rewaj", a social pic- ture starring Ishwarlal, Paro, Mu- barak and Jilloobai is expected to be released shortly in Bombay. ' Apala" a historical picture, is mw in the editing room. Paper work for the third picture. "Sati Narbada", a mythological, is now complete and Ishwarlal is busy selecting the cast for it. BASANT PICTURES (Bombay) Their jungle thriller, "Mala the Mighty", distributed by the Ba- sant Film Distributors was re- leased at the local Taj Ts Ikies last month. The company has ac- quired the distribution rights for the Bombay presidency of Kul- dip Pictures' maiden picture "Pa- piha-Re", a musical social star- ring Akhtari, Amarnath, and Asha Posley, and directed by Dawood Chand. PARKER FILMS (Bombay) Written and produced by Prof. Parker, "Basant Panchami" a so- cial picture of Messrs. Parker Films, stars "Khurshid (Jr.)" and Altaf in the leading roles and Mr William H. Wells (left) Chief of Film and Television Section of the UNO. and Mr. Jean Bcnoit Levy, Head of the U.N.O. Film Division— the two men principally responsible for producing the three slanderous films: "Mother", "Child" and "Community". And they don't regret their dirty work! 67 Tripti Mitra looks like eavesdrii ping in Shanti Lok Chitra's msU en social "Gopinath", produ:* and directed by Mahesh Kaujl has a supporting cast of sev< well known artistes like Bh Advani, Trilok Sharma, L< Kumari, Cuckoo, D. Babula! Mirza Musharraf. Songs for picture have been written by heer Kashmiri and the ini comes from Inayat while D. bulal has directed the am Pandit Girish wrote the sere play and dialogue for the ] ture. SHANTI PICTURES (Bombay) "Kuchh Naya", their mai picture, was seen recently a private show by the Home M s1cr, Mr. Morarji Desai. Minis M. D. D. Gilder and other p minent Congress leaders. Home Minister congratulated producers for the novelty of theme and a new angle of trc ment. AT HOME AND ABROAD WISDOM AT LAST Bombay, May 30. The Government of Bombay .1? cancelled its order? directing ,at the doors of the cinema Buses should be kept closed when ry of the National Songs is be- ig played. PEACE BE TO HER SOUL Hollywood, May 29. Dame May Whitty. the inter- ationally known British charac- r actress, died here today, aged 2. She had been in failing health >r several weeks. ALL FOR SHANTA APTE Surat. May 23. A crowd of about 10.000 music nrers, collected in a marriage andal here last night to listen to hanta Apte, a popular film arti- e and songstress, became unruly hen they were informed that the rtiste had refused to sing in an )cn pandal. The disappointed crowd jostled > and fro and damaged the pan- al and the illumination arrange- ments. Stone throwing was also ported before the Police arrived nd resorted to lathi charge to isperse the crowd. A number of ■rsons are reported to have been ijured while about 11 persons ere taken into custody. Armed slice stood guard in the locality iroughout the night. NEW FRENCH INVENTION Paris. May 26. Two Frenchmen have invented lens which, if placed in an or- nary film camera using ordinary gative. will make colour film. French newspapers reporting lis today say that it is hoped at 300 French cinemas will be ing the film by the autumn. The new lens, which is the pro- ict of research by the brothers rmand and Lucien Roux, is limed to be very simple and to ve good natural colours. To the naked eye the film de- •loped from a Roux negative oks like an ordinary black and hite reproduction and it is only rien it is projected on a screen rough another Roux lens that e colour effect is achieved. ROOF MEETS FLOOR Lucknow. May 24. The auditorium of the Mayfair cinema was turned into a virtual bedlam last night when, during the night show, part of the hall's roof came down with a deafening roar. Five persons were seriously in- jured as the dislodged masonry fell down in the darkness raising a cloud of dust and leaving in the roof a gaping hole about 20 feet by 10. A dust storm was raging out- side and the dazed spectators made a rush for the doors as the crash was first heard, believing the building had been struck by lightning. The show was abandoned. The injured are in hospital. EZRA MIR IS ALSO IN IT! New York. May 27. Mr. Ezra Mir, the Indian film producer, now in America, said today that several film producers, both in India and in Britain were interested in making a film of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, and added that he himself might at- tempt the biography on his return to India next autumn. ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS! Bombay, May 28. As reported to the Standing Committee today, by the Munici- pal Commissioner the Commis- sioner of Police and the Commis- sioner of Excise, Bombay, have agreed to issue or renew the li- cences for the storage of chemi- cals and celluloid in residential premises only on the strength of a "No objection Certificate" from the Municipality. In his report providing addi- tional information about the dis- astrous fire which broke out at a residential premises at Thakur- dwar in May 1946. killing five persons and injuring three others, the Commissioner stated that no licences were asked for and issu- ed by the Municipality to the oc- cupants concerned for storage of chemicals, celluloid and acetone which were partly responsible for the outbreak of the fire. The premises, however, had been licensed by the Commission- er of Police and the Commissioner of Excise, for cellulose paint and methylated spirit. As far as the Municipality is concerned, the Commissioner said, the grant of licences for the stor- age of inflammable or dangerous materials in residential building-: is controlled by prescribing cer- tain requirements from the fire risk point of view, in order to mi- nimise risks to human life and property. If the storage is in a purely re- Krishna does not look like appreciating Kesari's joke in "Batohi", T. K. Screen Classics* forthcoming release. 63 FILMINDIA sidential locality, a licence is ge- nerally refused. The precautions taken at present by the Munici- pality, says the Commissioner, are adequate. (It is clearly proved by the latest fire at Chowpatty Cham- bers.— Ed.) . MICKEY ROONEY DIVORCED New York, May 28. Betty Jane Rase Rooney, wife of movie star Mickey Rooney, July, 194 won an uncontested divorce an property settlement of more tha 1,25,000 dollars, after testifyir that pint-sized Rooney told h< to "go back to Alabama with th rest of the hicks". The stormy marriage ende with Mrs. Rooney — who is a foe taller than the actor — bern awarded 100,000 dollars over te years, 25.000 dollars to buy house and 5,000 dollars yearly fcj the support of their two son Rooney guaranteed to pay for th children's education. THAT IS WISE INDEED! Simla, May 31. Cinema exhibitors in the prcj vince have been directed by thj East Punjab Government to sto playing of any kind of Nation- Anthem at the end of the pictur and to show instead the Nation" Flag on the screen for an instan Violation of this order, whic comes into force with immedia effect, is punishable under Rule of the Punjab Cinematogra Rules 1911. AGAIN A JOB FOR NEHRU New York, June 4. "Variety", the American ente tainment trade journal, reporte that the film "India Speaks^ which had been banned for exhib tion in London for 15 years, "h been finally passed by Britain". The picture an 80-minute doc mentary, was made by America producer Walter Futter, who r ccntly returned to the Unite States after a two-and-a-ha months' trip to England. "The Film", states the journa "is now being booked in Britai following issue of a licence by th London County Council". Mr. Futter said the picture wa submitted to the London Count. Council after the Censor refuse to consider it. "The recent withdrawal of Bri tain from India is understood t have been responsible for th London "green light", adds "Va riety". OPERATOR'S FATAL FALL Bombay, June 4. Suresh Kumar Appa, an opera tor in Kismet cinema, Prabha devi, went through a small d Apart From the question of 'quotas' and raw materials, it takes a long time to make a Favre-Leuba watch - because, each watch must be the perfection of true craftsmanship. So we are sorry to keep you waiting, but be patient and one day you can be the proud possessor of a watch by Favre-Leuba FAVRE-LEUBA FAVRE-LEUBA & COMPANY. LIMITED ★ BOMBAY * CALCUTTA 64 ily, 1948 FILM INDIA I the terrace of the building to le roof made of cardboards over le balcony. It appears that one I the cardboards gave way and I slipped down with his head be- I? seriously injured. He died a lort while after his admission to ■ K.K.M. Hospital. A PIONEER PASSES AWAY Paris, June (>. ■M. Louis Lumiere, pioneer in k French cinema industry, died llay in Bandol, Southern Fran- I after having been ill for seve- ) years. IjM. Lumiere, who was 85, heard iParis audience shnek and run I years ago when he showed Im his first film picture of a i in steaming into a country \i fcion. He was born on October 20 >2, the son of a sign painter o was struggling to make a liv- ; out of the then new ai t of itography. le lived to see his newest in- ltion, three-dimensional films, iwn on public screens to audi- :es wearing specially coloured sses but he died before the ^-dimensional ones were evolv- •Vorking always with his bro- r Auguste he was one of the t exponents of films instead of •tes for cameras and in 1899 in- vented a camera to take a circu- lar panorama. DAVID'S SPORTSMANSHIP Bombay, June 6. India's Champion Weight-lifter Moni from South India realised just 24 hours before his departure to London for the Olympics that he had no woollen clothes! David Abraham, well-known in Indian film circles as David, one of the Vice-Presidents of the All- India Weight-lifting Federation, who casually came to see Moni, drove with him in a taxi straight to Weldons and purchased for Moni a woollen suit, a flannel pant, a winter coat, woollen socks and a leather kit-bag. This light- ened David's purse by lis. 400 but that made Moni well-equip- ped for the trip thanks to the ge- nerosity of his official who proved an exception to the general rule and thought of his competitor first. UNHEARD OF EVER BEFORE Hollywood, June 10. Eddie Cantor, the film and ra- dio star, and his wife celebrated their 34th. wedding anniversary yesterday by announcing a dona- tion of o.OOO pound of rice to CARE, the Overseas Relief Agen- cy. This is in line with the come- dian's appeal to give rice for overseas aid. But 34 years of un- divorced wedlock in the life of a movie artiste is something that may well be called phenomenal. ANOTHER SULTANA IN IT Bombay, June 3. Mrs. S. M. Yasmina and Abdul Satar Abdul Gaffur, described as her Secretary, residents of a flat at Garden Road, Colaba, were arrested yesterday by a Vigilance Branch Inspector on the charge (if living on the immoral earnings of yet another alleged actress, Miss Sultana. It was stated that the woman and her Secretary received Rs. 200 from the bogus customer put up by the Police and allowed An- war Sultana to go with him to a City Hotel where he wanted to lake her. Bookings in the hotel being full, they were learnt to have returned to the flat, where the police are learnt to have col- lect edj t.he necessary evidence. HOLLYWOOD HONOURS EDITOR PATEL Hollywood, May — . Mr. Baburao Patel, well known in film circles in Bombay, drop- ped in for tea the other day with his beautiful actress-wife, Sushila Rani, star of "Draupadi", and his equally lovely daughter Sheila. Both the girls have caused much comment by their soft feminine charm and exquisite features. The family have been entertained by many of the film personages. They have also visited most of the studios and met a great many of the stars. • Sushila Rani who, I understand h one of the "first ladies of the Screen" in India, surprised me by- saying that she is a professor of botany and used to be a teacher before she became a screen act- ress. Brains with so much gla- mour is a rare combination. I couldn't help wondering why Sheila too was not in show busi- ness. With her looks and warmth of personality she should be a hit. (From Hollywood Diary by the Illustrated "Weekly's Holly- wood correspondent Nora Laing: I. W. Bombay, 23rd May 1948). 65 PILMINDI A July, 11 BOOKING CLERK IN FOR A YEAR Delhi, June 5. Om Prakash, a booking clerk in a local cinema, who was entrust- ed with a sura of Rs. 4,961 on November 27, 1945, was accused of having misappropriated part of the money after depositing only Rs. 2,725 out of it in a bank. On being tried for the offence he was found guilty and sentenced to a year's rigorous imprisonment by the Special Magistrate, yesterday. Accused pleaded guilty. SABU FOR AN INDIAN FILM Hollywood, June. — Once more there is news that a picture is to be made in India. So often have we been disappointed — in the end film has been "shot" in Hollywood — that I hesitate to say anything definite. I am told by Mr. Victor Stoloff, who is to produce and direct the film, that very certainly "Sabu". as it is to be "called, will also star the actor, Sabu, and it is to be both produc- ed and financed in India. The rest of the cast has not yet been de- cided upon. (From Hollywood Diary of the Illustrated Weekly of India by its Hollwood corres- pondent Nora Laing — I.W. dated 20th Juno "48). BRAVO. STUDENTS! Kanpur. June 8. Half a dozen persons were in- jured, two of them seriously, as the result of a clash this evening be- tween a batch of students and the staff of the local Nigar Talkies. The clash is reported to be a se- quel to an altercation between the gate keeper of the cinema and some students who wanted to en- ter the hall "with concession tic- kets. The gate keeper questioned the students' identity. The situation was brought un- der control when the city Magis- trate accompanied by the Police arrived at the scene. The police arrested the manager of the ci- nema and four other members of the staff for alleged rioting. CHAPLIN'S NEXT Hollywood, June 19. Charles Chaplin i> planning to make two pictures after his "Monsieur Verdoux" in which he plays the role of an unemployed (6 bank clerk who turns murderer. Both the new films will be roman- tic comedies but the plots have not yet been revealed. He said that they would have no political or social significance. Chaplin will direct both films and act in one. PAID WITH LIFE TO SEE SHOOTING Jamnagar, June 8. A crowd of about 75 men drop- ped into the waters of a lake from the roof of a boat shed which crashed under their weight. They were watching the outdoor shoot- ing of a Gujarati picture. Two dead bodies were found next day on the shores of the lake while three persons are stiil missing and feared to have been drowned. Twenty others who were injured were removed to hospital. DURGA KHOTE IN ENGLAND London, June, 18. Durga Khote, star of 32 Indian films, now on her first trip to Bri- tain told a news agency that she In Greater Bombay Pictures' maiden production, "Shakti". Su- raiya will be seen in the fullest bloom of her youthful charms. was thinking of making her 3, picture in England. "I would h to make a film in British stud with their super technical resou es", she said, ''but nothing d» nite has been arranged yet." LADIES IN RIOTOUS MOOD Bombay, June 181 A crowd of women spectat \<. ho collected to see the zem{ show of a Hindi picture runn in a local theatre went into ft ous demonstration of their disa pointment and annoyance wl tuld that the zenana show « cancelled for some reasons not be revealed. They have appea to have broken some wind glasses and pieces of furniture side the theatre. NEW INDO-BRITISH VENTUII London, June la The life story of Mahatl Gandhi is to be brought to J Indian screen by a new coivpai East-West Film Production, n registered. With joint Indo-Brilf capital, the directorate inclul Lord Sinha and the British ff men, John Sutre and F. W. BI er. The company plans studios! India. The story of Mumtaz ^ji Lai is also understood to J included in the schedule of Indf subjects for filming. "UNSUSPECTED" UNDER SUSPICION Dacca. June The Government of Bihar h directed that the film "Lnsusp ed" produced by Messrs. Wa Brothers, shall be deemed to an uncertified film in the whol the Province of Bihar. A month previous to this same film was banned as unfit exhibition in the province Madras by the Government that Province. MR BABURAO PATEL New York. June 2 Editor Baburao Patel was rated upon on the 23rd ins for duodenal ulcer at the R velt Hospital, New York, by White. The operation was cessful and Mr. Patel's condi is excellent. He is progressing tisfactorily. OQ5 (This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. 5/- Letters should be signed and marked " Hoes And Echoes". Photographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor. ) BOUQUET FOR JUDAS! "I concur in toto with all the lints raised in the column "Bom- |y Calling" under the sub-head- k -Thou Shalt Not Walk Out' kd 'Xo National Anthem' in ,ur June issue and I wish to ex- Ws my great appreciation to writer for having given ex- sssion to his views which en- ly coincide with mine." )MBAY. P. V. X. Swamy. MISERLY LIBRARIES regret very much to write to u a few lines of my bitter dis- pointment in not seeing a copy "filmindia" provided in our lie reading room and library, our public reading room the thorities are providing to the lie many monthly magazines t they are not providing a copy "filmindia" even though many nplain. They provide some ty magazines which according my opinion should be burnt in public square. If a copy of mindia'' is provided in a pub- free reading room many people benefited by that in many ys (for example) by your nthly reviews of pictures they know which picture is bad i which picture is good and th seeing! I hope at least from it month the authorities will vide a copy of "filmindia" ry month, and stop other dirty gazines." LLARY. G. Ramachandra Rao FILM ABOUT FILMS I do not know whether it has ack anyone to produce a docu- ntary film on Motion Pictures India— its birth and growth. might begin the documentary 1 the efforts of the pioneer of ian Film Industry, Dada tike, with his "Hyrischandra", rapid growth from silent pic- es to talkies, the silver jubilee brations and so on. Besides, ors and Actresses, Producers ectors, Film journalists and >ortant executives of film stu- i, dead and alive, should pass through the film. A few outstand- ing shots from old pictures, a song of Saigal, Pankaj Mullick, Kannan, Sushila Rani, etc., a dance sequence from Udai Shan- kar's "Kalpana", a short length of Wadia's stunts, all these will go to make the film if produced with imagination and skill, a first class entertainer besides being a documentary at the same time." MADRAS. P. Raghunathan. PROGRESSING BACKWARDS "Last night I happened to see the ''Flying Man", a Roshan Pic- ture, and I find this is only a ver- batim version of the silent pic- ture, the "Three Musketeers", produced by the late Douglas Fairbanks. Sr. about a quarter century ago. Our plagiarist has cunningly introduced a new fea- ture in this play, the flying stunt, in order merely to give a new title to this Hindi version. "What a poor imitation of a great story! Though I saw the "Three Musketeers" some 20 years ago when I was too young to ap- preciate it, I can still recollect the thrilling feats performed by Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. as the hero, the intriguing plots and counterplots employed by the wily minister (Richelieu) and the hero to frustrate each other, the secret love scenes between the Queen of France and the Duke of Bucking- ham, the pomp and splendour of the French Court etc., etc. How beautifully the story was portray- ed in that silent picture, and how skillfully the Three Musketeers and the hero handled their swords against an army of musketeers! "But in this Hindi version our three musketeering leaders of the Azad Fouj look and act like buf- foons, and their sword-play is also clumsy and the King looks like a Serang of the Irrawady steamboat, often uttering 'okey' and 'okey'; and the Mahamantri, instead of posing as a great scheming statesman as Richelieu, appears like a bumpkin simply blinking and staring here and there; and the whole show is ridi- culous. In comparison with that "Three Musketeers" this "Flying Man" tamasha looks like child- ren's play. Oh, what a pity this Roshan picture producer could not bring out even a quarter of the standard reached by Hollywood a quarter century aeo!" RANGOON. ' H. A. Rahman. Nigar and Karan Diwan are cast as principal players Khiloune", Ranjit's forthcoming social. 67 VEERENDRfl CHITRfl mflNOHflR^HRTUIRI J ML WAN! /I Pi I !? AM For Particulars :~ VIRENDRA CHITRA: JYOTI STUDIO, KENNEDY BRIDGE, BOMBAY 7. • >Q\V BEADY FPU KKIJBASI .A. G-ttJ^NJD MUSICAL EXTRATAGANZA jyCTPCAI\A$H CHITRA'S 1948«S GREAT CREATION Starring : GEETA BALI RAMESH AURORA TARA * SHYAMA NILKANTH TIWARI PRANSUKH E0DIP0L0 HASMUKH * LAL DUBE RAJ ADIB * OMPRAKASH SHARMA BRAHMABHATT TRIBHUVAN SINHA & A Host of other stars * ★ * ★ * STORY .• Pt. INDRA & VAJU KOTAK * * ★ SONGS .• RAMESH GUPTA + + * DANCES : SHARAD SHUKUI * * * MUSIC : RAM GANGULI * * ★ DIRECTION : KAMLAKAR ★ * * ★ * A D A N C EC U M-M USICAL THAT WILL INTRODUCE NEW TRENDS SHORTLY TO BE RELEASED AT BOMBAY For territorial Rights apply: JYOTPRAKASH CHITRA ^r,%w:r^\\- 1948 'Q' HERE! ill of us must have a bitter jrience in purchasing tickets ire the commencement of the Jr. Everyone in the crowd tries >urchase his ticket first. The Be have been caught red-hand- ftceepting bribes from the Was and allowing them to base as many tickets as they . Thus they get a chance to their purchased tickets to e who cannot obtain tickets i the 'window' due to the rush. If the matter is rted to the management of the teahouse, they either pay lit- pttcntion towards it or plead innocence. Evidently the le chain of the management is upted. No doubt advance □ng saves time and trouble for this also we have to grease ipahn of the man concerned I mean to say is that the kmarket is in full swing at cinema-. Ve can hound this nuisance when we instil the necessity 'landing in queue in the mind \a ignorant masses. The queue fem is very essential and we v that Government can also lot in training up the cine- >ers for having this quality lined in them. Thev can ask the cinema owners to exhibit slides requesting their patrons to stand patiently in a line while purchas- ing their tickets. "Will our National Govern- ment look into t His matter and ex- tend their helping hand to drive away this anti-national element?" KASGANJ. B. Chakraverty. SAR KA "DARD" ""Recently I went to see Kar- dar Productions' "Dard". I really wonder very much why these so- called directors and producers do not quit the field before it is too late. Pictures like "Dard" instead of being a source of entertainment only give rise to 'dard' (ache) in one's head." NEW DELHI. Puran Chandra. CINEMAS OR MURDER CHAMBERS? "On 23rd night the roof of ".May fair" (an English picture house I collapsed due to a dust- storm causing serious injury to five persons, who are progressing in the hospital. "It was surprising that the ci- nema owners were allowed to screen the shows the next day with the damaged roof, which was only patched up. "On investigation it was found at Bhushan is giving some happy news which delights Begum Para Nazira in Oriental Pictures' "Sohag Raaf' released through Varma Films. FILMIND J A July, lfc that the fall was entirely due to defective structure. Certain tech- nical points condemning the ma- sonary work were also brought to light. In such big cities where plans of the buildings are said to be approved by the Municipal Boards one sees such unhappy results. What to say of smaller places? "I may also add that there are some other cinema houses in this city having faulty structures, and are a source of danger to the ci- nema going public. The roof of one cinema house actually trem- bles when all the fans are work- ing during the shows. "Who is to be brought to book ■ — house owner or the Govern- ment, who sanction the plan? whoever, it might be, I request you kindly to impress upon the cinema-house owners and the Government through your valued editorial the importance of the matter." LUCKNOW. K. P. Srivastava. BRICKBAT FOR BADAMI ASHOK AND SHANTA APTE "Just imagine Ashok Kumar as Abhimanyu and Shanta Apte as Uttara. Can you tolerate such in- sults to the "Mahabharata" and the "Pandavas"? "Producers and directors have nu right to show their whims lki this. Have they?" GAUHATI. Niren BoroM KARDAR AND KALIJ' "The other day I went to I Kardar Productions "Natak'' riM ning at the 'Kumar Talkies' If Delhi, featuring Suraiya and » favourite hero 'Amar'. "What a hero he has selectL having neither good features :n a good cut. Mr. Kardar, who of gave us beautiful pictures ill 'Sharda', 'Shahjehan', and ■ latest but one 'Dard' was neB expected in choosing such a 1(1 pair for his 'Natak'. "And what a college life he ill depicted-, with only one typi|j Hosteller having neither a friefl nor any chum. I too had beerJI college student for full five yea| but neither I saw such an idjl solitary student nor this typeB a washer woman. College studeH are mostly from rich families aw keep plenty of clothes. Never d|| a need arise to go to the washM man emphasising the immediji need for the clothes. "Why don't you call on a cm ference of all such speedily ij teriorating directors, and sincerH advise them either to leave m very profession or improve fl standard, hence relieving us frfl Jy, 1948 FILMINDI A ring anaemic heroes and idiotic ily looking heroines? f'lt is only through "filmindia" [at such people can be cured of leir idiotic ideas, that are given J; us through the movies." HAZIABAD. A*. G. Mathur. SK THE "GENIUS" HIMSELF! ["In "Sindoor" Shamim is seen ifing out of Sahu's house with lr only child running a danger- is temperature in the face of the Inevitable toofan and barish". I Ls pained and shocked to see a rector of Kishore Sahu's calibre Hulging in such unreal melo- | amatic scenes. Do you think ■at any mother would take out lr sick child under such condi- Ins and invite death on her |by? That scene was definitely lainst nature. And why then p a genius like Kishore do bt?" M. Vasudevan Xair. ; JTHIYARA. 1 MEMO TO GEMINI VASAN i"I hope, you remember, some lars back when there was foot- le control for raw films, in jus- ■cation for a greater footage for iuth Indian films, Mr. V'asan, |? Gemini boss was reported to Ive drawn a triangle with its lex down to represent whole of Idia and the bottom portion of bt triangle (a smaller triangle t by cutting the original one rizontally somewhere in its ddlel to represent South India d to have argued that South dian films were having a mar- t only within the smaller tri- gle and the entertainment re- irenients of that area demanded greater footage. 'But I don't know why his est 2 million rupee production landralekha' for which, it is noured, he is contemplating the bbing in several languages in ding Knglish, is nearly 19.00') t. Is he going to first cut th<" necessary portion which is •re than . one-third of its length 'ore dubbing or is he going to )loit the dubbed versions also y in the area of the smaller angle where even the Tamil •sion, in spite of some good set- gs is getting only a luke-warm eption on account of its weak story and wrong casting? His "Hi- malayan" publicity is, I think taken as just 'Much ado about Nothing", by the people here." MADRAS. A. Vedamurthi. NO HOPE? "I have been regularly going through the reviews of Indian films published every month in your esteemed journal. Of late there has been a deterioration in our film production. Any money spent on these films is nothing but a waste not only of hard- earned money but a waste of our precious time, energy and every- thing. The main reason for this state of affairs is the masses of the people have a liking for such films. 'Mass appeal' seems to be the basis of our present films. If our producers can dig more money by giving us mere 'box office' hits without caring for realism, why should they worry what film cri- tics say about their pictures? So long as our standard of education is not raised, there is no prospect of anv improvement on the film front"'. BOMBAY. /\". Y. Rao ON ENTERTAINMENT TAX "Months have passed after In- dia had attained her independ- ence. But the Entertainment Tax is still being collected from the Public at the rate of one anna in every four annas. This is rather disproportionate. Though this falls heavily on the peoples' means in all corners of the Bom- bay Presidency, it does not draw the attention of either the Pro- vincial or Central Government. Seme politicians shower praises on the Government Representa- tive, the Finance Minister, for his jdans in whipping out the deficit in his budget by taxing beneficial entertainment. They hardly rea- lise how he taxes the poor man's cheap entertainment by which he relaxes himself from hard work in his humble walk of life. The la- bourer for instance is hardly hit all the more because he needs such entertainment like the Cine- ma to refresh himself from his dull and monotonous existence. Cinemas, apart from giving enter- tainment, are also a fruitful sour- ce of education to the poor man. Now running at NOVELTY and REGAL, DELHI 71 FILMINDI A July, 19 The imposition of taxes on bene- ficial entertainment, therefore, is nothing but gambling with the people. One can understand the imposition of taxes on liquors, tobacco and other undesirable ar- ticles. Taking part in useful en- tertainment is not a vice and hence the withdrawal or at least a substantial reduction of the tax on entertainment like Cinema is absolutely necessary in the best interests of the people. "One of the ways in which Government may tackle this pro- blem is to fix standard rates for different classes of entertainment according to the capital outlay on the Public entertainment houses and Theatres and to levy a fair percentage as tax from the daily, monthly or annua! income. The Government may very well review these standard rates from time to time for modification if necessary according to the pre- vailing circumstances." POONA 2. A. Ki-ishnamoorty. WHY NOT EDUCATIONAL FILMS? "I read with great interest the article entitled "Why Blame Edison" in 'Woes & Echoes' in your June '48 issue. I sincerely agree with the views expressed by the writer. Recruit Baldev R Bajaj of 365-E, Karol Bagh Quarters, Delhi, is 20 years old, has talent for acting and has won a prize for stage act- ing in local amateur dramatics. "I also have left going to cine- ma of whatsoever type since last six years, and have determined not to visit cinemas in the rest of my life as no benefits are gained. "Students are grown up now, but what about children of tender age? One will be amazed to find a child of five or six years sing- ing love songs. The child can easily remember these songs while lie can't remember his school le sons. Our present days cinem teach nothing but pick-pocket in looting, love songs, quarreling ar ways of abduction. "Cannot the Indian film prod cos produce Educational filn that build our nation? Cannot th show some athletic films whk will build the bodies of oi youngsters?" BOMBAY. C. D. Mercha Mudicat Qitb FROM NEW FILMS MELA SAJAN KAJAL SHAHNAZ MULAQAT TOOTE TARE SOHAG RAAT SHRAVAN KUMAR Available on 'HIS MASTER'S VOICE The Gramophone Company Ltd OUM DUM BOMBAY MADRAS : DELHI. S MA SHU'S V Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage, off Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published by him for " filmindia " Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Bombay. TERRITORIAL RIGHTS APPLY TO:— RAJSHRI PICTURES LTD., SHANTI SAOAN, FRENCH BRIDGE, BOMBAY 7. (injustice) {Pnodueed & Qiitctcd fey: J. S. CASSHYAP NOTE : We wish to make it perfectly clear that the picture "ANYAYA" is being made out of old Bombay Talkies' Pictures. Mme Devika Rani is not at all working again on the sets but we have made it possible to pre- pare a picture out of old B. T. pictures in which she featured. BOXOFFICE For Territorial rights please Contact : — SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD, BOMBAY 4. HfUD.No tJ v5b 1/ lmindia AUGUST I9H8 HDR$.2/- FOREIGN Sh. m LIBRARY THE MUSEUM Of MODERN ART] Received: U.K. FILMS. 211. FAMOUS CINE LABORATORIES c STUDIOS maims so*o MAHALAXi f Coming Shortly at Your Favourite Theatre. J. S. CASSHYAP Com,: BOXOFFICE (INJUSTICE) For Territorial rights please Contact : — NOTE: We wish to make perfectly clear that the pictur "ANYAYA" is being made out of old Bombay Talkies' PicturesJ Mme. Devika Rani is not at working again on the sets butl we have made it possible to pre- pare a picture out of old B. T.l pictures in which she featured.! I- hone: 43 3)ianumd^Pictiwe3 Ltd* SEKSARIA BUILDING, SANDHURST ROAD, BOMBAY 4. IEuUIhIIaSSHS mm BHusuflN INDU KRISHNA BE CNRPRL KEJPRI «*< SPPRU . fett (Wayfafo') it J&Viectedl Llj KUMAR MENON RAMLAL, SHIVRAJ, VINOD KUMAR, RAVINDRA, Songs :- J. Rharal Vyas. Pt. Ratau Piya. fcarati Devi. Vriswamitra A < I i 1 . For Territorial Rights :- T K. SCREEN CLASSICS L mi Studios, Amboli Road, Andheri, Bombay. OMPRAKASH SHARMA, RATAN PIYA, RAM NARAIN, ETC., Music:- Dances:- Camera :- I£. I?al. Ra^haTana Miuiiain, World rights controlled by :• MESSRS. SAINIKS FILM DISTRIBUTORS J o d h p u r . THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR GENUINE "JIIRRdPHOl'lf" SOUND EQUIPMENT A SYMBOL OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT QUALITY SOUND SYSTEM FOR EVERY THEATRE NOW available ex stock for Theatres from 500 to 5000 seats at specially reduced prices. INTERNATIONAL TALKIE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Phone: 2 08 9 2. NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK 5. N. Y. Telegram: "SOUNDHEAD" MADRAS 18, Mount Road MADRAS 2. DELHI Chandni Chowk. DELHI. LONDON 21, Wormwood Street. LONDON E. C. 2. SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month is : INLAND FOREIGN: Rs. 24/. Shillings 507- Subscriptlon Is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRI ETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD SS, SIR PHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY. Telephone . 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. XIV. AUGUST 1948 No. 8. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page Inside Rs. Half Page Inside Rs. s Page inside Rs. * Page Inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 1st Cover Rs. 400 210 120 ISO 500 600 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. ■0 fltomtie -find -@ U/atniny Let Bhavnani And Badami Remember The Country— And FILMINDIA-Is Watching Them ! As we go to press, we are reliably informed that r all. Mohan Bhavnani and Sarvottam Badami have appointed Deputy Controllers of the Film Division he Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in rge of Documentaries and Newsreels, respectively, views about such appointments should by now be -known to the Government as well as to these two tlemen concerned. Our last month's editorial stated arguments against these appointments categorically clearly. We understand that serious note was taken of thai orial in high places and at one moment it appeared as a result of what we had written the Government to entirely reconsider not only the wisdom of male- thesc appointments but the whole plan of the Film ision. Later, however. Governmental prestige stood he wav and the appointments were made. But — and is where FILMINDIA criticism scored — the appoint- its were made for a temporary probation period of year lor is it only six months?) after which they lid be confirmed only IF the record of the incumbents ood enouph for that. Which just shows that even the /ernment has not full faith in these selections. And so Bhavnani and Badami are on trial their firmation depends upon the results that they can show ing their probationary period. The Government will vatching them. More than that, the country, the film stry— and FILMINDIA- will be watching them and work. As we said last month, we have no prejudice again>t two personal I v. We regard them as unsuitable for important appointments. Still, now that the ap- tments have been made, we wish them well. Let , by the quality of the work that they produce, Be- sot only the confirmation of their jobs but also the dwill and the congratulations of the people who. all. are their real paymasters, as it is out of the that we pay that they will get the enormous unts to spend on documentaries and newsreels. Let , by their work, prove that we were wrong in our icism of their appointments. And we will be only too to acknowledge we were wrong. But let them remember we w ill be watching them. VI e never bothered to review or even see the documentaries and newsreels produced during the previous regime, for we knew that mostly it was all imperialist propaganda. But now we will be carefully scrutinising even- news- reel made by Badami. every documentary turned out by Bhavnani. And we shall judge each reel by one and one -tandard alone. Does it rellect the life of the people and serve the interests of the people? Does it tell the truth about our country? Does it help our people to secure a better life? Good luck to you. Bha\nani and Badami. We'll be seeing you soon on the screen! That is a promise — and a n aming! 7tom Macaulatj "To Mat ion 'Pix F\erv educationist and sociologist in India is agreed about the irreparable damage done to our country by the clerk-producing educational policy which was ini- tiated by Lord Macaulay and pursued relentlessly by his successors. Basicallv and fundamentally, our schools and colleges and universities have been engaged in pro- ducing not good and upright citizens but clerks — servile, spineless clerks. One expected that, under a national Government, all that will change and that, after a cen- tury and a half, we Indians will at last be able to formu- late our educational policy and programme, in accor- dance with our ideas, uninfluenced by foreigners. But it appears that once again the Trojan Horse of the foreigners is being allowed access to our vital and stra- tegic front — the education front! The Government of India's Fducation Ministry, we were glad to learn, has at last realised the importance of visual education in which naturally films play the most vital part. It is something to enthuse over that after ten years of our crying ourselves hoarse on this subject, after one or two years of some provincial governments taking up this matter, the great Government of India too has awakened to realise the importance of educational films and other aids to visual education. And so the first meet- CHEVROLET Here is the 1948 Chevrolet — the newest, smartest, finest Chevrolet ever. You'll be wise to choose a Chevrolet this year for the best value and the fullest motoring enjoyment. You'll find that Chevrolet alone gives you Big Car Quality at the Lowest Cost, and that means Big Car Beauty, Big Car Comfort, Big Car Performance and Dependability at the lowest possible cost for operation and upkeep. CHEVROLET "gjfe* IS FIRST >. * J ax cr other taxes when due) t-hevrolet Ks. SEE YOUR LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS INDIA LTD DEALER • Serving the country's transport needs /or over twenty years from our factory in Bombay Liust, 1948 F I L M I N D I A fetavyug Chitrapat'§ musical social "Phool aur Kante" Lb a Pawar and Salvi have a rather anxious niument de- manding serious thinking. ■ of the V isual Education Committee met recently in m Delhi, under the chairmanship of Doctor Tara I id. the veteran historian and scholar, who is the Edu- kl.nal Adviser and Secretary to the Government of ■la's Ministry of Education. The Committee, we un- btand, was composed of educationists from all over Ha and three "film experts". i J Now we have great respect for Doctor Tara Chand ■si scholar and historian and as a man of great culture, ■we are afraid he knows next to nothing about films. Hwould like to know how many films he has seen dur- ii the last ten years — and how many educational films! Wdoubt if he has seen any. It is apparent, therefore. M he land most other educationists on his committee) *nal and filmic qualifications of Miss Dix are un- krvn and need to be investigated. J 2) The great Mr. (or, rather, Herr) Paul Zils, who dieted those three libellous films and a couple of other documentaries like the siliy little "Know Thy Neighbour" that some of our readers may have had the misfortune of seeing on the screen. 3) One Mr. Narsu, about whom we know nothing except that he is a dealer in photographic goods in Ban- galore. So we have two foreigners, both with an unsavoury, anti-Indian record, and one photographic goods dealer, acting as film experts on this all-important educational committee. No wonder that the very first decisions of the Com- mittee bear the foreign stamp. They include: The decision that "to begin with films depict- ing living conditions of children in other countries should be produced", and That "foreign films could at present meet the re- quirements of technical institutions and also of secon- dary education". We are surprised that a patriot like Maulana Azad should allow foreigners of dubious calibre a foothold in his all-important educational set-up. We are making further enquiries in this connection and may pursue this subject next month. We cannot allow Macaulays in new garb to corrupt and poison our national education. Two belles — Madhuhala and Hanjit Kumari aecm to he out for some mischief in "Lai Dupatta", Akash Chitra's maid- en picture. 5 fft tk ou cam lose on a good Cinema these days . 1 provided. If you have the right building, in the right part of the city, and the right film distribution tie-up, you are bound to get the audiences, the box office, the rupees your sound and projection system1 1$ good. That's where we can help. From a small local Cinema to a 2,000-seater, in static or portable equipment, we can give up-to-the-minute advice and a comprehensive after-sales service. When in Bombay, you are most welcome to visit our new Showrooms" and Demonstration Theatre, and see equipment which has proved its proficiency and profit-making qualities to many exhibitors. 11 i \ 11 Ml I I ***** Forbes Building, Home Street, Bombay. Calcutta -Society Cinema, 2 Corporation Place, Madras- Khaleel Mansions, 35, Mount Road. OJK 6S05 "It This section is the monopoly of "J U DAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. i'IE DIE IS CAST! Hell-bent and incorrigible in their over-zealous but Jtnentably misguided and abortive drive for improving jlblic morals (sic) and in keeping with their policy of ■ring two hoots for public opinion, our "popular" Gov- jBiment of Bombay has at last carried out its threat of flohibiting smoking in all the local cinemas and thus Sded one more unpopular and undemocratic ordinance 'Bf their discredit. 1OS0 the 'smoke? about smoking in cinemas has justified fle proven old adage that "there is no smoke without He" and, thanks to our ultrapuritanical Minister-, tbere ■11 now be neither smoke nor fire in the auditorium. ■At this rate one shouldn't be surprised one of these lys to find the authorities prohibiting the practice of Ijj male and female spectators sitting together because I its "unhealthy " elfect on the younger generation and K danger it constitutes to innocent young maidens from Biools and colleges! As a matter of fact, the die was already cast in Bimedabad where the police arrested 50 persons for al- ILed contravention of the order prohibiting smoking in Kema houses. On being produced before the City Ma- Ifstrate each one of these fifty smokers was fined three ■pees and given the warning of a "heavier sentence if le offence was repeated . Granting that the order against smoking in cinemas Itued under Sections 219 and 269 of the "Kules for | beping of Places of Public Amusement" of the City of | hmbay (1911) is characteristic of so many other un- Icessary and unjustifiable attempts of the Congress bu- laucracy constituting a flagrant misuse of power and Hcroachment on our legitimate civil liberties and rights ■ citizens of free India, the fact that the authorities have ported to the same in spite of the strong protest made I d the warning given by a large section of the Press bl- ading "filmindia", could only be said to emphasize ieir utter heedlessness and obduracy. It thus becomes paradoxical but true that while the Ithorities concerned refuse even to touch with a pair of Ings the many urgent problems of health, housing, sani- Ition and the like confronting them, they can afford to |;vote their mind and energies to such ridiculous orders asking theatre-owners to close their doors during the aying of the national song and now prohibiting smok- g in cinemas. It remains to be seen how far and with what strict- hss this ban on smoking is actually enforced in all the jnemas of Bombay and elsewhere and whether the ma- Irity of smokers among the filmgoers will not prefer to ialk out of a boring show (if not stop visiting theatres altogether ) rather than continue being deprived of their favourite pastime for two and half hours. But, knowing the ways of the present Ministers as we do, not many will be surprised if the ban on smoking in cinemas is lifted before long as in the case of the advice for closing doors of theatres which was later with- drawn when the folly was brought home and the whole farce was exposed threadbare. Meanwhile it would be amusing to watch how the door-keepers or the theatre managements, for that mat- ter, manage to enforce this order and succeed in bring- ing the culprits to book without sufficient help from the police! G ARSON'S •ERRIINTKRVIEW AND AFTER! The All-India Radio lor whatever you may call it) once again proved and proclaimed their remarkable con- sistency in the matter of misfires two hours before the midnight of June 15. 1948 when Hamid Sayani. their local playwright, ""air-interviewed" Greer Garson. the Mi, ler a comparatively long absence Husn Banii returns to the screen in "Pardesi Maheman", a Ranjit social schedu- led for early release. 7 Would you choose Thi 0 LD The NEW ? WHY BUY SECOND-HAND EQUIPMENT WHEN YOU CAN CET BRAND NEW LATEST <+5™Z?™^\ SOUND EQUIPMENTS FOUR STAR WITH NEWEST FEATURES AT A P&ICE YOU CAN AFFORD? For South India: EVERGREEN ( BANGALORE) LTD., 2, Seshadri Road, BANGALORE. Telephone : 2608 Telegrams : EVERGREEN ' EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 18/146 Papaiah Street, Gandhi- nagar, B E Z W A D A. Tele. Add: " EVERGREEN" EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 154, Kingsway, SECUNDERABAD. Deccan. Tele. Add : PICTORIAL For North India: EVERGREEN PICTH Chandni Chowk, I DELHI. Tel. Add: "DESAICOY" For Bengal, Bihar, OriM Assam & Bui ma : Jj EVERGREEN PICTURES CORW II, ESPLANADE EAST, CAfl Telephone : 6158 I Telegrams: "CINEFILljfl For Indian States EVERGREEN P I CTl No. I, South Tukogan) I INDORE. Tele. " EVERGREEN EVERGREEN PICTURES 72/6 95,2 SAKLAT HOUSE, 15, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, J 20,19 BOMBAY. "pict! ugust, 1948 Ihilywood star, by means of a novel trans-world tele- Hone call which was later relayed for the "benefit" of HR listeners. ■ Curious like so many other listeners who had read If: publicity 'dope' dished out by history-smelling local kwspapermen, I too switched on my radio at the odd Bur with unusual punctuality to be a ear-witness to this 11 -too-specially, elaborately and expensively arranged ■ -interview — the first (and, let's pray, the last) of its ■ id — and what came dashing against my ears not only limped all the thrill and enthusiasm I had mustered up, Ut actually occasioned a splitting headache, a pain in H' neck and, last but not the least, a million thanks to ■ ; Almighty for not making the damage everlasting in M- form of permanent deafness. ■•In spite of the best of efforts to "take it" and making Ire that my radio was quite in order, what Carson and tjyani talked was not only crude and hoarse and atroci- Mp\y inaudible and undistinguishable in the extreme, Ut (as could be verified later), even the content of the ■erview and the nature of questions put to the famous lir, though all previously cooked-up were loo poor and lliiateurish to provide a saving grace to this inexcusable jingle of the AIR authorities in Bombay. An evening columnist put it quite aptly when he ( led it an unearthly how l which even Johnny Weiss- fnller would have been unhappy about! So the whole big stunt went the way of so many ast misfires in the AIR annals and while it afforded ■Tie cheap publicity to Miss Carson who may have rea- "Baiohi", T. K. Screen Classi Cfl' maiden production, Beena Paul has an important assignment. FILMINDI A Making Iter debut in Virendra Pictures' maiden produc- tion, "Jagruti", is Mohana, with sparkling eyes and an alluring smile. son to be sadder but wiser about it in future, Heaven alone knows how many packets of Aspro must have been consumed directly as a result of this "historic" err-inter- view of the All-India Hadio. \\ bile no one objects to healthy enterprise and pro- gressive innovations and experiments within our reach and resources, it may be pointed out to the AIR authori- ties that they need not be so hopeless about the mental age of their listeners most of whom, I dare say, have grown used to calling the bluff even though they may appear to "take it" as a rule. Let the Carson stunt be a pointer to the AIR to all-lain from resorting to such experiments which are calculated to belittle rather than enhance our prestige abroad where a set of mischief-makers are always on the lookout for fresh material to make us a laughing stock of the West and often succeed in their nefarious pursuits in spite of our highly-paid ambassadors who are suppo- sed to be on the alert about tendentious anti-Indian pro- paganda. STOP THIS WANTON DESTRUCTION In his report to the Bombay Municipal Corporation on the storage of chemicals and celluloid, the Municipal Commissioner has stated that the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner of Excise, have agreed to issue or renew the licences for the storage of chemicals and cel- luloid in residential premises only on the strength of a "No Objection" certificate from the Municipality. While this is a bit reassuring against the danger of film fires such as we frequently have in Bombay, I still FILMINDIA want to know what action has the Municipality or the Police already taken against those who stored celluloid in residential premises without a licence, or in excess of the quantity permitted by the licence if they had one. The Commissioner clearly says that if the storage is in a purely residential locality, the licence is generally refused, and that the precautions taken at present by the Municipality are adequate. He may be right in what he says, inasmuch as licences may not be issued by the Mu- nicipality for storing celluloid in purely residential loca- lities. But is he sure that no celluloid is being stored in purely residential localities and premises? Has the Municipality ever made a search of the so many offices of film distributors situated in the thick midst of congested localities populated by thousands of people? If the Municipality believes those distributors to be so honest as not to store films without a licence, how can one account for the frequent fires breaking out in such localities whose origin is traced to film combus- tion? There is no doubt, something is rotten somewhere in the state of Denmark. It is not enough that the Mu- nicipality feels satisfied about the fact that it issues licences only after making full enquiries. It has also got to see to it that un-licenced film stock is not stored any- where in residential premises and localities. With the meagre staff of inspectors that the Munici- pality employs, I am not prepared to accept that a pro- August, 1 per inspection is ever being made in the matter, know how the Municipal inspecting staff is doing its all round. We have never heard of any inspector ing any one of the stinking stables that are know) the name of cinema theatres and compelling the pro] tor to maintain even the minimum cleanliness and h nic conditions demanded of him by law. We have n known of a Municipal inspector visiting any of the tiest, meanest, dingiest and disease breeding hotels, taurants and tea shops which stink worse than gut are darker than dens and filthier than public dust How could one expect, therefore, Municipal inspec to carry out surprise raids to find out if celluloi stored in places where it should not be stored? The Municipality has certain responsibilities to city and its residents. The Khaddar clad city fai would do well to realise in good time that the can no longer afford to indulge in the luxury of fires costing precious lives and resulting in enormous mage to property, besides rendering hundreds of ho people houseless at a time when housing is so scarce prohibitive for the city's half a million souls. Freq raids on suspected premises are likely to result in astounding discoveries. IN SEARCH OF SUCKERS ! Despite a section of incorrigible optimists within and outside our film industry who persist in ing us that another boom period is on its way to usher 1 c eres compact & STUDIOS/ ^ The new RCA Wire Recorder is simple to operate. Just plug in the recording cartridge, turn on the power, and make your recording. There are no tedious preparations: no wire-threading is required. Accurate, life-like recordings can be made by anyone. The recorder does not require critical adjustment nor a high degree ol operating skill. You can immediately play it back too — and as often as you please. The "dual wire" arrangement eliminates cumbersome rewinding. The RCA wire recorder is ideally suited to stars and studios for immediate play back of rehearsals. A complete package including Recorder, Microphone, and desk stand with half-hour cartridge Rs. 1,550/- only. Call on the nearest RCA office for demonstration. pi j i g a Previous programme is automatically | erased (if no longer required) as new programme is recorded. i ; Distributed Exclusively by PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTD, (Affiliated with RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA! 1 MAIN OFFICES: 9. MARINE LINES, BOMBAY. Sronchet : 334, Sandhurst Bridge, Bombay. • 72, Queensway. New Delhi. 1/18. Mount Road, Madras. • 10. Old Court House Street. Calcutta. lfsy 10 Iigust, 1948 FILMINDIA film fold, the fact remains that dearth of sufficient nee continues to be a major stumbling block in the i | of its stabilization and progress. I That the problem of finance is uppermost in haunt- the movie moguls as much as the man about trade is " e to it, goes without saying. That the new personnel :ntly (and rather unceremoniously) installed at the n of IMPPA affairs with Sardar Chandulal Shah as pilot, is no less aware of this, has been vaguely indi- " *id by the latter's reported presidential address to tbat . r- y, One had thought that at least the otherwise redoubt- 3 Sardar would begin his term of office by initiating a listic approach to the many and varied problems con- riting the industry. A straightforward grip with the : nee problem, its pros and cons, would, to all intents purposes, have been in the fitness of things. But haps it is a sheer quackery to expect seasoned somn bulists and self-seeking die-hards to show any such : Ion or broad outlook. With no post-war improvement in quality worth the ie in sight yet, with the falling box-office values star- gravely in the face and with the far from palatable erience of Congress Ministerial sympathy and sup- t serving as a regular damper, it is little wonder that big guns, some of whose mouths are still savoury with ir ill-gotten gains during the boom time, are becom- reluctant to have more fingers in the pie and that big industrial magnates and capitalists are shying to _ loose their purses in the movie business with the re- •l that a search for inexperienced "suckers" and scape- ihubala and Ramsing have a peculiar way of looking •ach other through the corners of their eyes in Prahhat Film Company's forthcoming picture yet untitled. Sulochana C'.hatterji and Rehman provide man/ a romantic moment in "Veena", Jagat Pictures' maiden production. goats to have their stakes in the filmdom has already be- gun! There is. for instance, the striking and typical exam- ple of a local would-be producer who has been advertis- ing, through various stunts, for a financier to come for- ward and help him complete his first independent-cum- ambitious offering. The fellow writes vaguely in the ad. that his picture is half completed and does not fail to ex- ploit fully the names of two leading stars whom he claims to have bagged on sweeping remuneration. And what do you think is the amount which he finally agrees to accept for completing his film on being approached by unsuspecting little investors? Just any- thing from one lac to twenty-five thousand! Actually, the excuse that the film is half completed turns out to be grossly incorrect when the would-be financier desires to see that half length supposed to have been Bhof and is naively informed that, well, though the actual shooting is yet to begin, practically all the song- hits by Miss So and So have been recorded and could, in fact, be mortgaged by way of security. No wonder the investor (unless he's an out and out dope) smells a rat and leaves the wretch alone in search of another sucker to lend him finance so as to meet the expenses of studio hire, stars' salaries etc., before he finally decides to wash everybody's hands off the whole joke ! In other words, this is how a band of inexperienced mushroom producers, with more pretentions than testi- II Th is would be a frequent occurrence at the Cinemas in villages and small towns, if the leading Indian pictures now available on 16 mm. films are shown .... and shown to their best advantage on an RCA 16 mm. Projector. Built into these RCA 16 mm. Sound Film Projectors are the latest developments in Sound Equipment and modern technique of motion picture projection, widely appreciated in the 35 mm. equipment of the same makers. Instal an RCA Projector and be sure of a full house. WHEN YOU BUY RCA YOU BUY THE BEST Diitr'butcd txduilvely by Solt Concessionaires : PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTD. (AFFILIATED WITH RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA) Mlla Office: 9. MARINE LINES, BOMAAT I. Vlt.HMM M ., MADAAS-71, QMtumr, Nlw DCIHI-IO. OK Coin Mogi. St, CALCUTTA, PROJECTOI FOR TRUE AND NATURAL SOUND AND CLEAR, BRIGHT PICTURES ssf r r igust, 1948 FILMINDIA r lials tagged to their ventures, are unwittingly and lustrously letting out the 'tricks of the trade' more to t detriment of the industry at large rather than their c 1 prospects which are generally foredoomed in any c ?. W ith all one's fascination for free enterprise and t husiasm for newcomers, including new7 producers, to r lace the old hags, it cannot be gainsaid that this kind can abortive hunt for suckers (who after all seldom tie in so handy!) is certainly most reprehensible and d laging to the industry's established reputation and p jardises whatever slender prospects which exist for il future development and grow th. When the producers, especially those on the horns oi dilemma, come forward to seek finance from quar- b other than those accustomed to movie business, let tin have a clean slate and businesslike proposals bereft 9 the customary claptraps and subterfuges found in |)ue. For suckers (as they fondly hope) are unlikely jrush in where nowadays even the seasoned troupers tr to tread. Perhaps that millionaire British financier. Harold C. Cyton who is believed to have made millions out of tt film industry without hav ing seen a single film, would he to change his mind (and practice) if he were b ught here and got acquainted w ith the modus ope- Tiii of our producers. "He that hath not the craft, let him shut up shop" isafter all said and done, a motto whose significance rfjld never be lost on those who profess to have artis- ti eanings (however remote) — ideal or no ideal! ^ina and Ranjit Kuniari make a nice pair of flippy belles in Filmistan's "Sajan" HULLO, CITY FATHERS! In vain, after the last Municipal elections, have we been waiting for the new crop of our City Fathers to begin redeeming their many pious pre-election pledges and promises and to start 'springcleaning' Bombay's augean stables including the number of first and second run theatres nurturing the worst possible insanitary and unhygienic conditions as a matter of traditional legacy of one administration to another. In fact, judging from their rapid unpopularity and vanishing public confidence in them within so short a period of their regime, it is clear that, despite scathing criticism of their nonchalance, our City Fathers are fast stepping into the shoes of their predecessors and would even appear to be out to surpass their lamentable and ignominous record of sitting on the fence! Knowing well how very heedless they are to criti- cism and oblivious of the more urgent issues at stake and even assuming that they are not fully conversant with the state of affairs obtaining in the majority of theatres in Bombay, especially the second-run variety, I think it may be worthwhile to suggest without being impertinent that, before all is lost, our City Fathers should collective- ly (or in batches) take up paying surprise visits to pic- ture-houses other than those they land the elite) are used to frequent and thus personally inspect, testify and gather first-hand knowledge of the abominable conditions and the countless other nauseating aspects surrounding our screenfare in this nation's First City which continue to be an ordeal for the picturegoer, thanks to the callous- ness of the theatre-owners, aided and abetted by the stu- died connivance of our Municipal administration and the working of the Health department of the Government of Bombay. I am sure if the City Fathers were to thus even be- latedly take up seeing things for themselves, they will not only be better equipped to tackle the problem with greater efficiency and speed, but will indirectly be doing a service to themselves by regaining the fast waning con- fidence of the citizens. In view of the acknowledged difficulties in the way of erecting new theatres, it becomes incumbent on our part to see that the existing ones are kept in at least to- lerably decent, healthy and hygienic conditions that is least expected of the management. The Bombay Municipal Corporation today is merit- ing many-sided attacks and denunciation of its "monu- mental complacency" and the press has been particu- larly unsparing in its strictures. A striking specimen of how vehemently is this agitation being mobilised is to be found in the words of the evening paper which wrote: "what is housed, impressively at Bori Bunder, is merely a conglomeration of rubbish, generously interspersed with City Fathers who have used the peoples' vote to make of the Corporation a public relations organisation for themselves This rubbish heap faithfully symbo- lises the bigger rubbish heap — Bombay. The Bombay Municipality deserves to suffer the same fate as its Cal- cutta counterpart, a speedy obliteration, after the City Fathers have been charged in a court of law for wasting 13 Projectioni ts Ask the men vio run them SIMPLEX has what it takes! With Theatre Patrons For higher patron pleasure . . . builds bigger boxoffice! CINE* SUPPLIES m 5TH MAIN RO. GANDHI NAGAR BANGALORE CITY. 0 TEL E6RAMS : FILMOSOUND OPP, OPERA HOUSE BOMBAY 4 August, 1948 FILMINDIA iublic money, for having used a public institution to urther their own petty and entirely unworthy ends." Will the City Fathers wake up before it is too late nd start honouring the vote on which they got elected y tackling the city's health-cum-sanitation problem with etermined, concerted endeavour? Let them come forward to have a 'taste' of the ex- 'eme suffocation which one experiences as a rule in our lajestics and Imperials and Minervas and Lamingtons nd Novelties alongside the admittedly more appalling onditions in the slums before our tolerance and patience re completely exhausted and go out of bounds! IX AWARDS AND NO ACADEMY! By a rather queer but infallible habit, the more I ?ad and hear of American and British films, their stars nd technicians, winning Academy Awards year after ear which not only provide a rare impetus to their res- I ective industries but mirror with pride before the entire iiorld their spectacular achievements and cinematic glory, i le more I feel inclined to reflect over the almost mise- ibly insufficient and unhealthy competitive spirit in the idian film industry and the absolute lack of anything ke a representative and qualified body to discharge so seful a function as that of a National Film Academy. And, believe me, the more I have been thus reflect- ig, the more confoundingly I have wondered what ould be the fate of such an academy in our present en- I ronments even if it existed and functioned ! I do not know if that is exactly the reason why our Im enthusiasts and critics, including Editor Patel him- |J:lf, seem to be loathe to set the ball rolling in that Hrection. But there are occasions when one feels the lljlf rather strongly and is prompted to ask whether, in H.e absence of a properly constituted academy, it is desi- ble to indulge in this rather clumsy business of I vards-giving as evidenced recently in Bombay. The first time this anomaly of awards on the film ont struck me was during the silver jubilee week of at stinking cinematic trash in Gujarati, "Gunsundari" the local Swastik when everyone who had contributed its production was awarded a miniature medal at a blic function exclusively patronised by interested loti-clad Gujaratis. Seldom in recent memory have we witnessed so jch undeserving and ill-merited praise being showered on so arrent and yet (to a certain extent) popular nsense on the screen and, correspondingly, so many I lerwise intelligent Gujaratis running amuck to hail so gligible a band of nin-com-poops at a public function >stly because they all happen to be the sons of our I j arvi Gujarat"! If a particular film has clicked well enough at the I IX office to bring its producer in a charitable disposi- n so as to think favourably of his lesser associates, it uld be understandable to give them a special bonus the like without meddling with these awards and me- Is which are, more often than not, woefully ill-merited d unjustifiable. Madhubala and Ramsingh do not seem to be friendly in Prahhat's forthcoming social directed by Pethkar. The silver jubilee rumpus about "Gunsundari" thus became an unhappy reminder that box office success still continues to be the veritable sheet anchor for our film folks to rave about. It is a pity that its sponsors should have allowed their enthusiasm to be so misdirected and made a public fettish of the whole show instead of quiet- ly letting the producers pat their own back and that of their staff if they were so keen on demonstrating their sense of democracy. Faring somewhat differently and incidentally less presumptuous, was the annual "tamasha" held by a local vernacular weekly declaring Suraiyra as the "best (In- dian) actress of 1947" and presenting her a gold medal at a special gathering held at the Roxy on 11th July. Admitting that her all-round superb performance in "Parwana" does sufficiently justify Suraiya's choice in a comparative sense, it is a matter of opinion whether she could pass off as the best actress of the year on that score alone. What gets my goat is the fact that these awards and medals should serve no better purpose than providing a field dayr for everyone interested in self publicity, leav- ing the question of a genuine, bona-fide appreciation of our films and film artistes, severely alone. Let us have a fairly constituted All-India Film Aca- demy whose decisions would merit the widest approval of film-goers and whose establishment may automatically end these cheap publicity stunts and family affairs which we have been witnessing in the guise of indiscrimi- nate awards and medals. 15 ugust, 194S FILM INDIA No prospects at all among non-Indian audi- ences. LDH NARAIN (Agra) Our popular ministry is planning a lot for the leedy extermination of poverty from the country by ay of industrializing it. Will they he after all suc- ssful in this drive? Success can only come after the ministers are allotted to try their ideas and plans. But their hands are full with riots, strikes and refugees. Let us first deserve before we desire. How do vou propose to help the nation personally om your own purse? / pay income tax, municipal tax. water tax. dog tax, sales tax and a hundred other taxes hont stly and promptly. S. N. Ml RTHY (Bangalore) What is a perfect screen kiss? One that is caught by the camera but not by the lips. RAMACHANDRAN (Madras) Kamla Kotnis belongs to Andhra but she acts in ndi films. Does she actually know the language o» it uttered parrot-wise? For an Andhra. whatever that is. Kamla has shown good progress in Hindustani. The woman has talent as well as few unnecessary wrinkles 'am and Naintara make an attractive and handsome r in "Aaj Kur Kal" written and directed bj K. \. kbbas. Nargis, the glamour girl of the Indian xreen. is more be witching than ever in "Banal", R. K. Films* next produc- tion. which can disappear if she gets her face lifted in America. \\ by is your criticism limited to Hindi films ? Don't you know other languages? / know English. Hindi. Urdu, Hindustani, Ma- rat/ii. Gujrati. Slarwari and quite a bit of Bengali. I wanted to learn Tamil but I saw a Tamil picture and lost my passion for the language. Would you agree with me that your criticisms arc the best? Agreed. Which is your favourite subject: History, politics, economics or science? Banking. S. P. SON] (Calcutta) What is the difference between the stage and the screen ? On the stage. Prithviraj looks a great artiste, on the screen, a poor one. V VN VM) V R \<> (Bangalore) Is it desirable to disband private armies? In our own country the armies should belong to the state. This ''private" business has a ring of rebellion in it. W hat is the definition of a nationalist Muslim? The little man who was stabbed both from the front and the back. 19 SITARAM V. MUNGREY AMBICA FILMS DIL KI AWAZ Produced and Directed M. I. DHARAMSEY Starring : — NARGIS DILIP KUMAR SANKATHA PRASAD MUQRI AND NALINI JAYWANT Story, Dialogue : — ZIA SAR H AD Y Songs: — ZIA SARHADY BEHZAD LUCKNOWI GOPAL SING H NEPALI MUSIC:— ANIL BISWAS Photography : — J AL M ISTRY Sound : — R. CHATTERJEE For particulars — AMBICA. FILMS, 20, Haines Road, Mahaluxmi, BOMBAY 11. AND NOW UNDER PRODUCTION : ARPAN Starring:- SULOCHANA CHATTERJEE and a galaxy of stars Directed By:- ISMAIL MEMON . K. Screen Classics' maiden production "Batohi" intro- jce* a new lovely article Krishna who plays an important role in the picture. . K0TE5WARA RAO (Tenali) What is the position of a famous actor among big oliticians? Spit-licker! Our politicians are snobs. iARTIN T. (Dibrugarh) "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". Do du fear God? Heavens, no! Why should I when He is sup- posed to be all merciful! I. VENKATESA1N (Nagore) What are your assets and liabilites? / have no liabilities. I live within my means and don't strive to become a rich man. What is the high level matter that cannot be dis- losed in the film industry? Everything in the film industry is on a low level and some of the things on such a low level that they also cannot be disclosed. . K. NAKUL (New Delhi) Snehaprabha is said to be fond of reading am! writing? Where is it said? i. BABU RAO (Kondapalli) His Exalted Highness, the Nizam, fears about join ng the Union. Why? He is afraid of losing caste with Pakistan. The Indian Army will convert him. Wait and see. Has any Muslim actress married any Hindu actor? FILM INDIA Only Geeta Nizami went astray. Usually it is the other way round. \\ hat is the meaning of Pakistan according to you? A graveyard of thousands of innocent souls and the future field of revolution. KRISHNA KUMAR THAKl'R (Kanpur) Is politics a game or a gamble? // is guerrilla warfare. S. M. L. NIGAM (Kanpur) Have you changed your conception of politics with the change of government? Now you pose yourself to be a Congressman to avail yourself of the opportunity like other Congressmen ! / have been a Congressman since 1922, though I dont run round our leaders like a circus clown. I dont ask a single favour from any Congressman in power, and I have no "opportunity" to *ash. Most of the official white caps dislike me cordially. I want to remain a Congressman to criticise the Con- gress. The Congress today needs more critics than clappers. S. \. KHUDDUS (Anantapur) Which is more intoxicating: woman or wine? // depends on how much you have of each. It is the dose that intoxicates, not the stuff. Which filmfan does not know Deviku Rani? She will re- vive some old memories in Diamond Pictures' forthcom- ing production "Anyaya" 21 OUR RESPECTFUL HOMAGE TO THE FATHER OF THE NATION TRUTH, NON VIOLENCE, LOVE, PEACE AND UNITY I i i IS THE HE DIED SO THAT LCVE MAY TRIUMPH OVER I VTiri HE WORE THE CROWN OE MAR1YR- DCA4 TO RESCUE INDIA'S AND PAKI- STAN'S -4C© MIEEIONS FROM DEATH & DESTRUCTION HE WAS GREAT IN LIFE BUT GREATER IN DEATH GREATEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR RIESSRGE of mflHRTRlR GRNDHI LEELA CHITNIS SHASHIKALA SHARMA Lyrics JOSH MALI HABADI BAHZAD LAKHNAVI MAMMOOD SAROSH AHSAN RIZVI FEATURING MUZAMMIL JILLOBAI PRAKASH B. DILNAZ B. SHYARMA & OTHERS. 'Lpioducs.d and f2^iis.cbc.d Iju MUZAMMIL KHURSHID BEGUM MUZAMMIL NIRAIMJAN Dialogue KAMIL RASH I D Screenplay ZABAK BASED OX A THEME SUGGESTED BY • ALIJAH NAWAB SARWAR A L I KHAN FIROZ JUNG BAHADUR H. H. THE NAWAB SAHEB OF KURWAI STATE (G. CHAIRMAN) Music by KHAN SAHEB ABID HUSSAIN KHAN ( BY THE COURTESY OF H. H. NAWAB SAHEB OF JANJIRA ) AND MR. BANERJI FOR PARTICULARS PLEASE WRITE TO FILMLAND LIMITED Prospect Chambers (Annexe) Hornby Road, Fort, Bombay " tpist, 1948 ItKAM SIVANATH (Berhampur) 1 1 If the Indian Union Government forms a ministry of i* will vou accept the offer of a minister for the , ,e? f| No. I don't mix with a wrong croud. I aunt to be a critic /tin ays. lYADHAR F. N \GARKAR (Bombay) If smoking is harmful to health, why do you II .ke? / don't smoke these days, dont drink and Jon t I do many things which are attributed to me. I am U fast becoming a Sadhu with only milk inside me and an ulcer for excitement. Sou. alas, even that ulcer has been removed by the American surgeons. I Why are women cleverer at shopping than men? // wasting time in indecision is clever shop- ping then men are guilty of impatience. U omen spend both, time and money. Men can't afford to do that. What is your everyday prayer to God ? / only remember him. 1 don't ask anything knowing that He doesn't give it. Who are the Rig Three of the Indian film industry? Chandulal. Chunilall and Chhotubhai. Hon do they sound? Chan! Chun! Chho! K. (,HOSH (Kanpur) Miss Chandralekha Pandit is the Puhlic Relations "Amol Moli," Jayashakti Pictures' noxi production, lehprahha i> seen listening rather anxiously lu sonic perioui talk from I makant. FILMINDIA Any young woman Mould look as happy as Munawar Sul- tana docs in receiving such a lovely necklace from Sureil- dra in "Men Kahani". Super Team Federal Productions* maiden picture Officer to our ambassador in Russia. Gan't Panditji get any other competent person ? Any \ehru is easily the most competent per- son in India at the moment. If you ask that question again, old Vijaylakshmi will kick you. just as she threatened to do in case of some press photograph- ers in Bombay, If you get even a Nehru kick, you will be a national leader. MISS GOUROO KUSHALPA (Mercara) \\ hat pleasure do people get from smoking? At times a smoker finds more in a cigarette than in a woman. Do you think the whole of India will ever he dry? If it hecomes so. what will happen to confirmed drunk- ards? They will drink poisonous illicit stuff and die sooner. Which is your faxourite English song? The only English song I remember is "God Save The King". I dont know whether it is a song, an anthem, a hymn or a dirge. In India they used to play it even after a favourite horse lost the race. What's your opinion of His Excellency C. Raja- gopalachari ? Excellent! Which of the animals do you wish most for a pet? My first choice is dogs. The second is women. MU. AMEEN1 DDIIS (Madras) Don "t you think that modern Eve starts running he fore she has learnt to walk? 23 For Territorial Rights Please Contact: — M/S MAYA FILMS, 5I' Dubash Market, Sheikh Memon Street, BOMB/f ■ugust, 1948 ;hana comes with added charms and full bloom of beauty in Orient Films' forthcoming picture "Jannat". That is because she is chased by greedy hunt ers who don't give her even a dog S chance. . RAGHOTHAMA RAO (Anantapur) Who are the angels in the Garden of Allah? The dead ones who don't put Allah to shame. \. NARAYAiNA RAO (Mysore) Heroes don't die in the romances written by our ,m story w riters. \\ In ? // they died theatres would be empty. People don't pay to see their heroes die. Is the terror of society the basis of morals and the nor of C»od the secret of religion? Terror has a short life. Society and religion arc not based on such flimsy passion. Jus! consider the age of our religion and society and you will find an answer. \ blush is becoming only when one is young. \\ ben i old woman blushes, what does it signify? The blush has another meaning modesty. How many kinds of women are there in this world? Only two kinds, good and bad. Is it personality or principles that move the age? Principles determine a personality and the people, however bad themselves, always adrnire principles. What is Nature's first lesson to all her children? Yell when you want. Is eating one's own heart a healthy occupation? It is a diet that tastes bitter owing to the bile of disappointment. 1 FILM INDIA Empty stomachs are foul counsellors! So are power crazy brains. But when stomachs revolt brains die. In the case of wily women how is it that tears dry as soon as they have served their end ? Their flushing system is operated by design and opportunity. Do you understand young ladies having male friends? / can't understand being old fashioned but I see them having in plenty. Have you seen male ladies and female gentlemen? Very common these days, especially in the city. Most of them work for the revival of art and cul- ture. Every woman that is married isn't in love with her husband ? / beg your pardon ! M. P. MAHENDRU (Kamptee) Why do Urdu poets always blame the beloved for a love wreck ? They call the sweetheart a tyrant and then pro- ceed to prostrate before her. It is a delicate process that ends in bringing the woman to the man's feet. That's Urdu poetry. MISS GAITRI KALSI (New Delhi) What has made you so witty? When you look at bread and can't gel it, you Sofia is trying to soothe Suraiya who is apparently upset in "Shakti", Greater Bombay Pictures' first production. 25 MOHAN STUDIO ANDHERI SEHPR A^ RROON PICTURES, if^^1 SHRUHPR DIL-SITHQN ARTS. KUCHH NRUQ SHPNTI PICTURES. DIRECTOR SRNTOSHI S KHIDKI BIGGEST BOX-OFFICE NIT BRNU MPRINfl PICTURES. BHflRTRUHflRI (GUdflRflTHl) dPGPTCHIT Rfl. RNMOLHOTI dflY SMPKTI PICTURE 5. JRL5Q dOTH PRRKASH. cHunnRin # hULDIP PICTURES U I5^HUGUST BOSHAN PICTURES. dm HIMD CHQLLENGE PRODUCTIOH JADUKHITRfi PRPBHQ PICTURES. DZHDHIItDUSTRn ROSHRfl PICTURES. DESK SFVfl ROSHPn PICTURES. JOKEP GRUTOm CHITRfi. "moHpns" hits I cJRDUinnSOOTH IM*F'4HU5nflRfl,nniLfiU(nflu PRTRfl MfHUHE pmiRKQRnRTAf.j jnpui&nnsnii onuRHPnnpTQK, promi. POLICEUini HUSNRC.R. JflDUI-SinDOID PEL STUPIT STPRSjfl HIND MOIL PRPKQSH. dnDui-SEnonii flmiRhnRnflTflni,sttqnTflP(it ^ROOPBRsnnr NEUJ FPCES CtinflDRRBQU 9 ugust, 1948 FILM INDIA become witty and humorous to cheat your own stomach. . S. RANGNEKAR (Agashi) Why is it that your criticism carries so much pres- »e in the Indian film industry? Because it can't be purchased. Right or wrong it is honest always and the man who proves otherwise gets Rs. lO.OOOj- from me. RAVIN RAVAL (Nairobi) How to become a politician? See which way the owd is going, then jump in front and yell like hell? Haven't we had enough of politics? We paid for this dirty game with the life of the greatest man of the world. UTHI PAUL SINGH (Jullundur) I have been allotted a Muslim abandoned house in lich are lying some volumes of the Quran and other ligious books. How would you advise me to dispose em of? / don't think a Muslim will leave the Quran behind and run away. But if what you say is true, respect the holy book and keep it as the memento of a missing brother. I have a copy of the Quran in my home and I read it often. V.R. SWAMY (Negapatam) Our ladies never fail to use powder and perfume bile going to the temples? Does the Almighty require 1 these luxuries? Are not the Hindu gods bathed in milk and release. Sunder plavs an important role in "Shadi-ke-Baad," Shree Amar Pictures' forthcoming social. anointed daily? If stones are treated thus v;hy not human beings? D. T. K ANCHAN (Bombay) What are the rights and duties of Indians in ffee India? The rights constitute a right to be Indians and the duties constitute the duty to be traditional and cultured Indians. If you answer the questions in a tude manner don't you think you will be increasing the number of your enemies? Who cares for enemies in this wretched coun- try where even a saint is murdered for the crime of being the gentlest and greatest man of an age? HAKDET SINGH (Singapore) Can a blind mm walk without a stick? In death men close their eyes and go to heaven without a stick. What will happen if a man kisses another man's wife? // "another man" is strong, "a man'' would be a dead man. S. VENKATACHARI (Negapatam) Do you have your own studios? What do you take me for? A capitalist? I earn just enough to keep the home fires burning and keep me out of debts. 27 Supported By : Chand Burke, Ramesh, Baij Sharma, Narbada Direction: RAVIN DAVE. Shankar, Sarita, Krishna Duggal, Mrs. Pal, Mehdi Music: HANS RAJ BAHAL. Raza and Sewak. Prod. Conti oiler: L. R. BHAKHRI. Written by: M. R. BHAKHRI. Distributors for Bengal:— Messrs. Hind Film Exchang. Agents for Delhi, U. P. & East Punjab : — ARORA TALKIE DISTRIBUTORS, Chandni Chowk. DELHI. For Particulars Contact -KU LD\? PICTURES, LTD., Sarita Villa, Seven Bungalows — Andheri — BOMB/, August, 1948 WSS ANIMA CHATTERJEA (Bankura) What would you call a woman of 39 who longs to |Harry a lad of 19 V A cannibal. Is there any relation between death and darkness They are twins. When does beauty need mystery ? When it fights shy of exposure. What does a man see first in himself? A flattering picture of himself. What does love mean to a goonda? A bad brake to his profession. Can a coward become a national leader 9 Not in India. What do you think of polygamy? A crime against our Congress. What would you call a woman who calls you j 1 aughty boy"? She is asking for trouble. iHTAR NAWAZ (Nasik) By answering questions do you not think that your ;-ad will one day become vacant? My head is not a warehouse for storing junk. It is a factory where thought is constantly manu- factured. 1ASHI DATT (Kanpur) Is kiss merely a teaser? Not always! It is often a courtesy. LWAHIK S. THAN PI (Jodhpur) How did you like Charlie Chaplin's latest film, Monsieur Verdoux"? A shivering affair which somehow produced a great moral at the end. . S. CHAUHAN (Haihr a>) I am tired of my life and want to leave this world. Biggest me any place where I should go? Isn't there a river near by? '. SKIK V NTH (Mangalore) Being an inquisitive chap, may I know how much pwry your wife brought you ? A heart ful. \XMl CHAM) KUMBHAT (Jodhpur) ^In "Bharat Milap" Kama and Laxman lived for •urteen years in exile but no moustaches and beards few on their faces. Why this strange phenomenon .' Gillette's ancestor must have also gone into exile with them. I . \K\I \ SAWANT (Bombav) j Is honesty in politics a virtue? / virtue that COStS life. H ITRI DEVI (Ca*npore) What is the difference between the tears of a child id those of a woman ? Those of a child are pearls of innocence. In a tvoman they arc often drops of damnation. Is it true that you were born with a silver spoon jiyour mouth? FILM INDIA There was neither silver nor spoon within a hundred miles of me. RAN JIT SINGH (Lucknow) What is the easiest method of learning a language? Take a sleeping dictionary. JAGDEESH NARAIN (Jodhpur) What part can the students play to make India happy? // the students stop wrong agitations and observe discipline for another ten years, not only will India be happy but they will themselves inherit a prosperous and peaceful country. Why are the Socialists becoming a nuisance to the Congress? That is the old power game of political ambi- tion. Why doesn't Mehboob present Sardar Akhtar on the screen ? Sardar Akhtar is an old woman noiv and she wont draw at the box-office. RS. 500 j- IN 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH The following prizes are awarded every month for questions which are considered interesting or elicit interesting replies in the "'Editor's Mail". 1st Prize: Rs. 100|-; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80|-; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50|-; 4th Prize: Rs. 40|-; 5th Prize: Rs. 30|- and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs. 1.0 1- each. A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. Questions should be neatly written or typed if pos- sible. Unless the letters are signed, they won't be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor's decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no correspondence will be entertained. The names of the prize-winners will be announ- ced in '"filmindia7' every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Ordei. PRIZE WINNERS FOR AUGUST 1st Prize: Rs. 100|- to A. N. Narayana Rao (Mysore) ; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80|- to Miss Gouroo Kushalpa (Mercara) ; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50|- to T. K. Pattabhiram (Secunderabad Dn) ; 4th Prize: Rs. 40]- to Miss Anima Chatterjea (Bankura); 5th Prize: Rs. 30|- to Hardet Singh (Singapore) and 20 consolation prizes of Rs. lOj- each to the follow- ing: A. Bamachandran (Madras); A. S. Naidu (Secunderabad Dn) ; N. Ananda Rao ( Bangalore) ; S. A. Khuddus I Anantapur) ; Vidyadhar P. Nagar- kar (Bombay); Jagdeesh Narain (Jodhpur); Md. Ameenuddin (Madras) ; W. Raghothama Rao (An- antapur) ; M. P. Mahendru (Kamptee) ; Miss Gaitri Kalsi (New Delhi); Prithi Paul Singh (Jullundur) ; N.V.R. Swamy (Xegapatam); Shashi Datt (Kanpur); M. Srikanth (Mangalore) ; Laxmi Chand Kumbhat (Jodhpur) ; S K. Ghosh (Kanpur) ; Savitri Devi (Cawnpore) ; Banjit Singh (Lucknow); A. Koteswara Rao (Tenali) and Martin T. (Dibrugarh). Money Orders are being sent to the prize w inners. 29 ACCLAIMED BY LEADERS A GREAT PICTURE WINS GREAT RECOGNITION WHEN RELEASED AT NAGPUR ". . . This picture will form a historical record of the fight for freedom of India. . ." ". . . It has in addition an educational and moral value of its own. The part played by the mother of Suresh is an example of what a true uneducated Indian mother can do in inspiring her sons in the service of motherland. The great in- spiring and noble part played by women of India in the struggle of freedom led by Mahatma Gandhi is well brought out. . ." MANGALDAS PAKVASA, H. E. the Governor oj C. P. and Berar. Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . A stimulating Picture. The move- ment part is well done and the story never flags. How can such a story flag! The acting was above the average met with in India. . . " JAIRAMDAS DOULATRAM, Minister for Food and Agriculture. Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . The picture is extremely realistic and about its educational value there can hardly be two opinions. Those of the new generation who have the great good fortune of living in an independent India ought to see and remind them- selves time after time of the infinite sufferings that the people of this coun- try had to undergo at the hands of the foreigner. They must also know something about the great life of Gandhi ji and about the kind of re- volution that he brought about in this country. The film yi question is obvi- ously invaluable from this point of view. . . " W. S. BARLINGAY, Minister of Law, C. P. and Berar. Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . I do not know how far my opi- nion is valuable. Whatever its worth I can at once say that I was highly impressed by the conception of the theme, its presentation, and its execu- tion. It immortalises on screen the long drawn struggle for freedom of an unarmed people under the guidance of the father of the nation who is no more with us. . . " D. K. MEHTA, Minister for Finance, C. P. and Berar. presents A Z A J) I - KI - R A II P A R AN ALL STAR CAST PICTURE Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . The Picture is outstanding in its Historical and Political aspects, and its educational value is great. The future generation will appreciate more and more what part their forefathers play- ed in Freedom struggle led by Con- gress under the inspiring guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. . . " R. SHUKLA, Premier, Central Provinces and Berar. Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . It is a well executed and stimu- lating picture, which depicts the strug- gle for the liberty of India during the last 25 years under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In this picture, the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and the story of non-violent revolution which ultimate- ly dawned independence to India on the 15th August 1947, are shown quite realistically. It is in fact the first pic- ture of its type, which reminds the national workers of their past sacrifi- ces and valour and inspires reverence and support for Congress. It has got some masterly comic hits as well; es- pecially the meeting of the comrades and the discussion are master piece R. AGNIBHOJ, Minister for Public Works, C. P. and Berar. Re: Azadi-ki-Rah-Par ". . . I saw the film "Azadi-ki-Rah- Par" on the fifth instant. It is the first attempt of its kind and is certainly inspiring. . . " D. P. MISHRA. Minister for Industries, C.P. and Berar SHORTLY COMING AT YOUR CINEMA lor C. P. & C. I.. TAK FILM CORPORATIONS, MADAN GUNJ KISHAN GARH, RAJPUTANA. For Particulars please write to, M/s. The Hindusthan Kala Mandir Ltd, P. O. Box No. 2319, BOMBAY 2. UR WOMAN'S PAGE Smile, Please ! By: •Joan Ru Hedge It is a remarkable fact that the vast jority of people honestly believe t they photograph badly when en by a professional photograph- The number of times you hear the rds: "Oh, that's a terrible photo- aph of me. I only come out well snapshots!*' And yel it is the pho- grapher's job to turn out a like- ss as flattering and as true as pos- le; why, then, does he so often il to do so? Or perhaps it would more accurate to ask why his work ils to please his sitter. The fault does not always rest with e photographer. There are several asons why a photograph fails to ease — it does not look like the sit- r, or the smile is forced, the pose tificial, the shadows too pronoun- d — but the fust thing we all pounce i is that we do not look as attractive, i glamorous, as appealing as we had ped. • For this, the remedy is not in the nds of the photographer; all he in do is to take his subject as she arranging lighting and back- rounds to the best possible advan- ge. It is up to the sitter herself to imember a number of points when Ming ready for a photograph, oints which may make all the differ- nce to the result. First of all, make up your mind sfinitelj what sort of photograph ou want — a natural one in everyday othes, or a very special one in ening dress. WATCH YOUR NECKLINE Next, choose a good photographer, id help him by wearing the best yle for the job. For a head and loulders portrait, a plain high eked dress or blouse is best, with ttle or no jewellery visible. Choose neckline that does not "date", and void a lovvcut neck, as the collar- one is apt to appear very prominent hen underlined by a shadow. Colours are important. Avoid ead white and black, and very larply contrasting light and dark :ripes or checks. In the average photograph, the dark colour will ap- pear black and the light one will look as if it has been painted out altoge- ther. Red, bright green, and medium blues come out very well, but most light pastels look grey or dirty white. Spots are usually not very success- ful, but stripes of one colour on a light ground, if not too close toge- ther, look very clear and crisp. AVOID EXCESSIVE MAKE-UP Your make-up should be very dis- creet indeed. Hardly any lipstick is necessary, as it looks black if you have too much. Too much rouge makes you look hollow-cheeked, and too much mascara gives you the ap- pearance of the old-style villainess of the silent screen. The merest touch is all that you need. The most suitable hair-style is en- tirely a matter of personal taste, but I favour being photographed in one's usual coiffure, done, of course, very carefully for the occasion. One of the main reasons for complaints that a photograph is a bad likeness is that it does not, in point of fact, look anything like the sitter as she usually is. A complicated hair-style may look very nice at the time, but it has one disadvantage; and that is. that after looking at the photograph for some time, one becomes very tired of it, which very seldom happens with a simple and natural style. And no •one wants a photograph of you as you never look. So stick to your •own hair-style. The last two points to think about in a photograph are your expression and your pose. If the photographer says coaxingly to you, "Smile, please."' and you do not feel like smiling — Don't. Do not, of course, scowl fiercely, but simply relax and your face will fall into natural lines of repose. If you do want to smile, don't give a wide grin, which will look forced, but smile as if some- thing just behind the camera was faintly amusing. Sulochana Chatterjee finds something natural in Apni Chhaya written, directed & produced I>> Santoshi for Chitralaya Ltd. BE COMFORTABLE! Your pose, the angle of the photo- graph, and the background should be determined by the photographer, but remember one thing refuse to be posed in a position which is even slightly uncomfortable, because un- less you are completely at your ease, it will be evident in the finished job. Unless you are quite sure that you look your best in profile land only a few people do), don't specify a side v iew. The photographer will be able to tell at a glance whether you should be taken full, side, or three- quarter face, and adjust his lights to give the most pleasing results ac- cordingly. Next time you are photographed, run over these points first. If it is true that the camera cannot lie, there is no reason why you should not look just as nice in a photograph as you do in the flesh. 31 ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS LIMITE SENT PRC SENT UtmM «SS* M 0 TIL AND SANKATHA PRASAD LADDEN * YUSUF SULEMAN * MURAD * N. KABIR * SANGEETA * K. RAVINDRA & NIHAL Music- ANIL BISWAS Bb Story & Dialogue : Songs: Sound: Controller of Productions: KHAQUAN HUSSAIN, M. A. * G. S. NEPALI * R. N. CHATTERJI * M. A SIDDIQUI Producers: MALIK BROTHERS Direction db Phoicgi aphy : R. D . MATHUR Grams:- SAZSANGEET For Particulars Phone: 40198 ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS LTD. For 11 est Pakistan Haines Road, BOMBAY II. For C. P. & C 1. ALLIED DISTRIBUTORS (LTD.) Mandviwala Bldg., Sarai Rd., KARACHI. ALLIED DISTRIBUTORS (LTD.) 9, Kingsway Cantt., JUBBULPORE. our coming "HAR-SINGAR" Written dJ Directed By: MAHESH KAUL. ATTRACTIONS " I T T E F A Q 1 Direction & Photography: R. D. MATHUR. Sleeping Beauty By Leila Danbury \ good night s sleep is the best idamental beautifier for any wo- rn; but many a woman lies awake an airless rumpled bed. doing ne wide-awake worrying about a .contented boss, a bitter argument :h her husband, or the children's ital bills. And when morning mes she drags herself out of bed. avv-lidded and frazzled, looking ything but the "Sleeping Beauty" the fairy tale. Apart from physical illness, inso- lia is. caused mostly by mental and lotional anxieties. Fear, frustra- te anger and disappointment take :ir toll in sleepless nights: and hough even a pleasurable stimu- nt such as a party, a discussion, a m or a book can produce a rest- s state of wakefulness in some ople. this is likely to occur far s than insomnia caused by an- fety. There is no point in tossing and rning. fearful thoughts running rough your mind till they grow to come horrific: just staying in bed eeing the night through."" Psycho- gists say the best way to combat ar or anxiety is to think construc- ely — to think forward. So. if you e a victim, think to yourself : "Is is problem mine to solve? Can I ) anything about it non? If the answer i- "yes"", take action. If the answer is "no"", then relax. IT CAN BE DONE Naturally, this is easier said than done — but the important point is that it can be done. If you are a chronic sufferer from insomnia you will pro- bably continue to be one until you consult a competent psvchiatrist. This article — or any short news- paper article — can be of little help to you. Rut if you suffer sleepless nights only occasionally, you can help yourself. W hatever the reason for sleepless- ness, one must develop the ability to relax physically. Flop on the bed. completely limp, and close vour eyes. Let your jaw sag. stretch your neck, move your arms and shoulders about, then let them drop as thev will. Relax and continue this proce- dure right down your body just sag and relax Try and cut down on all stimulat- ing activities about an hour before bedtime. Sewing, knitting, reading a not-too-exciting book, face-cream- ing, manicuring or hair-brushing all fall into the category of sleep- getters. A twenty-minute bath at body temperature which completely relaxes your muscles is also a won- derful sleep inducer too. Avoid eating just before bed-time. The evening meal should be eaten about three or four hours before re- tiring, although warm milk or broth and a biscuit will stave off night star- vation ( which makes the stomach contract and sometimes awakes vou). Onlv very strong stomachs can cope with bread and cheese last thing at night, and it really isn't good for even a strong stomach at that time. Most women are sensitive to their environment and will benefit from tasteful sleeping quarters. Anything that suggests serenity and coolness in the summer: or warmth and coziness in the winter will help to improve the conditions under which you turn in for the ni«ht. k L air Beautiful hair may be hereditary, but far more often it depends on Kesavardhini and some care, from the nursery days, continued right through life. Lay the foundation of hair health in childhood with Kesavardhini; and let your children escape premature greyness and baldness- Just as beautiful biceps could be developed out of puny arms, trom the sparsest and most unpromising heads splendid suites of hair could be grown and cultivated with Kesavardhini. Why envy other children, when your child can grow and have beautiful hair now '1 Don't punish your child's hair, but give her ipm. Shivraj and Itharai Hliu*lian appear to be facing some grave incident in T. K. Sereen (".lassies' maiden produetion. "Batohi". TODAY AND EVERY DAY! PRESERVES, GROWS AND BEAUTIFIES HAIR Kesavardhini ... ... ... As. 14 Kesavardhini Shampoo ... ... As. 14 Postage and packing extra. From most dealers or direct from SOUTH INDIA CHEMICALS COIMBATORE. 33 VEERENDCA CHITRA/^W mom??** Bwm+iffifTtr Fjr Particulan.— VIKKNDKA CHITRA : JYOTI STUDIO, KENNEDY BRIDGE BOMBAY 7. UOHANA— A screen debutante in I trend ra I'ictures maiden production. "JagrutC produced and directed by Manohar Chatuai. Mohana. a new star rising in the film firmament has vouth. beatify and charms uhich bid fare to a good career. FAMOUS ICTURE . Gob DISTRIBUTORS * Rtmmn V'rH'l o.p.outt 1 D.D.KASHYAP Famous t 5 A N D H U R 5 THE GREATEST SCMML W7OD01/S \ yxa^y arv cm itctmveMmfmcfu.v *mwni mm *mn HELDUPBV 'ALL INDIA PICTURES' .+MfiSMKM \ ANAHT THAKliC rUQ£$ LTD P.N.ARORA BOM B A Y 7 NIRUPA ROY — Representing the ideal (,ujarnti wife in Cujnrnti and Hindi ) \irupu Roy has cine fans uith A iit Pictures' maiden hit "Gunsundari" (in endeared herself to thousands of Gujarati her innate charms. AWAITING RELEASE ASSOCIATED PICTURES' dedication — S ABYASACHI Story of India's revolution Adapted from Sarat Chandra's " PATHER DABEE" Breathing the fire of patriotism Yielding a harvest of revolutionary heroes Arousing instincts of nationalism Stirring up the glory of India's martyrs Amplifying the pangs of a nation in bondage Carving a niche in the annals of film history Holding you enthralled from beginning to end Imparting grandeur to India's Independence WITH Psresh Banerjee as APURBA Bipin Gupta as TALWARKAR AND THOUSAND OTHERS Direction: AGRADOOT Music: ROBIN CHATTERJEE ASSOCIATED PICTURES LTD. 6, OLD POST OFFICE STREET, CALCUTTA. VR REVIEW hahnaz Is Wanton Waste Of Celluloid! khoolboy Story And Amateurish Direction Turn Out A Loathsome Flop ! j Had it not been for the Indian ! m industry, the world would never | lve known that India can boast of ll brilliant story w riter of the name Begum Shaikh and a great film II rector of the name of Shaikh. It U lucky, however, that the literary ■ptivities of Begum Shaikh have ■ben confined to film-story writ- Hg only so that the torture has to be Birne by the infinitesimal number of India's vast population who pay for li or are invited to witness the film Hid we hope Shaikhs directorial tivities mav also be confined to the I irecting of "Shahnaz" alone. ' Begum Shaikh appears to be a Ireat student of Shelley. In the H/nopsis of the booklet of "Shahnaz" lie declares having "sometime ago bne through the works of that great ||nglish poet," from whom she quotes I verse, confessing, in doing so, that Hie could not remember the exact Ijording of the verse, and so is con- ftnt with giving the gist of it in her ■kvn words. Any edition of Shelley could be got at any time in Bombay had the great authoress cared to be precise in her quotation. The verse quoted in the booklet is one that any- one with a fair knowledge of English could easily compose. It all looks like a literary stunt to say that the authoress drew her inspiration from Shelley for her wonderful story, for if "Shahnaz"' is the result of such inspiration, the less Shelley is read by people the better. The story of Shahnaz is as idiotic as an Indian film story could be. Hamran and Kamran are two chiefs of two different caravans. Hamran has a son called Murad (Altaf) and a foster son called Xasir (Nihal) while Kamran has a daughter called Shahnaz (Begum Para) and a foster daughter called Gulnar (Shanta Patel). Hamran w ith his two daugh- ters and his retinue becomes the guest of Kamran and the two young men. Murad and Xasir and the two young girls, Shahnaz and Gulnar meet one another without knowing SHAHNAZ Producers: Wahab Productions Language: Hindustani Story: Begum Shaikh Dialogue: Dukhi Premnagri Music: Amir Bai Karnataki Photography : K. U. Chowdhry Art Direction: Anwar Cast: Begum Para, Altaf, Nihal, Shanta Patel, Shama Gulnar etc. Released At: Capitol Cinema, Bombay. Date of Release: 2nd July 1948. Directed By SHAIKH who is who — although the girls are the guests of the boys" father— and, of course, they fall in love — Murad with Shahnaz and Xasir w ith Gulnar. Had Murad been married to Shah- naz and Xasir to Gulnar, the picture would not have been made. But in order that Begum Shaikh could prove to the world the great glory and divi- nity of love as taught her by her great master Shelley. Murad. though deep down to his very neck in his love for Shahnaz, begins to pretend that he loved Gulnar in fact, and Shahnaz in her turn begins to show indications of being in love with Xasir. Obvi- ouslv the caravan chief Hamran was in search of suitable bridegrooms for his daughters, and seeing things de- veloping as they appeared he declar- ed his wish to give Shahnaz to Nasir and Gulnar to Murad. At the time when the announcement is made in the presence of all the members of the two caravans, only Shahnaz and Murad are absent and no one cares to call them to the assembly. In due time as they come to know of the announcement the hearts of both Shahnaz and Murad break as they must. Murad deserts his father's caravan and wanders aim- lessly, accompanied by Gulnar who follows him through his ramblings. Xasir, who goes in search of his brother, dies being thrown away by 41 Story O Dialogues: AHSAN RIZVI Production: C. AHMAD Music: GOVIND SAM rhrtlttliipllj P- ISAAC AudioKra/>h>: SOTTAN GHOSE Song Rccor Jed : B. N. SHARMA {eastern stvdws sum a»Y) F" HINDUSTAN ART PRODUCTIONS P-62A, BENTINCK STREET, CALCUTTA August, 194£ Pessi I appears staggered at something which Gita Rati is pointing out to ltli.ir.it ltliii>han in "Sohag Raat", Oriental Pictures1 production released ihroiiKh Varma Films. horse. Shahnaz becomes love Then they all go out in search of urad and the story writer is kind nough for them, for they do find urad. Naturally now, Murad and hahnaz must he married. And they re married, hut what is to he done ith Gulnar? Must she not die as asir did? She must, and. therefore e great authoress Begum Shaikh ommands a tree to fall on her and Le tree falls and Gulnar is crushed nder it. Isn't it really wonderful? Could ny inspiration coming from a mas- er less than Shelley have ever been elpful in writing this schoolboy libre trash? And would a great irector like Shaikh have ever cared o direct the picture if it had not this nique story? Definitely no. The picture begins with the march f Hamran's caravan and a chorus nd then we find Hamran meeting iran. From that moment it is a ull, monotonous affair of the meet- gs between Shahnaz and Murad, eir songs and duets, the full moon nd the river bank and all that. You ear a song practically every third ne for all of them seem to be fond singing — Shahnaz, Murad, Gulnar, asir and even the wife of Kamran. cy sing for the sake of singing on 1 occasions, alone as well as in mpany, in joy as well as in sorrow. \o artiste, not even the talented Begum Para, shows any emotion at any time throughout the picture and a courting scene is as dull and life- less and silly as a death scene. It took as many as five song writ- ers to compose the dozen songs for "Shahnaz" and still not one of the dozen songs has anything in it except the hackneyed stuff of 'Chand', 'Mu- habbat', "Dildar", Tshq", 'Qasam' FILM INDIA and 'Musibat', Amirbai Karnataki is responsible for the music of the picture which is of the type of the Gha^nl-Qaw a ali music. Herself a good songstress, she has not given any new tune, but has merely imitat- ed old popular and cheap tunes. The highly persianised Urdu dialogue is sterotvped and boring. Begum Para gives a good perfor- mance and is quite attractive with her beauty, youth and her peculiar cos- tume with too much of sex in it. Altaf fails to impress as Murad and the rest are all best let alone. The most loathsome is the mildest word that can be used for the performance of Shama Gulnar as the wife of Kamran and of the so-called comedian Mus- tafa. The picture s only relieving fea- ture is its good photography. The desert scenes are particularly plea- sant and a few shots are intelligently taken. Sound recording is erratic throughout. The Indian film industry, we are sure, will not be a hit poorer if "Shanaz"* remains the only picture of its kind and does not add to its enor- mous number of predecessors any further successors. We have our full- est sympathy for those few specta- tors who shared the two and a half hours" torture with us during its short run in Bombay. Shanta Kunwar lias an important role in "Jeene-do", Jai Hind Pictures' Maid- en production distributed by Ruby Pic tures. 43 An All Kound S4 cal Enfertaimi Suresh Pictuje EEYfih y« '.ft RATNAMALA JAWAHAR ft ft NIRMAL KUMAR ft SHANTI MADHOll j ft BABY KUSUM PRADHAN ft BIKRAM KAP O & TARA RAO. ion : VIJAY MOHAN GUPTA u±tc : N. NAGESHRAO. SURESH PI \ PARO ft NIHAL ft KHURSHID Jr. ft ALTAF ft BADRIPRASAD ft' ANWARI ft ABUBAKAR RAJA SALIM & CUCKOO. HxzcUd Cry: \ Dialogue: Kidar Sharma Music: Snehal Photography: D. C. Mehta & 2 others Audiography: M. C. Thakkar Cast: Begum Para, Bha- rat Bhushan, Geeta Bali, Pessi Patel etc. Released At : Excelsior & Lamington, Bombay Date of Release: 25th June 1948. Directed Bv KIDAR SHARMA lanorama is pleased with Wasti's -rift in spite of the stick under his arm in "Chunaria". Kuldip Picture*" Forthcoming social. The story has plenty of melodra- matic padding— the dying mother, the greedy and cruel-hearted step- brother, the goofy, trusting younger brother, and the soft-hearted convict who cannot carry out his murderous assignment because at the last mo- ment the would-be victim innocently asks, "Have you any children. Jagu?" and this re-awakens the paternal, hu- man instincts in the savage breast. Also there are any number of coinci- dences and accidents. — for instance, who could be the charming Kamo but the hideous convict's long-sepa- rated daughter? Basically, however, it is the good old story of two girls (Geeta Bali and Begum Para I w ho are friends though one is rich and the other poor, falling in love with the same boy (though it is hard to be- lieve that even one girl would fall in love with the unmanly, spineless goof that Bharat Bhushan is made to look in this picture I. Since polyandry has gone out of fashion since the days of the Pandavas and now the Congress reformers do not tolerate even polygamy (except unofficial lv ) . in such triangular love stories, one of the three has to sacrifice. Both girls cannot get the boy. So the poor girl must die. leaving the field to her rich rival who is presumed to "live hap- pily ever after — which, again, is un- likely in the case of a hefty Amazon like Begum Para and a delicate 'softy" like Bharat Bhushan. (But those who know Kulu. the locale of the picture, assert that the situation is most realistic and that is why men 51 — ■ h DELHI is delirious MYSORE is mirthquaked BANGALORE is blitzed and now BOMBAY awaits its barrage with the bombshell of hilarity "KHIDKI" THE JUBILEE PICTURE- WHICH DRAWS & LEAVES CROWDS JUBILANT! Written, Produced & Directed by SANTOSHI I The greatest "It "-Maker and " Hit" -Maker of the day! Starring : REHANA with V. H. DESAI, LEELA MISRfi, MUMTAZ ALT, JAWAHAR KAUL, RADHAKISHEN and a battalion of "buck- up" boys and sweet -and - sixteens ! Music Photography C. RAMCHANDRA CHANDU . ARVIND & ANAND 361, Vithalbhai Patel Road, BOMBAY, 4. ~Te t tito zla I ?2i(jk t5 : Delhi, U. P, E. P: JAG AT TALKIE DISTRIBUTORS. C P. & C. I: KALYAN PICTURES LTD. Bengal: AMBIKA FILM EXCHANGE. Scuth : L S. IYER. Pakistan & Overseas: DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. ugust, 1948 FILMIND1A e to go to Kulu for a holiday and men don't) . KULU OR KANDIVLI? By giving his story the new and • ;turesque location of Kulu. Kidar \arma saved it from becoming bor- :dy familiar. Even the costumes irn by the characters have a certain imatic quality and there is ever ;sent a suggestion of hilly hardi- iss which vitalizes the story deve- )ment and somewhat justifies the my inconsistencies and incongrui- s. I Incidentally, the Kulu cos- nes did not give Kidar much • ance for exhibiting female ana- nv — and it is good that it was so ! ) One only wishes, once he had hit ion Kulu for the location of his »'ry, Kidar Sharma had actually (tie there and shot the exteriors jiidst the authentic natural sur- undings of far-famed Kulu. It ''tild have lent additional colour to I* film. As it is, with all the tricky lv angles that Kidar's cameraman Is tried, one cannot but recognise I: patently obvious pigmy hills of lmbay*s suburbs. It is a glaring consistency that repeatedly hits one i the eye. BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY It is all t he more unfortunate be- Jjse, otherwise, the exteriors have *n beautifully shot with an eye for Atorial composition. Unusual an- I'S, cloud backgrounds, picturesque Irves of land, have all been fully uloited. For this the director and jpieraman must equally share cre- |. In this respect Kidar has defi- lely kept up his artistic reputation. ■Artistic sensibility is also revealed I certain tw ists of the scenario — as I' instance, in the emotional use |.de of the folk song. "Lakhi Bubal mray " which Kamo's father Igs twice in such grimly altered Icumstances ; or, again, the misun- Irstanding created in the scene ■ere the two girls, on either side of (Kail that is symbolic, and unknown leach other, listen to the boy's de- ■ration of love and each reacts ac- Irdingly. Kidar Sharma's pen does fcasionally give flashes of intelli- »ice. But. after the tale is told Id the picture is seen, one asks: To ■ at end? For what purpose? For, Widamentally. the whole thing lacks emotional profundity as much as artistic coherence, psychological in- sight as much as social significance. INTRODUCING GEETA BALI Y\ hen the booklet of "Sohag Raat" says: ''The company presents Begum Para and Bharat Bhushan and intro- duces A new Talent Geeta Bali"', it is wrong English but correct statement of fact. Geeta Bali may not BE "a talent" but she definitely HAS talent which even overcomes plain features and a pug nose. More than even talent in this picture she reveals a personality in which naivette, charm and a boyish vivacity are all mixed. That all these qualities were latent in her is true; Kidar Sharma could not have invented them. But it is equal- ly true that by giving her a role that fitted her personality and then pro- viding her appropriate situations, the director-writer has brought out that personality. Those who saw her in extra roles in some obscure Lahore- made pictures are truly and agree- ably surprised. It may truly be said that Kidar Sharma has not only dis- covered but made a star. Not only Geeta Bali herself but the role that she plays — Kamo. the unso- phisticated daughter of the hills, who is strong enough to carry an uncon- scious man on her back but has a soft, loving heart within a rough ex- terior— is the highlight of the pic- ture. The partiality of the director for the artiste as well as the charac- ter is fairly obvious and wherever necessary other characters and artis- tes have been sacrificed to "build up" Kamo — and Geeta Bali! This, unfortunately carried to excess, has made the picture somewhat lop-sided — after all one character alone can seldom carry the entire burden of a story. As a result of the camera em- phasis on Geeta, Begum Para has little to do and she does it badly. This reviewer has given up hope of ever seeing genuine emotion on her hard, though undoubtedly beautiful, features. Bharat Bhushan, as the bone of contention, has been given a static role which becomes duller still by his soft, other-worldly look. He keeps one constantly wondering how two attractive girls like Para and Geeta can be so foolish as to bother about him. But then Kidar Sharma. striking his philosophical pose, can retort. "Love is blind". In this case it is! The surprise performance of the picture comes from old-trouper Pessi Patel whom I mistook for Gyani — and that is meant as a compliment. Thanks to Geeta Bali's refreshing debut. '"Sohag Raat" may be a fairly good box-office success. If it had better music, it might have been a hit. For Territorial Bights Apply;— GIPTA PICTURES* CHANDNI CHOWK, DELHI. )UR REVIEW "Shravan Kumar" Is a Veritable Headache Stupid Story, Bad Direction And Insipid Performance Combine To Make A Hopeless Mess! There is no mention of Shravan s ame anywhere in the Rumayana of le poet Valmiki. from which the lopular legend of Shravan is suppo- ed to have originated. King Dasha- ath of Ayodhya in his dying mo- nents merely mentions how an un- nown ascetic was inadvertently kill- d by him being mistaken for an ani- lal. Dasharath did not know bis iame or his whereabouts but the as- etic told him that he was the son of Vaishya (trader) father by Shu- 'ri I low class I mother. That is all lat the author of Ramayana has to ell about the so-called Shravan. The popular story of Shravan. herefore. is a mere legend without my foundation in the great epic of /almiki. His exemplary devotion .lid attachment to his blind parents, lis great physical feat of bearing poth the parents on his shoulders in n improvised balance called "ka- ar" (such as is used by Bombay milkmen to carry their milkpotsi and taking them round the country to various places of pilgrimage are apparently the product of someone's fertile imagination. And since some one could ima- gine certain things about this legen- dary man. who can prevent story writer K. S. Daryani from imagining that Shravan s father was a king of some province, that he had practi- sed penance for obtaining a son. that he was gi\en a boon and a curse simultaneously as a reward for his penance, namely that he would have a son but he would lose his eyesight land his wife would lose hers I on the birth of his son, and all the other things that are there in the picture? Hindu mythology, like an orphaned child, i.- nobody's property and not only Hindus but all others are at full liberty to revise, modify, alter or distort mvthological tales as they like for their stage plays and film.-. There is not a -ingle responsible in- stitution of the Hindus anywhere in 7: Mubarak as the Vaishnavite de\otee i* having a good massage from LachilU Maliaruj in Bhagwati Production*' forthcoming social) "l{c\aj". SHRAVAN KUMAR Producers: Mtirli Movietone Language: Hindustani Story: K. S. Daryani Songs & Dialogue: Walli Sahib Music: Bulo C. Raney Photographv : Gordhanbhai Patel Audiography: C. K. Trivedi Cast : Mumtaz Shanti, Pa- ha ri Sanyal, Chan- dra Mohan, Menka, K. C. Dey etc. Released At: Central Cinema, Bombay. Date of Release: 2nd July 1948. Directed Bv RAM DARYANI the world which can raise even a faint voice against this commercial exploitation and awful distortion of their sacred heritage. So if story writer K. S. Daryani wants to create from his imagination a city called Kanchanpur and a princess of that city and wants her to be married to the ascetic Shravan and all those things that go to make the story of his picture a stupid nursery tale bad enough even for intelligent children we have helplessly to suffer it in silence. Daryani has proved himself one better than Mohanlal G. Dave who has to his credit the blatant dis- tortion of scores of mythological stories. Nothing is more boring to an in- telligent picturegoer now than the frequent appearance of Bhagwan on the screen and his constant meddling with human affairs which, really, is unknown to the modern world. '"Shravan Kumar" seems like more a story of the gods than of human beings, since Bhagwan Vishnu, his wife Laxmi and the sage Narada are shown therein as hatching a sort of conspiracy iti heaven to harass Shra- van and his parents on earth. \\ hat a Vishnu, and a Laxmi and a Narada we see in the picture! \\ hat beautiful descriptions do we read in the sacred books of the Hin- dus of these celestial deities, demi- gods and goddesses! And how do they look on the screen! Will the censors who object to so many harmless 55 FILMINDI A August, 1* Recruit Naraindas G. Bndhrani c|o Rangoon Stores, 248, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Poona 1, is 20, 5'-9" loves acting and singing, has played major roles in school dramatics and can speak Sindhi and Hindi. things in our pictures, never think of preventing this hideous perversion of those ethereal superhumans whom hundreds of millions of Hindus ima- gine to be so divine, so glamorous and so venerable? The picture is a hopeless conglo- meration of bad acting, bad dire- ction and too much of the Bhagwan in it. Its only relieving feature is a few good photographic shots. It has not even one good song to lighten its boredom. Mumtaz Shanti and Pahari Sanyal, both good artistes who have to thsir credit fine performances in several pictures, appear throughout this mess to be out of their element and their work is utterly unconvincing and unworthy of their reputation. Even the veteran Chandramohan fails to impress in the role of Dasharath as a result of Ram Daryanfs bad direction. The comic pair Gope and Gulab give a performance intended to make the audience laugh but it makes one only swear at them. The dialogue by Walli Sahib is tame and insipid, and so are the songs. There is nothing to mention about the music either. With a very good singer like K. C. Dey playing the blind old man, one would expect some songs from him. The only song that comes from him. however, is at a time when no human being with any- thing like a heart in him would be in a mood to sing. K. C. Dey bursts into a song immediately on hearing the news of the tragic death of Shravan"s wife and Shravan, like an idiot, with a blank face void of any human emotion, just stands lis- tening to his father's fine musical performance ! It is time now the Indian produ- cers learnt to spare poor Br wan from their pictures. He no er impresses anyone except the ij terate and the superstitious folk, way he is presented. The seve miracles that have been shown in picture only add to its worthlessnj and help to make it a losing propc tion for the distributor and the ex| bitor and a headache to the intei gent spectator. DIRECTED BY MANIBHAI WAS 2ND MONTH at M 3 J I* E it t A is AJIT Release 56 R REVIEW Mulaqat" Is Yet Another "Boy-Meets- I Girl" Picture Unconvincing Story With Good Performance By Old Artistes One ore boy-meets-girl picture, is laqat, a muslim social of the usual ttern. t deals with the story of a young man. Saeeda, and a young ool master, Nasir, son of a irer. who start having fond feel- 's for each other from the moment v meet in a street deserted of all ler pedestrians and traffic, at a late jr in the night, by sheer accident, e school master naturally tries to k further contact with the girl, but er her father s death, the girl, ill- ated by her uncle and aunt, goes with an intention probably to nmit suicide by throwing herself ler a local train on some Bombay turban railway track. Here a wab, a distant relative of the girl, identally arrives just in the nick time to save the girl and takes to his princely mansion where girl is being kept and treated ht royally. Tie Nawab has a daughter who is pupil of that same school master a son who is a vagabond and a nkard whom the Nawab has dis- led. Through the Nawab's dau- er, Shaukat, contact between eda and Nasir is revived and develops in due course between two. Before they could be ried. however, the Nawab's son qaram comes back home, pretends ntance for his bad ways of life, mises to become a better man is readmitted by the Nawab in household. He starts making love taeeda and one day the Nawab ally asks Saeeda's consent to her riage with her son. Being under it obligation to the Nawab. ;da cannot refuse the offer, and lot declare her love for Nasir. marriage is arranged and is ally about to take place when, an arranged by Mumtaz Ali. the natic actor and dancer. Muqa- is identified as a suspect for the der, while Nasir who is previ- y arrested for it and who even ded himself guilty, is released M ULAQAT Producers: Taj Mahal Pictures Ltd. Language: Hindustani Screenplay & Dial ogue: Munshi Dill Music: Khemchand Parakash Songs: Qaniar Jalalabadi & Munshi Dill Photography: Anwar Pabani Audiography : Anant Thakur Cast: Naseem Bano, Prem Adib, Mumtaz Ali, Rama Shukul, Ma- jeed, Shah Nawaz etc. Released At: Super Talkies, Bombay Date of Release: 11th June 1948 Directed Bv MUNSHI DILL by the police, and the Nawab sub- stitutes his son Muqaram bv Nasir as the bridegroom. Saeeda and Nasir are married and that brings an end to the picture. The picture has a good beginning but its later development is hackney- ed and unnatural and the denouement absolutely absurd. Obstacles in the way of Nasir and Saida have been created by the story writer merely in order to heighten the suspense, but they fail to be convincing. And the means invented for doing away with the biggest obstacle. Muqaram. are illogical and impossible. But the In- dian picture audience has only to swallow what the story writer thinks and we all know that in Indian film stories anything can happen. With such poor story, however, the picture has been made quite tole- rable with good direction, good per- formance by clever artistes like Naseem. Shah Nawaz. Prem Adib. Mumtaz Ali and Rama Shukul and crisp and witty dialogue. Technically the picture is as good a production as any other and a few good popular tunes with a special appeal to the Recruit J. N. Chand, c o Post Box No. 10, Ootacamund is 22, 5'-8", can speak Hindustani and can also sing. Muslim audience provide altogether fairly good music. Naseem in the role of Saeeda is the picture's main attraction. She plays the role with her usual grace though she appears to have lost much of her old glamour and personal charms. Prem Adib as Nasir is quite good, while Rama Shukul perfectly fits in with the villain's role and makes a veritable vagabond. Shah Nawaz as the Nawab is yet another artiste who acquits himself quite nicely, being a character-actor of commendable apti- tude for any role entrusted to him. Mumtaz Ali is the usual dancer and gives his usual dances, this time with a partner who has neither good looks nor much dancing art. As a Muslim social, the picture is. as usual, characteristically devoid of anything non-Muslim, and even in a place like Bombay where the story is apparently located, one does not find a single non-Muslim anywhere throughout the picture — not even in the big gathering of guests at the wedding. This is a peculiarity of Muslim producers and directors who already presume they are living in a world entirely populated by Mus- lims even in Bombay where they form but a minor portion of the big population. It is a good picture, altogether, for Muslim audience and depicting as it does some of the finer aspects of Muslim social life, it may also be liked by non-Muslims for the good performance of the artistes and clean technique. 57 fj . . . tliv most terrifying words a man ever whispered to a woman! P. S. AMAH ActtneL tfie cast of the year intke picture of the year ! JVOTt • AMARNATH • SUNOAR • TANDON... \B/A\/A\ID Q)l4eetu^.. £*™ ****** CONTACT:— SHREE AMAR PICTURES 5/2 Garstin Place, CALCUTTA, I. AT HOME AND ABROAD ANOTHER FILM STAR HUMBUG Bombay, June 25. Yet one more of the clan of Ma- mie Kishori and Anvar and Ismat iltanas, Sita Kumari by name, who scribed herself as a dancer and m star was arrested by the Vigi- nce Branch today on the charge of rrying on clandestine business in x. The Police employed their usual ethod of the "bogus customer" in der to trap her at her flat in a lilding on the Churchgate Recla- ation. On being arrested, this so- iled film star started some real act- g, began jumping about, beating •r chest, banging her head on the >or and ending it all up with a ab wound in her abdomen which lis necessitated her detention in a i>spital. Being put up before the lief Presidency Magistrate, Sita umari with her two accomplices as enlarged on bail. BEERY IN PLANE CRASH Washington, June 27. I A United Airlines plane crashed flames near Mount Carmel, Pen- . lvania, U. S. on June 17. Forty- ne persons are believed to have ;en killed. Earl Carrol, the famous eatrical manager. Mrs. Jack Oakie. vorced wife of the film comedian, lid Wallace Beerv the well known film artiste were among these forty- one presumed to have been killed. ANOTHER THEATRE GUTTED Karachi, June 29. The Imperial Cinema on the Bun- der Road in Karachi was gutted by a disastrous fire which broke out in the early hours of this morning. This is the second cinema fire in Karachi during the last two months. WHAT FILM WAS IT? Sydney, July 4. The Government of India's film production, "Mahatma The Immor- tal ' was recently screened in Can- berra, Capital of Australia. The screening was attended by diplomats, high government oflicials and others. THOU SHALT NOT SMOKE Ahmedabad, July 4. Police arrested 50 persons during the last two days for contravention of the order prohibiting smoking in cinema house. They were produced before the third additional City Ma- gistrate who fined them rupees three each, giving warning of a heavier sentence if the offence was repeated. OLYMPIAD FILMED IN COLOUR London, July 4. Within three weeks of the closing ceremony of August 14 all the thrills i»ri - Chirkov and V. Merkurier in "Glinka", a Russian film to be released through Diamond Pictures, Ltd. and colour of the 61-nation Olym- piad will be imparted to all lovers of sport the world over through the giant technicolour film, "The Glory of Sport". This will be a 12-reel colour pic- ture for which the Arthur Rank Or- ganisation has paid 25,000 pounds for the exclusive rights. The film will provide a complete pictorial his- tory of the fourteenth Olympiad covering all events from the opening ceremony from Wembley to the yachting at Torquay. One million feet of specially pre- pared technicolour film has been sent from New York. Twenty tech- nicians are now preparing the ca- meras and testing special lenses with which they will capture the speed and thrill of the 17 different sport- ing events. Elaborate calculations have been made to get the best van- tage points and special aluminium light weight towers, 25 feet high, are being constructed on mobile plat- forms. Steel constructed pits are also being sunk into the ground to get "worm's eye" view. Each ver- sion sent abroad will give promi- nence to the country concerned with special commentaries translated into 16 different languages. NEW IMPPA EXECUTIVE Bombayr, June 29. The tenth annual general meeting of the members of the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association was held yesterday evening. During his farewell speech Mr. C. J. Desai, the retiring president, made a reference to certain Police Court reports pub- lished in the Press in which persons alleged to be connected with the film industry were involved. The following members were elected to form the new executive committee: Mr. Chandulal J. Shah (President). Mr. Chuni Lall (Vice- President). Mr. M. A. Mughni (Hon. Treasurer). Messrs. C. J. Desai, C. D. Desai, Harish, J. B. H. Wadia, M. Bhavnani. V. Shantaram, K. M. Multani, Mehboob R. Khan, Tara- chand, K. B. Lall. K. M. Modi and R. C. Pandya. "PICTUREGOER" QUOTES "FILMINDIA" London, June 29. The British film magazine, "Pic- turegoer" in its issue dated 19th June quotes some extracts from 59 FILMINDI A August, 194 "filmindias" editorial of the issue of April, captioned "Don't Murder the Mahatma Again"' and adds. "This is the plea made by our con- temporary "filmindia" and should be taken to heart by those American companies flirting with the idea of making a life story of Mahatma Gandhi". After quoting some extracts from the editorial, the "Picturegoer" con- cludes its editorial note with the words, "Hollywood, please note." CINE EMPLOYEES' STRIKE Madras, July 5. About seven hundred workers of the five cinema studios in the city have gone on a strike from today de- manding increased dearness allow- ance and better conditions of ser- vice. Six strikers are on hunger- strike since this morning, each one of them in front of the five studios concerned and the sixth one in front of the office of the Labour Commis- sioner. INDIAN PRODUCERS, NOTE Berlin, June 5. The draft of a voluntary motion picture production code, patterned closely after the American version, now is being circulated among Ger- man film producers and other inte- rested parties. Kamal Mitter as Sabyasachi, Sandhya Rani as Bharati and Mira Misra al Sumitra in Associated Pictures' Hindi Film, "Sabyasachi" shortly to be releasee Entitled "Voluntary Code for the German Film Industry" (A Draft) the 15-page booklet is based on the premise that no films should be pro- duced which tend to lower the moral level of the patron or which might be instrumental for fostering an atti- tude of disregard for the laws of na- It is not Sir Chunilal B. Mehta scolding a junior clerk but Bipin Gupta as Tal- w;irkar talking to Parc*h liancrji in "Sabyasachi" Associated Pictures' Hindi film from Saral Chatterji'B novel, "Pather Dabi". 60 tural and human rights or arous sympathy for their violation. A preamble explains the natura rights to be those which are writtei into the heart of humanity as pre scribed by justice and conscience Human right is defined as the righ guaranteed in the law books. The code is written to conforn with European standards and i: broken up into various sections in eluding Crime, Questions of Mora lity, Vulgarism, Costuming. Rel gion, National Feelings, Dancing. Re pulsive Themes and Advertising. CHARITABLE FILM STARS Calcutta, July 4. Film star Kanan Devi has donatec an amount of Rs. 50.000 to the Can cer Department of the Chitta Ranjan Seva Sadan. Two other film star-, Bharati and Amar Mullick have' also donated Rs. 25,000 each to the' same cause. PEACE BE TO HER SOUL Hollywood, July 6, Carole Landis. four times married and thrice divorced movie actress, was found dead in her luxurious Brentwood home yesterday. Police says she apparently committed sui- cide by taking an overdose of sleep- ing tablets. August, 1948 FILM INDIA The 29-year-old blonde actress was found dead by her maid who sum- moned the police. Her most recent marriage was to Horace Schmidlapp, wealthy movie and stage producer. She had filed a suit for divorce against Schmidlapp last March, but later gave up the action. Miss Landis never quite achieved stardom, but she appeared in many bictures after being featured in the role of the cave woman in "One Mil- ion B.C." in 1940. Her popularity had dwindled during the past 18 months. SABITA DEVI IN LAW SUIT Bombay. July 16. I Iris M. Gasper, better known as pabita Devi, the Indian film star was 'he plaintiff in a law suit against the National Studios. Ltd.. claiming Rs. 4000 as arrears of two months* [alary and Bs. 6000 as damages for [vrongful termination of her agree- nent of employment, which ended in . compromise between the parties. I The Court passed a decree for the .laintiff for Bs. 7000 for the claim nd Bs. 1250 for costs payable by jertain instalments. INSTRUCTIVE DOCUMENTARY London, July 12. i Directed by Geoffrey Innes. a 60- ninute film produced by the Crown lilm Unit should be of great interest > those concerned with the treatment If infantile paralysis. I A short film on the same subject Uas rather hurriedly made during le 1947 epidemic in Britain and I"oved of great value to the 17000 Inctors and 16000 nurses who saw it 1st September. The present produc- Im is much more detailed. After scribing the disease, it deals fully th early diagnosis in the home and jmmon tvpes of the disease as seen U the hospital and concludes with a Hry instructive section on re-educa- ■•n and occupational therapy. ■The main subject is the case of a lung adult, who, after treatment, is lie to return to work through the (operation of the hospital almoner mi the resettlement officer of the f ni>try of Labour. PURITANS' PROGRESS Bombay, July 21. Smoking has been prohibited in cinema houses in Bombay City, ex- cept on the stage as part of a per- formance, by an order issued by the Commissioner of Police, Bombay. The order was issued under in- structions from the Government of Bombay who considered smoking in- side theatres "harmful to public health."' The order has been issued under the "Bules for Keeping of Places of Public Amusement," framed under the Bombay City Police Act. Non-observance of the order would be a cognizable offence if com- mitted in the presence of a police officer and would be punishable with a maximum fine of Bs. 100. BETTER FOR STUDIOS M.R.414 SENIOR Equipped with Mole. Richardson light- ing units, your studio can depend on quality turnout every time you make a picture. Along side is M. R. 4 1 4 Senior Solar-spot 5000-Watt lamp, the largest in the Mole-Richardson series and is particu- larly adapted to back-lighting. Below is the Midget M-R 404, a small lamp with a definite place in the illumination system. M-R 21 is Single Side Lamp for soft, dif- fused lighting. FAZALBHOY LIMITED,, C/flotiM ffictUW mbay) "Aag" the maiden production of his concern, produced and directed ,- Raj Kapoor and starring besides | aj himself, \argis and Kamini laushal, is scheduled for release at l.e local Opera House on the 13th r the current month. I Meanwhile, the paper work of the |;xt production, entitled "Barsat" living been completed, it is expected I go on the sets very soon. The l.cture features Xargis and Raj lapoor in the title roles with Prem ath. It will also be directed by Raj lapoor. AMOUS PICTURES LTD. ^Bombay) ["Pyar-ki-Jeet" stiining Suraiya, lanorama and Rehman, directed by I. P. Datta is ready for release. All- lidia Pictures" social "Pugree", star- ing Kamini Kaushal, Shashikala lid Wasti is neaiing completion, [essrs. Kirti Pictures are producing Lati Soan"' in Gujarati at the limous Studios, which is being Irected by Chaturbhuj Doshi and Ivlaza Ram'' in Marathi, directed by lida Gunjal. l"Bapu ki Amar Kahani' *-a one- fleler on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. I now completed. Producer Kashyap B busy preparing the script of his xt picture which is expected to Ike the floors during the current [onth. He will also direct the pic- re. Iational theatres m Bombay) ■This is a new producing concern, lated by K. Asif, now a producer, lis first production is entitled "Hal- la!" starring Nargis, Dilip Kumar Id Sitara which will be directed by [jr. Ojha. The actual shooting is ex- acted to commence by the middle of ligust. LMISTAIN LTD. (Bombay) What thev call their 'first film of |e Freedom Era', "Shaheed", is now the screen of the Roxy. Three ILre pictures are now under produc- tion at the studios, viz. "Lalloo, B. A." starring a new-comer, Hafeez Jehan, a society lady and wife of an I.C.S. Officer, with Rehman and Veera ; "_\adiya-ke-Par", another Kishore Sahu production, also direct- ed by him and starring Kamini Kau- shal with Dilip Kumar and "Actress" directed by X?.jam Naqvi from a story by K. A. Abbas, starring Reh- ana, Prem Adib and Meena. SURESH FILM DISTRIBUTORS (Bombay) Two picures in Gujarati language, both socials, entitled "'Chubdadi'" and 'Lakho Fulani' are under production. Motibai and Natvarlal play the title roles in the first which is directed by Amritlal Thakur from a story by Karsondas Manek. The other one, produced under the banner of Jayant Kala Chitra is being directed by M. C. Chuniwala from a story by Vijay Bhatt of the Prakash Film Co. Two Hindi stunt pictures are also in progress, one entitled "Rangilla Jasus" — a Havewala production and another under the banner of Santosh Pictures. Blue Art Pictures' ""fayal ' is already completed and their next production is tentatively named "Teer". Girdhar Bahar Productions' "Goolnar" is also completed. I nder the banner of Bina Pictures they in- tend starting shortly a Hindi Picture called "Kheti"' with the co-operation of G.A. Thakur. DIAMOND PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) "Anyaya ', their maiden produc- tion will shortly be on the screen. This picture has been produced out of some cullings from old Bombay Talkies' pictures, starring Devika Rani, without her having actually to act on the sets. The firm has secured distribution rights for India. Burma. Ceylon and Pakistan for the Russian picture "Glinka", a biographical film of the great Russian composer of that name. It is expected to be shortly released at Bombay and other cities with suit- able sub-titles in Enslish. In Allied Arl Productions' maiden picture, "Gajre", Motilal tries to road Suraiya's heart through her pulse. 65 FILMINDIA T. K. SCREEN CLASSICS (Bombay) Producer-Director Kumar Menon is now negotiating distribution ar- rangements for the company's maid- en picture, "Batohi", which, as he says, is an entertaining ideological play. He is also busy at the same time with the scenario of his next dance musical "Niloufer" starring Bharat Bhushan. Some experts have been engaged to compose dances for the picture. RUBY PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) This new firm of disributors has secured world distribution rights of "Duniyadari" directed by K. Advani. They already possess world distribu- tion rights for the other pictures financed by them, namely, "Jeene- Do", "Dilwale" and "Jungle-Ki- Pukar", and Gita Pictures' "Dhan- wale" produced by Ramesh Vyas and directed by Ramanlal Desai, starring Husna, Bamesh Vyas and Veena Kohili. MOHAN PICTURES (Bombay) These well known stunt-producers have started two more stunt pictures, "Hind-Mail" starring Prakash and Amir Karnataki, directed by Nanu- bhai Vakil and "Policewali" starring Anil Kumar, Husnara and directed by A. M. Khan. The shooting is speedily progressing at their Andheri studios and both the pictures are ex- pected to be completed by the middle of August. BHOOMARADDI PRODUCTIONS (Bombay) 'Mandir', their maiden production, starring Shanta Apte and Shahu Modak and directed by the late Winayak is now definitely booked for release at the local Swastik by the end of September. Its all-India pre- miere is scheduled to take place at Calcutta about the middle of the cur- rent month. JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) Their maiden Hindustani picture "Veena" was released at two theatres, Novelty and Regal, in Delhi on the 9th of July and was seen by H. E. C. Rajagopalachariar, the Governor-Ge- neral, on the 11th. The studio exe- cutives are now busy with the paper work of their next production. August, 19| AKASH CHITRA (Bombay) Producer-Director K. B. Lall almost completed his first pict "Lai Dupatta" under the banner) „ this concern. It stars Madhu B< Ran jit Kumari, Sapru, Raj an Ullhas. Kesari plays the comic rj in the picture which is awaiting ea release. SHREE RANJIT MOVIETON1 CO. (Bombay) "Bichhade Balam" starring Kh shid (Jr.) and Anjum is now runnij at the local Imperial. "Jai Hai man", a mythological, starri Nirupa Roy and S. N. Tripathi shortly be completed by direc Ramchandra Thakur while direct Taimur Behramshaw is progressil with his musical comedy "Bhc Bhoolaiya" starring Agha Jan a] Laila. Prahlad Dutt has complet "Mittie-Ke-Khilaune" starring Nig and Karan Diwan and is expecting] start shooting soon of his next assi<; ment. "Kaun Hamara", "Lakhc Mein-Ek", "Duniya-Ek-Sarai" aij "Pardesi Maheman" are awaiting lease. GITA PICTURES pteient tzStaxxincj : — HUSNA, RAMESH VYAS, VINA KOHILI, KESARI, RAMLAL GHOSH, DEWASKAR & Many Others. 2w*y M. R. Bhakhri and it is being lirected by Ravindra Dave with Ma- lOrama and Y\ asti in the leading -oles. ASSOCIATED PICTURES (Cal- • ut la) ! "Sabyaschi", produced from Sarat lhandra Chatterji's famous novel 'Pallier Dabi" is the name of this lompanv s forthcoming picture un- folding the idealism of the hero of [he novel and his band of revolution- [tries. The cast of the picture includes Kama] Mitra, Mira Misra, Paresh panerji and Bipin Gupta. It has neen directed by Agardoot. BHREE AIV1AR PICTURES 'Calcutta) I "Shadi-Ke-Baad" is the name of kheir maiden picture produced l>v K. h. Amar and directed by Fran Mehra tckoo more dangerous than ever fore in an exquisite dance number "Apni Chhaya" written, directed produced l>> Santoshi for Chitra- lava Ltd. and Buloo Mehra. Dialogue is writ- ten by Kavish, lyrics by Rangeen and music by K. P. Sen. Jyoti and Amar- nath lead the cast of the picture which is now in the editing room. GUPTA ART PRODUCTIONS (Delhi) Their first picture, "Ek Roz" star- ring Al Nasir, Nasrin, Ajmal and Asha Posley is now complete. It is a romantic socio-lv rical picture. CHITRALAYA LTD. (Bombay) The company's maiden picture, "Apni Chhaya". directed by Santoshi is fast nearing completion at the Bombay Talkies' studios. Its cast is headed by Sulochana Chatterji and Balwant Singh and music is entrusted to some well known music directors. The story for the picture was also written by Santoshi. HINDUSTAN ART PRODUCTIONS (Calcutta) Directed by S. Shamsuddin and starring Yakub, Munawar Sultana. Jyoti and others, "Nisbet ". the com- pany's forthcoming picture is now being edited by the director. The photography of the picture is the work of cameraman P. Isaac. ARV IND AND ANAND ( Bom- bay) Their maiden picture, "Khidki", written, produced and directed by Santoshi is running at Bangalore. Mysore and Delhi and reported to be doing good business. It is expected to be released at several other sta- tions during the course of the cur- rent month, including Bombay at a prominent picture-house. ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS LTD. (Bombay) "Gajre", the company's maiden picture is progressing rapidly with a cast of reputed artistes like Suraiya. Motilal, Gita Nizami and Sankatha Prasad. G. S. Nepali wrote the lyrics for the picture and Anil Biswas is directing the music. R. D. Mathur is directing as well as photographing "Gajre"' for which Khaqan Husain wrote the story and screenplay. Their next pictures are (1) "Har Singhar*', written and directed bv Mahesh Kaul and (2) "Ittefaq directed and photographed by R. D. Mathur. SUPER TEAM FEDERAL PRO- DUCTIONS (Bombay) "Meri Kahani", their maiden pro- FILMINDI A Recruit Jeel Singh of °, Rest Camp, Dehra Dun, is 18, 5'-6", a matriculate who can sing and speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjahi. duction, starring Surendra and Munawar Sultana is now completed by director Keki Mistri. who also photographed the picture. Waheed Qureshi wrote the dialogue and Y\ az- ahat Mirza the songs for the picture. Music was directed by K. Dutta l Koregaonker ). THE SCREENS (Bombay) This enterprising distributing con- cern has acquired the distribution rights of Gemini Studios" "Chandra- lekha' iti Hindi which is reported to be a grand success in Tamil. The Hindi version is now nearing comple- tion. Agha Jani Kashmiri. Pandit India and Bharat Vyas are responsi- ble for the dialogue and songs of the Hindi version. VIRENDRA CHITRA (Bombay) Their maiden picture. '"Jagruti ". directed by Manohar Ghatwai and starring Rav ikant and Mohana is pro- gressing speedily and expected to be ready for release in a short time. PARKER FILMS (Bombay) "Basant Panchami", this com- pany's maiden social, written and produced by Prof. Parker and star- ring Khurshid (Jr.) with Altaf is progressing fast in production. Zaheer Kashmiri has composed songs for the picture and Pandit Girish wrote the screenplay and dialogue. 6" OC5 (This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one cat\ write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letteii published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. 5/J| Letters should be signed and marked " Hoes And Echoes' Photographs of the readers will be published along with theii letters, if convenient. — The Editor. I A JOB FOR V. P. MENON "Being fully aware of the stand taken by you, in bettering the lot of the Indian movie-goer, I wish to draw your attention to the follow- ing facts. '"Bhopal State, comprising of a very large number of regular film- goers, can boast of but one picture- house, the Bhopal Talkies. This theatre, which is run entirely on pecuniary motives, is believed to have acquired from the Government of Bhopal a monopoly as the sole exhibitors in the State for a period of twenty-five years. 'The Government of Bhopal has Minted a deaf ear to several repre- sentations and requests made, by en- thusiastic exhibitors for the building of newer and modern picture hou- ses in the State. This has gone a long way in helping the manage- ment of the Bhopal Talkies to adopt a dominating and bossy attitude to- wards the common film-goer. No film-goers, particularly those wish- ing to buy a ticket for the higher classes, could freely go to the book- ing office and Expect to get a seat even though it is quite evident that several seats are yet to be occupied. The management makes one believe that the hall has already been re- served, and that seats would be available only if certain parties fail to turn up. These parties are none other than those closely connected with the management, their friends and relatives. The less said of the sanitary con- ditions of this theatre the better, for to say that the place is dirty, would be a grave understatement. And this is no fault of the Bhopal Tal- kies, for they are not one bit threat- ened with any competition emanating from a rival exhibitor and as such they are confident of their security. "Whither Bhopal?" BHOPAL STATE E. Z. Ore}. MALIK'S BUSINESS "In one of the issues of "film- india" during the year 1946-47 there was an advertisement from Malik Productions Bombay. In this, the said producers had under the publicity of '•Chalte Chalte", announced a cash reward of Rs. 2U0|- to the person who would suggest a most appropriate name for a newly found female artiste whose photo was also given therein. From Madras I too had suggested a few names. Now I find lhat the name selected for the said artiste is the name suggested by me, hence I am entitled to the announced reward of Rs. 200|- which I have not recei- ved as yet. It was also stated that the results of this reward would be announced in "filmindia" which I never saw." BOMBAY. C. P. Dixit. (This announcement was never published in "filmindia". You may have read it elsewhere. Ask Malik about it anyway. — Ed.) A CRY IN WILDERNESS "Today in India we find a lot of films which are either romantic, his- torical or musical, but I have not seen a single film which gives one educa- tion or knowledge. In many films, people are taught to rob, steal or murder in darkness or in broad day- light, but we arc not shown any pic- ture giving us ideas how to impr ourselves, our families, our villa and towns to live better lives, producers in India should give films showing the lives of great torical figures, scientists, natiol leaders, and also films showing new advances in science, medical si gery, commerce, campaign agaij plague, malaria, cholera, T.B. a other diseases. May I draw the att> tion of Indian film producers to tj great need?" BOMBAY. Samuel Ham THEY ARE ALL LIKE THA "I had an opportunity to "Samrat Ashok" produced by K, Lai. I appreciate the sincere effo of its producers to give it historic colours. They have tried to ere; the atmosphere also, but I feel tl the producers have failed to dep this glorious emperor of the past a just and fitting manner. "The whole story does not give any information about Ashok mo than what a boy of the fourth cla knows from his history book. The is more praise for Senapati than f Ashoka himself. We have a ve h;~h. conception of Ashoka from h This will please the prohibitionists. A milk bar scene from Cbitra Production "Aaj Aur Kal", starring Naintara, Shyam and Nita. 68 igust, 194S FILM INDIA ■ y and other literature available of 9 age, but this film fails in creating 1; impression of the type. The ■ ry of Brahma Deva is a misfit Ire and the songs are not rightly lected. Everybody feels himself ■ ;d and irritated instead of enter- I ned. Ch andravati As; ra wala. ■ VTHURA. GANDHI SLIDES } 'The practice of projection of the mie containing Gandhi j i s photo in picture-houses at the commencement of the show should stop at once. Re- cently. I was shocked to find that whistles and yells greeted the father of the nation on the occasion. The fault is not of the mob. The mob mentality and child mentality are both the same. A child finds as much pleasure in tearing Gandhiji's photo as in tearing Godse s. Similarly, the mob honours Gandhiji with the same whistles and veils with which it honours a cinema star on performing a vulgar dance, which is a common feature in to- day's pictures, (e.g. Jugnu. Khidkii. Thus, knowing the mentality of the mob and seeing the kind of response received from them, it is high time that this habit is put an end to. This is not the way of honouring our Bapu."" BANGALORE CITY. V. Sathyam. WISE DECISION "I deliberately missed buying the April issue of "filmindia"' thinking that the two rupees could be spent on something better. I spent it on a Hindi film "Andhon-ki-Duniva". and now I wish I hadn't. I came across your review on the same film dub- bing it as a rotten one. a few days later. So here after. I have decided not to see any Indian film before reading your review on it."" MADRAS. Miss A. 1 . Rao. A COMPLIMENT! "1 saw "Amar Raj" of Wadia Movietone a few days back at Raj- kamal Talkies, one of the best equip- ed theatres of this place. But alas! it was a thorough disappointment. Even though the sound equipment of the theatre was the best, the sound effect was unendurable and photo- graphy was most amateurish and painful to the eye. The storv was of course full of the stereotype Wadia brand jadus. Kalapurushes and unbe- lievable stunts! Had I but known that it w as a W adia sausage directed by Hilla Wadia. I would never have ventured to see that picture. How is it that such pictures are allowed to be produced by your Home Minister who is doing so much to improve the quality of our films? Even best actors like Trilok Kapoor become tinsel at the directorial touch of the Vladias with all their mesmerism and incredible stunts! For what strata of our people are such pictures meant and produced?"' MYSORE. A. N. Narayana Rao. LISTEN, JAWAHARLAL! "A report in the "Sunday Times"" of Madras, dated June 27. 1948. states that the British Government has given sanction for exhibition of the film entitled "India Speaks", in London theatres, which has been ban- ned there for the last 15 vears or so STUDIO EQUIPMENTS Debrie Studio Equipments are always in advance in scientific precision and dependability in operation. They represent a sound investment at low cost with the highest quality in production Tut n out. MATIPO- VERSATILE AUTOMATIC PRINTER super p a r v o improved silent Camera TRUCA fOR TRICK PICTURES AND FANTASTIC EFFECTS For tunhff particular* write lor- FAZALBHOY LIMITEL i^^^ccft fficttcze S&K*tc£ £*t&e>*ie&i6 It. NEW OOEEN'l IOID, BOMBAY ffna*u4iti a/ Calcutta madras new delhi Lahore Karachi 6Q Film india August, 19 In Allied Art Productions' maiden picture "Gajre" Suraiya's youthful charms are displayed to their best advantage in her moments of repose. by the same Government. The news has been despatched by Globe News Agency. Does this mean that the British Government can insult India and her people, now that their impe- rialistic reign is over, by sanctioning exhibition of a film which has been made bv a white man when Indians were slaves? Do not the British people know that India is now a Free country? Won't our Nehru Government take the necessary steps to stop these monkey tricks? It is high time that the white-man should know that we. Indians, care for our prestige just as they, if not more. ' KALYAN. K. P. Menon. THAT IS THEIR "PROGRESS" "Mythology provides good and varied entertainment. History as well. A story selected from recent or dis- tant past and given shape on the screen after some twisting serves quite nicely. Though the story mat- ters, it is art that carries weight. "From the artistic point of view of such pictures, we see that our in- dustry is going from bad to worse, out of the frying pan into the fire. The valued productions of the past such as "Savitri Satyavan". "Pukar", "Sikandar" etc. are no doubt of A-l class. Then in the middle period come pictures like "Veer Kunal'', "Ghandra Gupta", "Draupadi" and so many others. These producls though no! up to the mark, were cer- tainly reasonably entertaining. The rot does not stop here a ad we are given a better boring stuff and more headache in "Krishnar jun Yuddh"v "Maharana Pratap", "Tulsi Vrinda", "Samrat Ashok", together with hun- dreds of the kind. "What is the reason of this down- ward tendency? The producers be- ing led away by the mercenary mo- tives, and keeping before them ideal of money, money and mo money do not care for art. They sla der Art for the sake of moneil sacrifice the grain in the plad of chaff. They portray the grea personalities as no better than nil wits. Secondly they do not take par enough to give better and varied e tertainment. Lastly, I think, the have not got brains that are require for this kind of technical and di' cult task. If they say they have an if theyr have any honour for thei National Heroes and respect for th dead ones, may I appeal to thei good sense and honour ( if they hav any left I to stop this rot and pro duce something which may give th public a vivid and clear picture o their heroes and to stop this day light robbery." MEERUT. Vishnu Dat Tiwari THEY DID NOT KNOW IT "In Jamuna Productions' "Gaon" which I had the misfortune to se the other day at the local 'Nishs the producers betray an utter lack o understanding of the various plan of the Government for extrarnura industrialisation of India when the- put forth arguments, fantastic o course, against the setting up o; mills and factories in villages. Th villagers are shown burning down the camps of those enterprising in- A gypsy dance ballet in "Chandralekha," Gemini Pictures' forthcoming production distributed by the Screens. 70 gust, 194S FlLMINDlA tions. Will the CAWNPORE. Censors listen?" 5. Dutta. \ ■ ruit Lalit Kumar c'o Queen's ■amber, Queen"* Koad, Bombay, I ■anxious lu join llie movies. He I know- both Hindi anil (.ujarati. Ktrialist- who had gone there with B nohle intention ol exploiting use- |ly only the barren and unculti- ed fields. Whatever might ha\e n the motives of those industria- s, it was silly for the producer- to e advocated the policy of retain- barren fields bv the villagers in- id of encouraging them to sur- der such land as they cannot use either agricultural or horticultu- purj)oses. The producers seem to totally ignorant of the fundamen- principles of national economy, ideas sought to be propagated ugh this film are dangerously i-national and make a mockery ol mi's cries for more industries and re production. Advocacy of such lsensical ideas on the screen be- ns illiteracy and ignorance 9ngst the producers but what ut the Censors? Why did they eradicate these pernicious ideas i the film before its release? Do think that they are there only xcise immoral words, gestures, dialogue? Through the medium of ' film- ia", which has always to stimu- our inert and dull Censors to vity, I wish to convey to the sors that they must excise such »es and dialogue which contra- our industrialisation program- We must not allow our villa- i to be victims of harmful no- BLT THEY DON'T WANT TO LEARN ""After seeing "kajal" I want to point one illegality shown in this picture. It is shown that a father adopts a boy as a son in the life time of his real son. According to Hindu Law no father can adopt in the life time of his son. There is only one exception and that is when the son becomes a Sadhu. But this was not the case in this picture, so it is quite contrary to practice. So 1 suggest Of elegance and fine craftsmanship. Here illustrated are three watches made by Jaeger LeCoultre for the dis- criminating man or woman who wants a watch that is good to look at, and will give many years of faithful service. • No. 2311 Jaeger LeCoultrc's elegant stlf-nindmg model with all-steel case, sweep second band and luminous dial. Rs. 300 • No. 1133. Jaeger LeCoultre with staybritc steel case and second hand as illustrated. Rs. 297 No. 1481. Same as above but with small second band. R». 27S No. 2S43. |aet»cr LeCoultrc's staybnte steel dustproof and shock protected case with small second hand. Ri. 2M No. 2393. Same as above with centre second hand. Rt. 300 FAVRE-LEUBA 42?D COMPANY LIMITED. BOMBAY AND CALCUTTA 71 FILMINDIA August, 19 that such producers and directors should be assisted by learned law- yers. SIMLA. Lai Chand Gupta THEY THINK DIFFERENTLY "In my letter published in "film- india" January '48 issue I pointed out to you a vulgar song from film "Jugnu" and since then so many other readers have also requested for its deletion. But when I saw the list of pictures in your May '48 issue from which vulgar portions have been deleted I could not find the name of this film. It is yet to be known whether the censors think that the song is decent and should remain. This film has already completed its run very successfully in most of the North India towns and is at present running at many important centres. I think the censors should wake up before it is too late." NEW DELHI M. P. Bhatia. THEN IT WON'T BE INDIAN! "The Film Division of the Central Government is still in the embryo. Five months ago applications were called for the various posts but even interviews have not been held so far. Enquiries reveal that there is no plausible reason for the delay except the Red Tape. "Isn't it high time that our Na- tional Government showed some effi- ciency ( DELHI. Bab Sethi Recruit R. D. Meshram of D. 1|187, Lodi Colony, New Delhi, is 23, 5'-7" can sing well, has acted in school theatricals and .speaks Urdu, Hindi, Maratlii and Punjabi. WE TOO HAVE SUCH THEATRES "There are some cinema halls here, in Rangoon, which are much more noisy than the noisiest halls I have ever seen. Just before the com- mencement of the show and during the interval these halls are just like pandemoniums. I happened to see some of the worst cinema halls in many places: in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Imphal, Mandalay, Singa- pore, Batavia, Saurabaya etc. but none of these can beat our Rangoon pandemonium in its din and row- dyism. "As soon as you enter these cine- mas here, a number of hawkers car- rying trays and baskets containing ground-nuts, potato-chips, mutton chops, sugarcanes, biscuits, choco- lates and what nots, would come to you shouting and yelling as if you are deaf and blind, and persistently beg you to buy some thing; and you must, willy-nilly, buy any damn thing and be chewing it; otherwise, they wouldn't leave you at rest. "Besides this, you will find so many chatterboxes loudly talking about every thing from cabba- ges to kings, and many others whistl- ing and singing in responsive chorus to the songs of the players, simulta- neously stamping and beating the back of your chair, and sorae others loudly translating the play to their wives and children in their respective languages. Thus you will find the whole hall ringing with clattering noises, and you can hardly hear the songs and dialogue from the screen. "And then, when you come out at the interval you can scarcely find a foot of space to move about in the veranda, the whole place being occu- pied by a number of hawkers with their portable kitchens, frying crabs, • prawns, fishes, ducks etc., display- ing their wonderful and fearful dishes for feeding the audience. And what a hell of clamour is made by the crowd scrambling for these dishes! "I think people go to cinema for some amusement and recreation. Is that the time for eating crabs and prawns, potato chips and sugar- canes? Can't they stop eating for even two hours out of the 24 hours? Recruit K. J. Joseph of Kuzit vantu House, Nattachery, P.O. Kotta yam, Travancore State, is 23, 5' 10'j can sing and act and knows Hinduq tani, Urdu and Bengali. Don't these cinema wallas realiz how annoying and exasperating it to the average cinegoers? Why donl they stop allowing these hawkers int| their cinema premises? "Unfortunately these cinemas times get some good pictures; we are tempted to go to their sho\ and suffer the tortures." RANGOON. H. A. Rahman TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE! "I have read the leading articl in your issue of June, 1948, head — Documentary Or Defamation? wish to draw your attention to a ser: ous mistake of fact. The films ti which you refer are not being mad by the Film Department of this org. nisation, nor is this organisation any way connected with them. The are, in fact, being made for th United Nations Economic and Socia Council by the United Nations Film & Visual Information Division o the United Nations Department o Public Information. "I should be obliged if you woul draw attention to these facts in you next issue. W. Farr, Acting Head. Mass Communication Section, Linked Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation 19, Avenue Kleber, Paris 16. Printed by Archibald Pereira at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., Globe Mills Passage, ofi Delisle Road, Bombay 13, and Published by him for " filmindia M Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Bombay. Vow Breaking Records in 2nd Month at the " NOVELTY" Delhi For Particulars: — JAGAT PICTURES SHREE SOUND STUDIOS, MAIN ROAD. DADAR, BOMBAY. Distributors:- DELHI, U.P. & EAST PUNJAB :- JAGAT TALKIES DISTRIBUTORS. Chandni Chowk, Delhi. BENGAL:- AMBICA FILM EXCHANGE, Bentinck Street, Calcutta. C. P.C.I.:- BHARTI FILM DISTRIBUTORS, Indore. DO THEY NEED ANY MTRODUCTU THEY COME TO ENTERTAIN YO I tn , AfAT/OMAL/ TftJEATJpe* ' K. ABDULLA PRODUCTION World Rights Controlled By: INDIA FILM CIRCUIT. Bengal BOMBAY PICTURES CORPORATION, CALCUTTA. Sind: SAMINA PICTURES, KARACHI. West Pakistan . BEST PICTURES DISTRIBUTORS. REGD.No B 3517 SEPTEMBER 1948 INLAND Rs. 2 - FOREIGN Sh.^ genuine "IMMPBORIC" SOUND EQUIPMENT THE ONLY POSTWAR MODEL "THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTOR NOW available ex-stock for theatres from 500 INTERNATIONAL TALKIE . Now There's Enough For Every Exhibitor Remember those war-time years when all you could do was to wish foi the new things you needed for you theatre and make the best of wha you had ? NOW things are back to norma and a variety of your needs in man brands is available. The rest ar catching up fast with others. Yoi will be surprised at the wide variet( of splendid new items of theatn equipment we have to offer you Let us help you to be first with th< LATEST— AND THE BEST ; MORE For the same MONEY When you select a Cinema Soun< Projector Equipment you are reall; buying such qualities as design workmanship, performance, ease o operation, economy of maintenance MIRROPHONIC offers you the onlj Sound Equipment of post-war design Its modern engineering and man; startling new features are yours foi the same price you would pay foi outdated models. BUY WISELY - BUY MIRROPHONIC ! to 5000 seats at spzcially reduced prices. EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., 17. NEW Phone: 2 08 9 2. NEW YORK 57, William Street, NEW YORK S, N. Y. QUEEN'S ROAD. BOMBAY 4. Telegram: "SOUNDHEAD" DELHI LONDON Chandni Chowk. 21, Wormwood Street, DELHI. LONDON E. C. 2. MADRAS 18, Mount Road, MADRAS 2. // You Have Ever Loved Or Loved And Lost, Here Is YOUR Story Here h A Picture, Which We Challenge You To Forget If You Can I mrticulars contact. — For . Bombay , C.P.&C.-I. Fjr Overseas: — i Shanti lok (hitra Messrs- toirl Pictures Ltd. Wassiamull Assoomul Botawala Building, Elphinstone Churchgate Street, Fort, •6, Tardeo, BOMBAY 7. Circle, Fort, BOMBAY. BOMBAY. By all modern standards, the NEVELECTOR is today's most advanced Mercury Arc Rectifier. Con- verting A C. to smooth Direct Current for operating your High Intensity Arc Lamps, the NEVELECTOR incorporates several new features which we would like to show and explain to you. For this Rectifier, as for all G. K. equipment, we extend a comprehensive after-sales service. When in Bombay exhibitors are most welcome to come and see this and other equipment in our new show rooms and demonstration theatre. There is no need to make an appointment. FORBES BUILDING HOME STREET BOMBAY SOCIETY CINEMA, 2 CORPORATION PLACE CALCUTTA KHALEEL MANSIONS, 35, MOUNT ROAD MADRAS i t i \ i SUBSCRIPTION RATES The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from any month Is : INLAND Rs. 24/- FOREIGN: Shillings 50/- Subscriptlon Is accepted only for a collective period ol 12 months and not for a smaller period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V. P. P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRIETORS FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD. SS, SIR RHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY. Telephone ! 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATE L Vol. XIV. SEPTEMBER 1948 No. 9. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows : Per Insertion Full Page Inside Rs. Half Page Inside Rs. i Page inside Rs. * Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 400 210 120 150 500 600 1st Cover Rs. 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertise- ment will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. A/eur Celluloid /Sitla5 and &almta5 I Whenever there is a shortage of raw films in the Intry, we find Chandulal Shah of Ran jit at the head of ■ raw stock distributing committee which is always Ined, in what seems like a collusion with the Kodak jple who are the largest importers of raw films in this Intry. I No sooner there is a sufficiency of supply,- Indulal Shah disappears from the [MPPA delibcra- Isand is usually found on the race course. I Strange though it seems this phenomenon repeats If at regular intervals of raw stock scarcity and one Jders whether Chandulal's interest in The Indian film listry begins and ends with the raw stock position in Jcountry. Is he afraid of losing his share of the spoils le is not on the committee that decides to allocate the I film supplies to the different producers from day to I There is no denying the unfortunate fact that there jL. acute shortage of raw stock in spite of the Govern- Mt's permission to import a liberal supply. No one Iws exactlv whether this shortage is artificial or due to Ses bevond the control of the manufacturers and ■orters of the raw films. lOne fact, however, stands out significantly that lnever there is a shortage of raw films, artificial or J/oidable, quite a few people make quite a bit of ■ey by selling a part of the stock in the black market. ■ There are two ways of feeding the black market in Is. One is by giving the stock to stooges who have ■uction companies merely on letter heads and conduct Want film laboratories and the other way is to dole la couple of tins every time to small producers who lot do any substantial work with these and are com- md to resell the tins in the black market before the ■ emulsion gets time-barred. A Another disgusting feature of this unofficial raw film wol is the willing co-operation which a reputed busi- 1 firm like Kodaks lends to the strong clique of pro- 1 rs who are members of the Producers' Association. ■ One fails to understand by what canons of business lilitv can the management of Kodak (India I Ltd. ■y its rather too willing co-operation with the in- itial members of the IMPPA in doling or denying ■stocks to the favoured few or otherwise, seeing that Inain mission of Kodaks is to import raw films and It to people who ask and pay for it. ■If what has been reported to us by several reliable iucers is true, Kodaks are also guilty of rank impoli- teness and Hitlerian behaviour. It seems that the pro- ducers who call at the Kodak offices in Fort, are made lo dance attendance on the gentleman who is evidently in charge of the raw film sales. This man. it is said, often becomes rude to the point of disgust and many film pro- ducers, who are always cash customers, are often uncere- moniously shouted at and pushed out of the film godown of Kodaks. Surely, that is not the code of business con- duct with which Kodaks have come to India to trade! Or have they? In a postwar world there are bound to be shortages of one commodity or other. But does that justify any unnecessary rudeness towards our people by the hirelings of a foreign firm? Supposing we call upon a couple of these top dogs to give us a glimpse of their present bank balances and overseas remittances during the war. will they be able to justify their present assets with the nominal salaries they have been earning all along? It is a delicate question to ask but one rudeness calls for another and it would do well for these people to be polite to our producers and let the sleeping dogs lie rather than provoke some public spirited person to dig out the gruesome facts of the past and the present and discover the skeleton in the family closet. We hope this is taken as a friendly warning for the future and we are not compelled to expose picture deals for distribution nor disturb the merry liaison with some film laboratories which may probably prove the way the raw film stock takes long before the producers expose it with their intellectual stink. Whatever the real facts may be. it is a matter of deej) regret for a firm of Kodak s international prestige to be unwittingly involved in the pettv politics of an in- fluential clique of motion picture producers at the ex- pense of small producers. There is already a great consternation among the small producers at the way they are being elbowed out of their legitimate share of raw stocks bv the powerful clique that controls the distribution of raw stocks. And all this with the willing co-operation of Kodaks — a firm with international prestige. The studio owners have only one axe to grind and that is to choke off as many independent producers as possible so that their own putrid studio products get as little competition as possible. It is a well known fact in the industry that many independent producers often pro- duce better quality pictures than the professional studio owners who generally plan their productions as just so 3 IT WOULD TAKI O .35 # ...to tell you all about the post-war Westrex Matter Sound System. But this list indicates iodic of its more revolutionary new features. A Hydro Flutter Suppressor that reduces mechanical flutter to less than one-half of the industry's standard. A Built-in Pre-Amplifier that has been re- duced to a fraction of the former size. An Electro-tension Governor providing elec- tro-magnetic control of film speed to compen- sate for fluctuations in motor and sprockets. An Equilight Diffuser helping to produce every sound track — whether density or area — with maximum efficiency. Instantaneous Sound Changeover, perfor- med electrically eliminating manual control. A Hand Brake providing a means of bringing the motor, projector and reproducer mechanism to a quick yet smooth emergency stop These and many other electrical and mecha- nical improvements make the post-war Westrex Master more durable and dependable than ever It gives your patrons a quality and quan- tity of sound such as they have never heard before. The Westrex Master is amazingly adaptable. While designed for use with the famous Ashcraft Arc Lamps and Century Pro- jector, it may be used with any standard projec- tion equipment. And remember, too, there •re other Westrex models for smaller cinemas and purses. Western Electric Company ot India The liability of the members is limited METRO MOUSE • P.O. BOX 1232 ■ ESPLANADE ROAD ■ BOMBAY. * ★ ★ Send your enquiries «!•• fen Molmei Portabl* Sound Projection Equipment 35 mm. and 16 mm. • Magnaphonei (inler-offica con> •unication) • Watchmaatars ■ ©ray Audographi. Prttto Disc Recording Equipment • Win Racordart • Theatre Carbons ■ (ember, 1948 FILM INDIA I more grist to the mill without any thought of qua- [ During the slump last year some of these very same I) owners unceremoniously closed down their studios k hrew thousands out of employment and threw open |)und stages for hiring by independent producers. I of them did so not because motion picture produc- liad suddenly become an uneconomic proposition but I se the ambitious studio bosses had lost heavily in I cotton and race gambling. I Vt that critical juncture the small independent pro- Is kept up our annual quota of productions by their lit perseverance in the face of odds and not only lied the theatres with their day to day requirements llso raised the general standard of our pictures. I hese very same people are now being jettisoned in Ir of the studio owners most of whom are only time- I.g capitalists with lo\e neither for art nor for in- Whe independent producers are fretting and fuming I rustration and are already thinking in terms of an lendent bod\ to look after their interests. It is a well known axiom that big fish eat small ones JT the independents still hope to live with the power- Bud io owners and survive thev ithe independents) King in a fool's paradise. How can two conflicting interests ever pull together Ber sweetly Chandulal Shah may talk and over- le i the little one> with the >entiment of artificial unity I is not always backed by a hearty and sincere co- piiion ? lilhoking off the independent producers by denying Bm the vital raw stocks is to forge a disgraceful car- I production monopoly which will not only bring ■ what little quality of production we ha\e at present llso shut off free enterprise which is the main distill- ing feature of our new-found democracy. B'he part Kodaks are playing in this game is, to say list, not worthy of their international traditions. As In traders, mainly in India for business, they ha\e Isiness to align themselves with self-seeking trade Bbolists at the expense of general industrial economy I in future must be based on socialistic principles. If Kodaks are thus misusing their privilege to un- law films into this country, it is high time that the Bj'ities look into the matter more closelv and give International firm some directives as to the exact Hexion of our future government of the country . In the other hand the independent producers would III either to form a separate association of their H> guard their interests or to put their hea\ v foot • on the activities <>i people who are trying to rob ■if their f undamental privileges. I independent producers are to be warned off the Br) this manner we have no chance of seeing another Alana which wa> produced by an independent pro- ce« ith.iut a >(udio. tji a tret- country, there m u~t be free enterprise and ■cartel of new celluloid Birlas and Dalmias. \m\ Ml, above all. needs freedom for its best expression. Raw "Peat To M&dt&i IVotketi It is reported that after consulting representatives of the film industry and "studying" the actual needs of the workers, the Commi ssioner of Labour to the Government of Madras has prescribed a minimum scale of wages for different workers in the film studios. According to this scale, the highest ceiling of wages is Rs. 100-5-200 for the chief make-up man and the labo- ratory chief whilst the lowest rung begins from Rs. 20-1- 25 for sweepers, setting and moulding assistants and offi- ce peons. In between these two points, the cameraman and the recordist are priced at Rs. 60 - each per month while the office head-clerk is allowed Rs. 80 - and the car- penter mistry Rs. 90 - per month. Of course, in keeping with the universally prevalent practice, a fixed dearness allowance of Rs. 20 - per month is generously granted to all those getting salaries below Rs. 10- and R>. 25 - to those getting more than Rs. 40|- per month. In the Bombay studios, an average cameraman earns Rs. M)U - per month while there are quite a few getting anything between a thousand and fifteen hundred rupees per month. The average recordist also gets as much as the cameraman and often more and there is at least one instance of one Mr. Sharma being paid Rs. 1500- per month. The average laboratory chief and the chief setting man earn anything between Rs. 400J- and Rs. 500 - per month. In "Pugree", a social story of All India Pictures, Dixit, our ace comedian, gives another sterling performance. 5 MODEL XD-35 M.M. TRANSPORTABLE MOTION PICTURE SOUND PROJECTOR Producers brilliant, uniformly illuminated, easier on the eye pictures, synchronised with sound that is natural and undistorted at every volume level. Specifications Equipped with 2000 ft. film magazine and 4 projection lens. Soundhead perfectly matched to 25 watt amplifier and 12 P. M. speaker. For no volts A. C. 50/60 cycles operation. Price Rs. 7,165/- YOU CURRY A THEATRE « IN A SUITCASE WHEN \ you OWN a. .. PORTABLE PROJECTOR This will give you theatre quality projection of regular 35 mm. motion pictures— either indoors or out of doors, wherever audiences might gather. Specifications : Built in soundhead perfectly matched to 25 watt amplifier and 12 P. M. speaker. Heavy Duty Universal Motor, 5 inch projection lens. For no volts A. C. 5060 cycles operation. Price Rs.. 4,035 - Sole Agents for India ELECTRONICS LIMITED CONNAUGHT PLACE. NEW DELHI Snii distributors Jor fiengal, Bihar Assam', Radio Supply Store, I Dalhousit Square, Calcutta itember, 1948 FILM INDIA iv Purohit, a new comer, makes his debut in Ranjit's "Jai Hanuman". ,hief make-up men in Bombay usually earn over 30|- per month while their assistants are paid any- between Rs. 100|- and Rs. 150|-. .Tie setting coolies get anything from Rs. 60[- to )0|- a month while sweepers earn well over Rs. 50|- onth. idmitting that Madras has a slightly lower standard ing in comparison with Bombay, one wonders whe- he gulf is so wide as to justify the niggardly scale ges fixed by the Commissioner of Labour, rom the scale of minimum wages fixed for our Indian workers, one is compelled to conclude that the city of Madras is abundant in food, clothing, lg and other necessities of life or that the film rs of the South are all leading an austere life of ;nial like the sages of ancient India living on wild raw vegetable and leaves, wearing bark and living s built in trees and painted with cow-dung. he Commissioner of Labour either seems to have nisled by the crafty representatives of the South film industry or seems to have lost sight of the es of the present world around him. In so far as re necessities of life are concerned, namelv food othing. thanks to the clumsy bungling of the vari- hite-capped provincial governments and the ever- ng control, decontrol and recontrol of commodi- ie living expenses for the average worker through- dia are almost uniform, especially with the black- eer demanding a premium on every morsel of food iy worker has the temerity or means to swallow in lays of super-capitalistic economy. Half of our workers get hungry due to the strain on their ears, hearing the token lectures and promises given by our leaders at regular intervals with or without any provocation. To prescribe officially a ridiculous scale of wages to those half-hungry people is to add insult to injury. . Quite a few idiotic things often happen in the South but this is about the most idiotic of them all. In an in- dustry where producers make huge fortunes and often dissipate them in gambling and sex-play, it is unfair for the government to step in and put a ceiling on the earn- ings of the workers who mainly contribute to the pros- perity of the industry. No government is qualified to interfere with the film industry in this manner as the film studios employ skill- ed workers with specific talent and such labour cannot be subject to the uniform pattern prescribed for general labour found in other industries. The Labour Commissioner in Madras had no busi- ness to interfere with the workers of the South Indian him industry and thereby provide an official excuse to the film producers to deny equitable wages and due pro- motions to an honest band of workers who have often saved our indigenous film industry from the ravages of heartless gamblers. If the Provincial Government of the South believes in justice and fair play it must straightway scrap the stupid and irrational scale of wages fixed by its Labour Commissioner. Doing so will mean real service to the people. And that is, we guess, what the ministers swore to do when they took office. in one more picture, "Halchal" produced by Asif for National Theatre. 1 in the service of the theatre world in America, England, France, Italy, India and all the major film producing countries since 1919 THE PROJECTOR FOR THE SMALL THEATRE AND THE TOURING CINEMA • • • » • « • • • • • • • t • • • • • • • • • • • • t « ♦ » t SOLE CONCESSIONAIRES FOR RCA PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTD. (AFFILIATED WITH RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA) Main Office: 9, MARINE LINES, BOMBAY I BronchtS'.7% QUEENSWAY, NEW DELHI. 10, OLD COURT HOUSE ST., CALCUTTA, l/l 8, MOUNT RD, MADRAS. This section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. fEEBOOTERS OF FREEDOM ! |> Recently the U. P. Government issued an order that ■ eminent servants should not take complimentary Ises for cinemas. This shows that the government is lire of the weakness of its executives for cinema passes I a merely pious order will he of no avail unless it is ■Dreed rigorously hy the authorities. What we have lie to identify as the "police blackmail" is as old as I erstwhile slavery and it would need more than an lisory order to stop this racket. k In Lucknow, this order is, however, obeyed only in lireach. The petty government officials not only demand ■ iplimentary passes but they even attempt to evade the ■ •rtainment tax. The policemen, it is reported, with I exception of a few officers, also protest against pay- lit of entertainment tax. Add to these protests, the lily and friendlv requirements of the municipal offi- Is and imagine the number of people who see our mo- ll pictures free of cost from week to week without even ling the entertainment tax. On an average, the cinema owner issues 200 passes month to please the police. The police are all-pow- 1 and the appeasement policy of the cinema owner, ourse inspired by his commercial interests, to avoid or theatre scuffles with the help of the uniformed of law and order must be responsible for distribul- passes so profusely. It is well-known that without the co-operation and >ort of the police, the cinema hall can be turned into ritable pandemonium. So co-operation needs a re- 1 and a complimentary pass often helps to restrain indictive measures of the little dictators. This anti-social act is being perpetrated not onlv by constables, but by the sub-inspectors and even their ions. The cinema owners, are of course, willing to *e the police and the sub-inspectors but when it gs to relations, they resent their entry without a ticket pass. And yet, they are helpless. When will the police learn to do their duty honestly without expecting a reward? We have completed a of independence and it is high time we acquire a iof responsibility and national discipline. The Government of Bombay bad passed a similar ^ a couple of years ago, but the theatre attendances an entirely different story these davs. True, the :emen avoided our theatres when the ink on the order Btill not dried, but things seem to have slid back to ame old racket with the passage of time. Not only little dictators" showing up these days with their jse families and friends from Konkan, but quite a >thers, especially the charitable Zoroastnans, also help to rob our national government of its legitimate en- tertainment tax by regular free visits. These Parsis, of course, think that they need not pay for "gamthi" pic- tures as the theatres are generally owned and managed by Parsis. Will the different provincial Home Ministers tell us how long we can afford to lose our legitimate entertain- ment tax, seeing that these free-booters rob us and also get themselves entertained in the bargain? SAVE YOUR SKINS Every month we receive hundreds of letters from different towns complaining about bad projection in al- most all the cinemas. These complaints are from chronic filmgoers and usually they wouldn't mind seeing even a rotten film un- der impossible circumstances. Still their patience is be- ing sorely tried and it wouldn't be surprising if some of them soon begin to smash the furniture and start throw- ing chairs at the theatre owners. These filmgoers have our sympathies because they shell out their hard-earned money with the idea of getting a few hours' relaxation At man's old game of winning woman's heart — Sulochan;i Chatterjee and Rehman in Jagat Pictures' maiden social "Veena." FILMINDI A but are actually given some rotten entertainment with a few awful screeches by the heroine. As it is, the technical quality of our pictures is infer- nally poor, with photography shunting between a thick mist and glaring sunlight. Add to this, the negligent pro- cessing of prints and imagine the amount of optical strain on the human eye. The distributors and the exhi- bitors contribute their mite to this disgusting episode by criminal handling of the film prints which are often found bathed in the machine oil, thereby squeezing out completely any remaining visibility. Then the sprockets of the projectors take their regular toll and a film loses quite a bit of its original footage by the time it arrives in a small town. For want of care the print also records its protest by snapping several times in the midst of its run, thus throwing the audience into an uproar of pro- test. Under such heartless conditions no picture can be entertaining, however well produced originally. It is, therefore, no wonder that filmgoers all over the country are in a bad temper. Even in America, these things sometimes happen and recently it was reported that five hundred filmgoers went wild in a New York theatre, as a result of clumsy projection. The picture was "Man Eater of Kumaon" September, ii and the filmgoers in their rage nearly became "maJB ers" themselves as the screen let out a weird screeckB screech was followed by flickering images and sudjnfi the screen went blank. The howling and hooting riljl such an extent that Robert Ungerfeld, the manB director, apologized to his audience and stoppejffl show. Our theatre owners lack even this politeness tc logize and yet they would do well to look after thei prints and projectors more carefully in future if care for their skins. For, the letters we receive sm ill-humour and it wouldn't be shocking if a croi filmgoers in some town suddenly decide to beat u theatre boss and give him a few first hand lessons int showmanship. Most of our showmen are unpunished scourl and they richly deserve almost any chastisement then get. We must, however, avoid such violent situatici they tend to a general breach of peace, a state we cj tolerate in a free and disciplined nation. If howeveip thing so tragic, happens, the people primarily resji ble for the same will be the showmen. They provk cause which will madden any normal person and] goers are no saints. Also* FACE POWDER * EYEBROW PENCILS ♦ LIPSTICKS ♦ MASCARA *COLD CREAM * CLEANSING CREAM and 101 other beauty preparations. All the refreshing glory of perfect base, satin-f inishe- make-up can be yours. Severe, alluring shades to fill you wit the fascination of youthful charr Sole Agents : LOGIN DAWLA CORPORATION LTE PATEL CHAMBERS, BOMBAY For Theatrical Make-up : For Screen Make-up : Messrs. S. Rose & Co., Rampart Row, Fort. Bombay. G. V. Rana, 193, Oadysheth Agiary Lane, Bombayl For Society Make-up : The Army & Navy Stores, Esplanade Road, Fort, Bombay. R. JADAVJI, Colaba Causeway, Bomb i ptember, 1948 iX"AHARLAL'S WORD OF HONOUR I Some time in January 1948. the Government of 1 nbay issued an ordinance controlling the use of build- materials for constructing only small tenements and lying permission to build any new cinemas. This was a sequel to the agitation launched by "film- ia" and the ordinance came in good time, though Con- ssman Manu Subedar got away with his palatial hotel . his new luxurious cinema at Marine Lines. \S e had requested the Government of Bombav to in- igate in this matter thoroughly. Home Minister rarji Desai, it is reported, did not seem to like the iplexion of things but thinking discretion to be the er part of valour did not wish to interfere with little iu's big enterprise which seemed to have a sanction n the Central Government. Official investigations efore came to an abrupt end and Manu Subedar has i able to complete both the cinema and the hotel. The ;1, moreover, acquired an official recognition when a ■;e crowd of A.I.C.C. members was accommodated ■ e recently. We don't grudge Manu Subedar his good I: but we want to know exactly how many poor quaft- licould have been built in the building material mis- o;l in these two palatial buildings. It is a little pro- ■n of democratic mathematics. || Every deed, good or bad. is these days attributed to ■ ocracy and democracy is fast taking a new definition. ■ masses are the usual sufferers and it is big guns like VI u Subedar who get the best out of the Congress gov- Inent by virtue of their influence and status. We know that Home Minister Morarji Desai has a ■i democratic outlook on life and it is therefore flhge that he has not gone to the root of the Manu jlkdar scandal. Perhaps it is a case of letting the ileiing dogs lie. I Our present unfortunate lot seems to be to hear H> platitudes of democracy without the support- ■jacts that take democracy into the home and heart of citizen. I [Recently, in New Delhi. Mr. H. V. Kamath asked in ■Parliament whether government would see that build- Unaterials which were so scarce were not diverted to Hroilding of cinema houses, restaurants and hotels as ■happened in a town in the United Pro\ inces. II Our Prime Minister. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, with ■usual commendable impulse gave us an assurance ■ not a single cinema house would be built in India ther necessarv requirements had been met. In fact. ■fcovernment of India had asked the provincial govern- As that even the construction of palatial buildings Hid be put off for the time being. \: the wake of Pandit Nehru's statement comes the ■ that the West Bengal government are enquiring as to Sl8 cinema houses sprang up in Calcutta within a Bnonths in spite of the fact that no building materials ■ supplied to those theatre owners by the government. Hently. there are 18 more Manu-magicians in Cal- ■flThis magic of cinema construction is fast distorting *Haeaning of democracy for us and even a diehard ■ ressman like me has started wondering whether FILMINDI A something is rotten in the State of Denmark. Imagine, therefore, the shock to the poor and needy to see 18 in a row and all to show our usually rotten motion pictures. Our theatre owners are unblushing capitalists and they are always out to squeeze the last penny from the pockets of our stupid filmgoers. To let these people run wild with precious building material is simply to deny a square deal to our homeless masses. Imagine the sad plight of thousands of refugees who are clamouring for a roof over their head! Add to this, the tragic clamour of the poverty-stricken millions to whom the pavement is a bed and the sky a roof and it is not difficult to under- stand so much discontent against our present popular ministries. If the \^ est Bengal Government s investigations ever see the light of day, they should provide a useful gui- dance to the other provincial governments and help them at least to keep a watchful eye and see that more Manu Subedars don't take advantage of the building materials in the black market. Black marketing of building materials is evidently going on merrily in Calcutta and at a magical speed. And unless the West Bengal Government take a firm and deci- sive attitude, nothing is likely to come out of their inves- tigations. In the meantime, "filmindiar' will keep a close watch and wait for the findings of the West Bengal Government, but before then let us pray that Premier B. C. Roy interprets democracy correctly to the poor millions who look up to him for food and shelter. Why not send these little capitalists to jail for their Madhubala and Ranjitkumari seem to be discussing the ethics of Ahimsa in "Lai Dupatta", Akash Chitra's maiden social. team For 1948 M P I. TALCUM POWDER 2. TOOTH POWDER 3 SHAMPOO 4. BRILLIANTINE 5. SNOW 6. COLD CREAM 7. TOOTH PASTE 8. CASTOR OIL , COCONUT OIL 10. TIL OIL II. HAIR OIL 12. TOILET SOAP 13. SHAVING STICK 14. CUP SOAP. PATRONIZE INDIAN PRODUCTS, FREE FROM ANIMAL FAT, AND TELL US If YOU STILL JUSTIFY FOREIGN IMPORTS. MODI SOAP WORKS, MODINAGAR U.P. September, 1948 FILMINDIA ishna gives a good emotional account of herself in "Batolii" produced by T. K. Screen Classics. anti-social acts? That will make the Manns and Modis nk ten times before they buy another brick to build other small mint at the expense of the poor and needy. Meanwhile, we expect Premier Jawaharlal Nehru, at ist, to keep his promise and not spell democracy with Incrimination. '£LL DONE, BAB IK AO PAI! For the first time after launching the production reer of his Famous Pictures, Baburao Pai deserves a Jt on his back for having produced a documentary with difference called "Bapu Ki Amar Kahani". This one-reeler lyrical record of some of the Ma- Itma's outstanding achievements shown, appropriately ■)ugh, during the Independence Week at the Metro Wiema is, on the whole, a creditable attempt to compress [thin the limitations of a thousand feet of celluloid the lie of the birth of a "New God" without a single jarring ■:e or unseemly effect as it were. While "filmindia's" warning against the picturiza- ■n of a full-length biography of Gandhiji by any single |>ducer has already had a salutary effect in dissuading iny producers who were toying with the idea, one was i'ertheless sceptical of the result of this Famous enter- Ise but the makers of "Bapu Ki Amar Kahani" have |:n well-advised to refrain from any impersonation of I Mahatma on the screen. Instead, they have cleverly succeeded in building up Idu's personality by substituting his statues, photo- ■ phs and images which is certainly a laudable alterna- I; to the possible drawbacks and limitations of any ■ or impersonating the Mahatma. "Bapu Ki Amar Kahani" thus becomes a symbolic documentary produced effectively and with a sincerity of purpose that need not be questioned after witnessing it. And although the picture lacks the tragic atmosphere of "Bapu Ki Antim \atra", distributed by the IMPPA soon after the Mahatma's death, it has an appeal and signifi- cance of its own and must as such be widely exhibited throughout the country. Well done, Baburao Pai! W e also appreciate Metro's enterprise in screening their very first film in Hindustani, even though it was a documentary of a thousand feet and we hope this tempo- rary display of courage may one day lead to the screen- ing of a full length feature film in Hindustani. COMEDY WITH A FOREIGN THEME Though we have had a number of enjoyable and sometimes intelligent comedies from Hollywood (as dis- tinct from the Bob Hope stuff), there is little to compare with the two months" spell of "mirthquake" (apologies to the publicity blurb!) claimed by "Sitting Pretty" at the local Strand Cinema. For, this picture has not only lifted the comedy craze to its zenith more than any other from Hollywood in recent memory, but what's more significant, has fur- nished an emphatic answer to those who so often lay the blame for the poor quality and want of proper apprecia- tion of films at the door of our average picture-goer. Undoubtedly the patronage that made "Sitting Pretty" such a roaring success in the city and accounted for its record run in a distant city locality like Colaba, was in no way restricted to the limited section of regular "Is it really so?" asks Sulochana Chatter jee to Rehman in Jagat Pictures' maiden social "Veena." 13 r ILrllaTAlM S I SUBODMUII ..„viIV\\YUY\\V^\/ Member, 1948 FILMINDI A I Surova in "Glinka", a Russian pic ture to be released through Diamond Pictures Ltd. itors to foreign pictures but comprised of a large num- ■ ol those Indian women who seldom, if ever, see eign films. Evidently the brilliant, biting satire on the common ypically suburban") habit of gossiping and scandal- ngering rellected by this him was the main highlight ich attracted all the classes of people including even se who scarcely understand or follow the English >ken in films and in spite of the fact that the central a of baby-sitters is foreign to a majority of Indians. Perhaps the most interesting and noteworthy feature the tremendous popularity of this comedy was the in- apable revelation that a number of our housewives odern and otherwise) having 'touchy', suspicious hus- lds were not found wanting to avail themselves of this Jortunity of dragging their hubbies to see in this film lassie reflection of their own mental make-up through characterization of Mr. King played by Robert mg. It is not known if these husbands have taken a tip m the happy ending of "Sitting Pretty" and will deve- deaf ears to scandal-mongers or whether some of m have actually resolved to employ a baby-sitter in e of emergency! But there is at least one living in- lce of an acquaintance who openly attributes his suc- 5 in securing paying guest accommodation in a subur- i family to the "psychological effect" of "Sitting My" on his host who was (so he tells me) previously ictant to oblige despite the persuasions of his better f! BETTER MANNERS AND PUNCTUALITY Freedom caught us napping and found us soaked in slavish manners inherited from the 200-year old British boot. A nation's manners are noticed in public places like the theatres, the stadium or parks where people con- gregate either for sport or amusement or for politics. Bad manners are particularly seen in our cinemas and mostly in the upper classes where people pay more money for seats and soon imagine that they own the entire theatre. The general behaviour of Indian audien- ces in the cinemas is most disgusting and provides a bad advertisement to a free nation. Apart from spitting indiscriminately, wearing tur- bans tbat cut off the screen or talking loudly to the ac- companying members of their family, perhaps the most annoying habit which people, who frequent the upper classes, have got is arriving late — long alter the show has begun. The late comers are a great nuisance in a cinema theatre where the lights are off. They cross a row of people groping in the dark and in doing so walk across the eyes of spectators who are already in their seats. Hav- ing annoyed a group of spectators, the late comers, often accompanied by their fat families and always by the theatre usher w ith a flashlight in hand, reach the gang- way and then begins the scramble for wrong seats, which again disturbs another group of spectators. After a bit of pushing and stumbling, the usher is permitted to ad- vance from the rear of the fat family and allowed to find the row where the late-comers are to be settled down. That done the flashlight tilts up into the eyes of those already sitting so that the late-comers may know their exact seats. IS'ow begins the squeezing in and stamping over the feet of those already seated in one grand clumsy effort to reach the seats. All this time the eyes of several spectators are screened by the black shadows of the late-comers and they miss quite a bit of the picture before them. It doesn't, however, end with finding the seats. Hav- ing seated themselves, the elders among the late-comers make loud inquiries whether everyone else is properly seated. If there is a little portable piper, then the little one is often transferred from lap to lap till the bottom of the little one fits correctly the lap of someone. That done the fat members take a 'kerchief from the pocket and with a loud 'shhh' wipe out the labour of their arrival. All this disturbs everyone around but those who come late never realize the glaring fact that a little pun- ctuality would have avoided all the groping and stumb- ling and saved the others from unnecessary nuisance. When cinemas w idely advertise the show timings and are compelled by necessity to stick to them, it is just sheer bad manners and ungentlemanly on the part of people to arrive late and disturb others. And yet from these late-comers, quite a few call themselves cultured and educated. But this is not true only of the cinemagoers. Our provincial ministers, who preach morality and good con- duct to millions from the Chowpatty sands, or for that matter from any vacant plot of land, are notorious for their late arrival wherever they are expected. 15 IT'S ONE BIG LESSON in BAPUJI'S TEACHINGS... BHOOMRADDI Productions BUOOMRQDDl PRODUCTIONS 6 Dlnkar Pari I. Starring '. SHANTA APTE GJS2.) SHAHU MODAK- SALVI - Jav mala - Lata - Baby Nanda Samson - Vijaya - Jankidas and WINAYAK. Next Attraction at SWASTIK TALKIES BOMBAY. See her plead The CAUSE of The WOMAN — Her Desires Her Ambitions Her deeds — Under WINAYAK'S able direction. For Territorial Rights Apply: BHOOMRADDI PRODUCTIONS -'DCMRROOfl'ROOUCTlOlil Bhailal Bhuvan, 118, Chinch Agents for Bengal Circuit: LftXMI FILM Bunder Road, BOMBAY 9. circuit — eALeuTTfl. ■rtember, 1918 The other day at the special show of the Russian , "The Stone Flower" at the Regal, two prominent nbers of the Bombay Cabinet kept over a thousand pie sucking their thumbs for full 20 minutes before • at last arrived without even an apology on their offi- lips. And these very same ministers are supposed to us an example in punctuality and civic responsibility. When responsible ministers behave in such irrespon- e and ungentlemanly manner (for it is ungentleman- 0 keep a thousand persons waiting uselessly) what we expect from the all and sundry who see our mo- pictures? 1 It is high time that we exhibit a bit of our much nted culture of the past by being punctual at public lerings and cinemas and begin behaving like respon- le free citizens. J'LL HARDLY BELIEVE— That Editor Baburao Patel has come back alive from erica leaving behind a bleeding ulcer, two-thirds of stomach and forty-two pounds of solid weight. — And even an aeroplane accident for consolation! Now ducers think he has ninety lives and not the prover- I nine. That one thing Editor Patel didn't leave behind in ikeeland is his pen. He will need it here to carve a ng from the film industry. That Editor Patel was for once touched the way all 1 sundry, from the top to the bottom, in the film indus- called on him for affectionate inquiry. For once he |lized that every one liked him and no one wished him That gave him a greater shock than the serious > ration had done. That Pandit Indra no longer sits in the Ranjit Dur- to wait for a free lunch. He is busy turning words ) coins at the Gemini Studios in Madras. Isn't there a ■verb about rats leaving a sinking ship! That Vasan of Gemini is paying Rs. 24000j- to Pan- Indra for four months of Hindustani. That is some ce for a tiny Marwari dictionary. Did we forget the 2 lunch? That within a year of our freedom Director Chatur- ij Doshi snapped his old shackles and renounced his e of H. M. V. He is no longer with Ranjit and has ome a successful free lancer. They say he is earning ear's previous salary within a month these days. That for sheer affection for a dead wife. Director dar Sharma can never be surpassed. In his new pic- e "Sohag Kaat". Geeta Bali the heroine, was afl'ection- ly named "Kamo" and thus the dear departed Kamla itterjee's name was once again re-echoed on the ■en. That at this rate. Kamla threatens to become our per- nent screen heroine and haunt our memory from day lay. It is a very touching tribute from an ever-lov ing •band who sees the dead one in every new living one meets. That the Pathan watchmen in Oomer Park don't m to appreciate film actor Karan Dewan s noble >rts at learning music. When asked about the " noise . y say "Woh fillum walla roz subah bomb marta hai. FILM INDIA Pagal hai . These Pathans must be chased out of India. They don't even know the "hero " of "Ratan ". That all the little children start howling and the dogs start barking in Oomer Park immediately Karan Dewan begins his daily vocal gymnastics. That is rather rough on our favourite hero who has ventured on such a risky enterprise. Let us hope, Saigal doesn't turn in his grave. The poor man deserves some rest the way he plied his golden voice for gold diggers. That film actress Snehaprabha. who didn't seem to care for marriages once, is reported to have fallen a will- ing victim to a Bengali pilot who seems to have made a safe landing, at least for the present. That film actor Kishore Sahu. ex-husband of Sneha- prabha, is reported to have given a reception and a din- ner to celebrate the marriage and the 24 who attended swore to remain life-long bachelors. Was the food so bad? That of all people, film actress Shanta Apte is also reported to have married someone outside the film field and become quite domesticated. Now there is no more need left for any fasting stunts. That instead of the brother, as in old times, now the new husband will drive our dear Shanta to the studios and look after the star's lunch and other needs. Pity is that it will mean going back to the "stables" as Shanta calls our film studios. That the Government of India discovered our two best experts to begin its career of producing documen- taries and newsreels — Bhavnani and Badami. In "Angan", a musical of Alam Art Productions, Sofia lias a touching role to play. 17 Equipment and Supplies for Every Theatre need fiperiZd ^ot, South \ CINE SUPPLIIS CINEFONES OPP. OPERA HOUSE BOM BAY- 4 telegrams: fonocine:bombay STH MAIN RD. BANDHI NA80R. BANBALORC ■ TELEGRAMS I FIIM0S0UR0 ;ptember, 1948 FILMINDIA buna has a nice role to play in "Dhanwale", a social picture distributed by Ruby Pictures Ltd. That Bhavnani and Badami themselves have not yet jovered from the shock of their selection and Rungtas, I Marwari millionaires, are shaking them up every day ?that the construction of the new studios may be taken hand immediately. That whatever Prime Minister Jawaharlal Aehru tudio owners will be busy using up all the raw stock and thus preach more morals through films. That at this rate we shall have another glimpse of Kam Rajya with film producers burning the incense of social morals and Minister Morarji Desai presiding as the modern Valmiki. That Keki Modi, the theatre multi-millionaire, who made millions despite the Excess Profits Tax, recently visited England to measure his nose length with that of Arthur Rank's. Rank's of course, ran out a few inches longer. That Keki's dream of becoming the Rank of India is steadily taking shape with "Baghdad-ka-Chor" in Hindi, picking Indian pockets wholesale. It is a tense moment between Dilip Kumar and Nalini Jaya- want in "Dil ki Awaz" a social story of Ambica Films. 19 For South India: EVERGREEN (-BANGALORE) LTD., 2, Seshadrl Road, BANGALORE. "^lephone : Telegrams : 2608 " EVERGREEN " EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 18/146 Papaiah Street, Gandhi- nagar, B E Z W A D A. Tele. Add : " EVERGREEN" For Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam dr Burma : EVERGREEN PICTURES CORPORATION II, ESPLANADE EAST, CALCUTTA. Telephone: 6158 Telegrams : " CINEFILMS " For Indian States : EVER6REEN PICTURES No. I, South Tukoganj, INDORE. Tele. EVERGREEN " EVERGREEN (BANGALORE) LTD., 154, Kingsway, SECUNDERABAD. Deccan. Tele. Add : PICTORIAL For North India: EVERGREEN PICTURE Chandni Chowk, DELHI. Tel. Add: Telep "DESAICOY" Telephone: 2 6 9 5 2 2 0 119 E V ERGREEN PICTURES SAKLAT HOUSE, 15, NEW QUEEN'S ROAD, BOMBAY. Telcgn •PICTO 1 Editors MaUl (In this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month— some anxious and several frivolous — it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are usually treated in an informative and humorous strain and no offence is meant to anyone.) >GESH CHANDRA WHIG (New Delhi) Does not your criticism strain your relations with ; film people? Only with those who can t understand that a critic has to earn his livelihood by observing scru- pulous honesty in his profession. VNORANJAN DUTTA (Bombay) Define desire and fulfilment? Courting and marriage. PRAKASH (New Delhi) What does a woman feel in the midst of a crowd of irers? She touches the ceiling even if it is as high as the sky. "Tired of ordinary gambling, the natives of the icific island, New Britain, have introduced a new inte- st into card games by staking their wives," is a news •m. What do you think of tlii~.y The race of Pandavas is being born once again. Man has always looked upon the woman as a chat- tel, and he often spits at his mother and proves his ingratitude. Will vou narrate an interesting anecdote of vour During my recent illness, I had a glimpse of Kingdom Come and I thought the other world looked more peaceful and happy than the one we are in. pAGAPPAN (Coonoor) Has God given us eyes only to enjoy the beauty of iture ? No! Also to see Indian film monstrosities. HAND BEHAR1 LAL (Delhi) Just as bovs gaze at girls, do the girls also gaze at ►ys? They do it without being caught. They usually look beyond you and then take you in the eye. Boys are crude artists. P. SHUKLA (Rewa) What was the happiest incident of your childhood? My childhood was one long nightmare haunted by the fear of my extra-strict father and a conven- tional step-mother. Even now I tremble at the thought of the million beatings f got. Some were well deserved but many were not. KUMAR (Kan pur) In England one is allowed to kiss a woman under ie mistletoe. What is the corresponding convention in idia? There is no official licence in this country but you can steal one under a staircase if the woman happens to be yours. KAMTA PRASAD (Cawnpore) Is education necessary for success in life? Absolutely.' There is no other alternative, if success is also to include some peace of mind. GULAMALI HABIB (Bombay) Are not the nationalist Muslims the unsung heroes of India? They are the living dead. They are orphans in their own land, orphans who pay for the sins of others. MRINAL K. DI TT (Calcutta.) Thousands of books are there from the pens of mas- ter minds of the age in which we get the clearest possible reflection of all anti-social activities. You cannot do away with those objectionable portions. But why are you so cruel about the films? Books are read by the educated who have brains to weigh what they read, even if it is obscene. Mo- In Kuldeep Pictures' maiden production, "Chunaria' Wasti if reported to have given a good performance. 21 FILMINDI A tion pictures are seen by the uneducated masses who have raw, impressionable minds and by children who are too young to have a mind of their own. Book readers are a very small minority in compari- son with the millions who see motion pictures every day. These millions need state protection from anti- social pictures which producers love to produce be- cause they bring in money quickly. MATHEW PAUL DANTAS (Sawantwadi) Can a son betray his mother? Nathuram Godse stabbed the very womb that gave him life. M. G. UTHAPPA (Bombay) What are the the sacred duties of a man and a wo- man in this world? To make this world a garden of God and grow in it the silent flowers of devotion and service to humanity. MANUBHAI SHETH (Ghatkopar) When were you down to your last pie? Approximately 14600 times, that is twice a day for 20 years. What attempt in your life turned out to be a fail- ure? Everything I tried so far has failed. After 14 years of "filmindia". our producers have not given us a picture for world competition. What characteristic of film people annoys you most? September, 19 j Their consistency in remaining stupid in a f\ changing world. MISS A. N. KHAN (Lucknow) Is the picture on the first page of "Editor's Mai yours? It wus mine in 1939. Since then I have not In photographed. No enthusiast dared to. Which were your best subjects in school? Cricket and loafing. I always stood first in tlv two subjects. ANIL PHOOKAN (Gauhati) Another little thing from the land of head hunte we are told, accompanied Protima Das Gupta in Bomb recently. What was she hunting for in Bombay? Heads. They are better shaped in this part the country than the semi-Mongolian nuts in y place. K. G. MATHUR (Meerut) Please describe your politics. Congressman by faith, critic by profession. How far has prohibition been successful in vour p vince? We have quite a few private distilleries 1 gue The drunkards have become manufacturers now a thus promoted their social status. At what age should a boy begin smoking? When he earns his own living. What are your views regarding temple entry? mcfcda t&cftfm&ftn, yotcti HOM E MOVIE but you'll agree, in the end, that you've done yourself a good turn by deciding to defer buying . . . till you can proudly operate your very own Cine - Kodak or Kodascope. As you and your family savour to the full the plea- sure that comes from reliving life's finest moments, as you thrill to each reel of good times recalled, you'll ■9 realise that the best has been well worth the wait. The world's most popular movie makers are now available with Lumenized lenses for better and clearer pictures. Register an order today, as a first step towards enjoy- ing your own Home Movies in glowing colour or brilliant black and white. KODAK LTD. (Incorporated in England) Bombay - Calcutta - Lahore - Madras 22 eptember, 1948 FILM INDIA 'istful, Gita Bali looks quite charming in Lokmanya Productions' first picture, "Girls' School". Rushing to break their heads over a stone. What is the difference between the dreams of a lOung girl and that of an old lady? The old one has dry dreams — dreams that don't weep. L M. JAY A RAO (Vizagapatam) I asked my friend to define "love". He replied, "A ittle bit of kissing, a little bit of sighing, a little bit of rying and a great deal of lying in bed constitute love." s he right my dear Baburao? No, my dear Jaya Rao. Your friend forgot about the hell of a lot of hard work that is needed to keep love burning like a flame and warming human hearts. '. SANG AN I (Amraoti) I overheard a communist saying that communists re the best patriots! A damn liar. L. V. G. KRISHNA RAO (Ellore) Do you attend night clubs for sake of entertainment? There are no night clubs in Bombay as far as I know. I thought the night was for resting. In your part do they use the night for loafing? :HANDARANA M.G. (Domhay) Is it possible in the present day world to go through ife without hurting someone? Even the greatest and noblest man since ages who hurt none and served all, did, in spite of him- self, turn one into a devil who murdered him. The present world is so bad that even virtue hurts. MISS MOHINI G. A. (Bombay) Was Shakespeare right when he said, ''Frailty, thy name is woman"? Shakespeare never said that, one of his charac- ters did. Shakespeare never perhaps believed all that he tvrofe. He created different characters and put different words in their mouths to make a drama. S. N. HARI PRASAD (Suva, Fiji) It may be some news to you to learn that there are goondas existing in this small colony of Fiji? / am not surprised. Goondaism is a part of every man. It is Adam's legacy since the Garden of I'd en. (,. K. ADVANI (Transvaal) \\ hy has Ashok Kumar left Filmistan and joined Bombay Talkies? Ashok Kumar has become a big businessman these da\s. His appetite seems to have increased. N. VENKATESAN (Negapatam) The greatest thinker of the present age, J. Krishna- murti, I am told, delivered some lectures on spiritual en- lightenment some time ago at Bombay. Did you seize this opportunity to ask him a few questions? Does he know a trick or two about paying the grocer's monthly bills? Once those bills are paid, I Bharat Bhushan, Krishna and Baby Durga look puzzled with some problem in "Batohi", T. K. Screen Classics' maiden screenplay. 23 FILM INDIA can also give half a dozen lectures on spiritual en- lightenment. A Hindu doesn't need a Krishnamurli for this. W ho is the richest man in the world and who is the poorest? Very recently, to be precise on the 30th January the richest man of the uorld died leaving behind his immense wealth to the children of God, while the poorest one is still working hard to increase his bank balance by exploiting his fellow men. G. V. BHARATHA RAJA RAO (Madanapalle) \\ hat do you think when you see a picture like '"Hamjoli"' wherein a pregnant actress plays the part of a heroine? / expect the baby to be born any minute and get disappointed not to hear its cry at the end. Kr. RAJENDRA SINGH (Agra) Did Adam and Eve marry each other? They had no choice. MISS FAIZ JEHAN (Madras) W hat will happen if men decide to stop shaving al- together? They will look like Sikhs. M. KUNHIKANNAN (Mettupalaiyam) W horn do you think the best leader in the world? MaKdtma Gandhi, who died leading and is still leading. Can the bitterest enemy be made a closest friend by non-violence? // death is a gesture of friendship we lost the soul of our nation through it. MISS P. MAHANTY (Masulipatam) Is woman a heart breaker or a heart healer? Man never has a "heart" for a woman. It is his "pride'' in which is reflected his affection for a wo- man. When a woman jilts, that pride is hurt, nothing happens to the heart. m September, 19 F. J. A. SOMJEE (Bombay) As soon as Sir Maharaj Singh took charge of post as the Governor of Bombay, his first 'official' vi was to the Victoria Gardens. Why? Probably to find out the exact difference t tween the inmates of the zoo and the people of l pro vince. MAURIS NELSON (Agra) Why don't we see ghost films on the Indian scree .1/05/ of our pictures are ghost films— shado of hopes that died during expectation. Which custom do you prefer: shaking hands, namaste? V ery often you have to wash your hands aft shaking them. "Namaste" is a safe affair. It hu, none. A. S. NAIDU (Seeimderabad Dn.) Is it correct to say that India was one nation befo the arrival of the Britishers? // was never a single nation since its birth as land. Don't you think that the Indian ladies' dress is mo attractive than the Western one? // is the contents of the dress that are importai I have seen beautiful Benarsi sarees wrapped like bandage over filthy flesh. W ho is the living incarnation of the soul of the I dian people? Gandhi ji. To me he is still living. NARI H. DASWANI (Bombay) A woman is most essentially a woman. She is i echo and not a voice; a dependent creature unable stand alone: a 'weaker vessel' whose privilege it is serve and obey; a graceful body with little physic strength? Where is this unique woman? I would like I meet her. fir* stone JS,^. CHAMPION TYRES 24 |»tember, 1948 ftVINASH (Sholapur) \^ hat do you do Mr. Patel. during vour leisure [ e? An intellectual worker has no leisure. He reads, writes or thinks. And sometime he falls ill with [ books by his side. .» I) Ml STAFA (Madras) Why is it that a man is more alive to his defects and ■ )erfections than a woman ? Man gets a sermon from the scriptures as well I as from the uoman. Daily doses give him an infe- riority complex. IS. TRASI (Bombay) I When Cupid's arrow pierces the heart, why do the ■ s go blind ? Those in love keep their heart in their eyes so that the beloved may not have to go searching. I liud \ an Assamese girl staying with me once. She was in love and her eyes danced carrying a heart in them I and she named it "Moni". That lias the name of the I khaki mug. 1 M VVAZEFF HUSSAIN (Masulipatam) Is rickshaw pulling a good thing? // has advantages as a ten-minute exercise for [ the legs and the chest but as a means of filling the stomach with food it is a cruel living. Did you ever woo a girl? vikant and Mohana, both newCODMn lo the M reen. make mart team in "Jagruti," Virendra Pictures' maiden social. FILM INDIA In Shree Ainar Pictures' maiden production "Shadi-ke- Baad" Jyoti's tear- are indicative of the woman's miseries after her marriage. At 44 girls are children to me. I am interested only in women. How do von differentiate between calf love and adult love? /// calf love there is plenty of noise and gig- gling. Adult love has poise and dignity. The first one is a nuisance to the neighbours, the second one an assurance. \\ hy is Naseem not to be seen nowadays on the screen? Her wrinkles are growing, and yet she is still reported on the screen. H. S. VENKATA RAO (Mysore) Were you a victim of a dowry demand from your father-in-law ? / never nailed to consult my in-laws. I took what I wanted. They adjusted their temper to my moods. What is your pledge to the country ? That I won't be a burden to the state. That I shall work hard and earn an honest living. S. RANGA MUDALIAR (Nagpur) Isn't it funny that after the 15th of August we have completely wiped out from our memory that the British- ers are our enemy? A free people can afford to be generous and even sentimental but the Britishers dont forget. They are more sour than before over what they lost. 25 ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS IT? f#T£KtV0V*Af /A/ DIRECTION & PHOTOGRAPHY R. D. M A T H U R MUSIC ANIL BISWAS For Pakistan ALLIED DISTRIBUTORS (LTD.) Mandwiwalla Building SARAI ROAD, KARACHI. fOR PARTICULARS ALLIED ART PRODUCTIONS LT.D 20 , HAINES' RB. MAHALUXMI, BOMBAY. ORAMS:-SAZSAN«£T • PHONE •- 401 9 8 Fnr C. P. C. I. HIND PICTURE DISTWUTOK LTD- ( Renamed from Allied Distributors) 9. KINGSWAY CANTT. JURBULPORE STORY 6f DIALOGUE: K II A Q U A N H US A I J\ m a. OUR NEXT: 1 • '* HAR-SlNGHAR m Written & Directed by: -M A H E S H KAUL 2.V I T T E F A Q " Directed by :— R. D. MATHUR Written by.—M. ZAHl|t eptember, 19i8 FILM INDIA ANOHAR SANYAL (Kampte) \^ hy is clothing necessary? To give nudity its thrill. H. MERCHANT (Bombay) \^ hy has a poor man more children than a rich an ? The rich man scatters his seed in clandestine sowings. MESH CHANDRA WHIG (New Delhi) What is the difference between a Mahasabhite and a ongressman? One is the death of the other. . NAGESH RAO MANAY (Bangalore) What have you to say about a person who begins to ig a well when he is thirsty? It is better than drinking without thirst and be- ing found in the gutter next day. Hate is like a loaded gun. What is love? A perfume spray. How do you like the word 'inheritance'? // means a bank balance to those wJio cant earn themselves — in other words bread for the lazy and lucky. Are you prepared to sacrifice your life for your mntry? No. I am prepared to live and uork for it. Too many people are killed in the name of the country. It is high time some are asked to live and work. nSS ELIZABETH D'SOI ZX (Bombay) Have you ever been broke in vour life? Ever? I have rarely been otherwise. HARAT BHL'SHAN SHARMA (Dehra Dun) Are you fastidious about your clothes? / was once but now my paunch gives a bad re- putation to the tailor. Are you punctual about dates, appointments and so n? / have quite a temper in this field with the re- sult that even women don't keep me waiting. They call me a minute-monster. . LALL (Lhaksar) What is the ultimate outcome of love in India? Universal love often succeeds in winning indi- vidual hatred. I have heard that you are very popular amongst •rettv girls. Would you tell me the secret? Pretty girls are often generous. They can afford to be. t. N. SAXENA (Bhiwani) What do you prefer: politics, social work, religious ife or hypocrisy ? Politics, social uork. religious life are all different shades of hypocrisy in the present times. I like film criticism. One can at least l>r honest in it- T. SUBRAMANIAM (Mad™*) Can we get another saint and holy man like Bapuji ? Not for another 2000 years. These types are very rare. They are made from the accumulated virtue of millions through ages. In about 2000 years, humanity collects just enough virtue to give us a saint like Gandhiji. MISS MOHIM GUL (Kuala Lumpur) ^ hat do you think of Protima Dasgupta's beauty? It is eclipsed by her publicity. MISS USHA (Secunderabad) W ill you please ask Sardar Chandulalji if he would like to adopt me as his daughter and give me half of his wealth ? Ask him yourself. Here is the address: Chan- dulal Shah, Shah Baug, Peddar Road. Bombay. But you will have to begin with debts. SINDHU TAMBE (Poona) A man though married to a beautiful lady is still seen running after nice ladies. \^ hy? A razor often needs a strop to secure a smooth shave. A. V. NARASIMHAN (Hyderabad Dn.) I have a very serious doubt. Do you think there are only seven wonders in this world? The eighth one, though monstrous and shock- ing, was discovered recently. The world found a human being to assassinate a saint who took in the filthy air of the world and breathed out blessings every time. N. Kabir learns a good lesson from Suraiya in "Gajre". Allied Art Productions' maiden picture. - ..- ~- 27 * GITA PICTURES * pteient DHANWALE Starring :- HUSNA ★ RAMESH VYAS VINA KOHILI ★ KESARI RAMLAL ★ DEWASKAR & Many Others. Musk : INDRA VAN Direction: RAMANLAL DESAI Produced by: RAMESH VYAS World Rights Controlled by: RUBY PICTURES LTD., AHMED CHAMBERS. LAMINGTON ROAD. BOMBAY 4. P. C. I. Rights With: — TALKIE FILM DISTRIBUTORS, INDORE CITY. J tember, 1945 F I L M I N D I A Df KER M. DESAI (Bombay) I How is it you failed to inform us, the readers, of lr "GvalanV" release in advance? "Gialan was in the hands of a bania who I wanted milk without feeding the cow. 33 lakhs of I Bombay's population did not know that "Gialan I was released in the city. Even I hud to buy tickets I to see the picture I had written and directed. ■ LVANI LAC.HMAN K. (Colombo) I W hat is vour opinion about those college girls who I their parents that they are attending college while I find them in picture houses with their boy friends? / sympathize with the parents for not having I had cinema theatres in their days. MS MONDIRA BOROOAH (Gauhati) I What is the present-day standard of measuring lead- ■tip — the number of mills one o\wis or the number of l?s one goes to jail ? Ao "goes" but "has been " to jail. "Owns " is all I right. IrI LI KAKOTI (Dibrugarh) I I have no sisters. Can you arrange to get one for The world is full of sisters vainly searching for V brothers. ■ iKlNTAl.A J A MK.HAND1 (Bangalore) I Mr. Patel. what is the difference between yon and a ■age Patel .' That was 'me' at birth. I'. B. >W OH (Negapalam) ■lave vou got belief in horoscopes? In this land of astrologers not one man could foretell Mahutmaji's assassination. He was the one man in India in whqm these sky-gazers should have been interested. In his death was involved the destiny of a nation mid yet M \l (Rewa) Are there no women saints in India? Almost every Hindu home has one. She has u god. an altar und a heart as an offering. ;. DESHP WDE (Delhi) When does Cupid become a villain? If hen his shafts hurt and turn dreams into nightmares. \ \K V\ I V( HREKAB (l)harwar) In India, who is the greatest business man so far as film industry is concerned ? It present. Chunilalji oj r'ilmistun beats all. They hal f their turns. iNUAR NATH (Ho*hiarpur) Whv are politicians seldom good-looking? Dirty work and dirty thoughts don't create handsome faces. R. RUPAINDER RAO (Hyderabad Dn.) W henever I read "filmindia"", something w ithin me urges to do you some good turn. But how, when and what shall 1 do sir? Never mind the turn. I accept your intention as an encouragement. NARENDRA SINGH (Meerut) Is God a thief ? He stole our only saint and left us with an empty altar. MISS SURAIAH (Dodballapur) W ho is the self-made man of the film industrv? All are self-made. That's one thing distinctive about our film industry. U hat they have made of themselves is altogether another question. 1st Prize: Hs. 100- to Md. Mavazeff Hussain (Masulipatam) ; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80,- to K. G. Ma- thur i Meerut i: 3rd Prize: Rs. 50,- to H. Nagesh Kao Manay I Bangalore ) : 4th Prize: Rs. 40|- to V. Subramaniam (Madras); 5th Prize: Rs. 30j- to Nirmal (Rewa) and 20 consolation prizes of Rs. 10:- each to the following: — A Nagappan (Coo- noor ) : hi. Kumar i Kanpur ) : M. G. I thappa (Bom- bay ) : Manubhai Sheth (Ghatkoparl; Miss A. N. Khan (Lucknow); S. N. Hari Prasad (Suva. Fiji); N. \ enkatesan i Xegapatam) : G. V. Bharatha Raja Kao i Madanapalle i : Marris Nelson (Agra); A. S. i Naidu (Secunderabad Dn ) : M. S. Trasi I Bombay) ; i H. S. Venkata Rao (Mysore): Bharat Bhushan Sharma I Dehra Dun i : Sindhu Tambe ( Poona) ; A. Y. NaraMmhan i Hyderabad Dn.) : Melvani Lach- nian K. (Colombo): Miss Mondira Borooah (Gau- hati i : X. G. Deshpande ( Delhi ) : Narendra Singh (Meerut) and Miss Suraiah I Dodballapur l . Monev Orders are being sent to the prize winners. 29 RS. 500 - in 25 PRIZES EVERY MONTH The following prizes are awarded everv month for questions which are considered interesting or elicit interesting replies in the "Editor's Mail". 1st Prize: Rs. 100|-; 2nd Prize: Rs. 80,-; 3rd Prize: Rs. 50-; 4th Prize: Rs. 40;-; 5th Prize: Rs. 30 - and 20 Consolation Prizes of Rs. 10 - each. A reader can ask as many questions as he likes. (Questions should be neatly written or typed if pos- sible. Lnless the letters are signed, they won t be considered. In awarding prizes the Editor s decision shall be final and absolutely binding and no correspondence w ill be entertained. The names of the prize-winners will be an- nounced in "filmindia" every month and the prize money will be remitted by Money Order. PBIZE WINNERS FOB SEPTEMBER overnment Sets New Production Code ! Filmindia's Ceaseless Campaign Bears Fruit! Irresponsible Film Producers Bridled! With a view to ensuring that the lema industry plays its proper e in the building up of a healthy itional life, the Bombay Board of lm Censors has offered detailed ggestions to the producers as to iw they should guard against un- althy type of entertainment being tered to the public. Although entertainment is the lief aim of a film, the Board avers, ly a healthy type of entertainment, lich deprecates what is harmful and romotes what is helpful, can be ex- cted to recreate and rebuild a peo- e and lead them to better thought id ultimately to a better life. Though it took two years for the overnment of Bombay to respond Tectively to our ceaseless campaign gainst bad pictures, we are glad to nd that the new Production Code, s endorsed by the Government, is lainly based on the Production ode suggested by us in our Ictober 1946 issue of "filmindia ". he new code is classified under the Dllowing seven heads: (1) Religions, Faiths. (2) Peo- ples, Ideals and Morals. (3) His- tory and Mythology. (4) Law. (5) Crime. (6) Sex. (7) Miscellaneous. RELIGIONS, FAITHS (1) Profanity to God, or to reli- gions or faiths, or to their founders or accredited ministers shall not be permitted. (2) All Religions and religious ceremonies shall be treated with res- pect. PEOPLES. IDEAL> AND MORALS (1) Ridiculing or indicting a whole nation, its race or people, its citizenry, its creeds, history and cul- ture, its national emblems such as Hags or national songs, its nation- builders, living or dead, or its accre- dited institutions shall not be per- mitted. (2) Costumes and behaviour of characters shall not be presented in travesties so as to cause ridicule, contempt or hatred for the whole class or community which the cha- racters represent. Months of patient and skilful work was required to prepare life-like models of Mahatma Gandhi in "Bapu ki Amar Kahani". a topical documentary of Famous Pictures. Recruit Kamal Kuniari c|o Hari Singh Bartaria, 28116 Phil Khana, Cawnpore, is just 20, educated and sings and dances as many modern girls do. She is anxious to act in a good company. (3) Noble ideals such as truth, justice, chastity, charity etc. shall not be ridiculed. (4) Salacious incidents, obscene, ambiguous and irrelevant titles, obs- cenity in talk or songs or gestures, distasteful or prejudicial to good taste shall not be permitted. (5) Treatment of low and dis- gusting aspects of life, necessary to show evil, shall be guided by good taste and shall not offend the finer susceptibilities of the public. (6) No picture which will lower the moral standards of those who see it shall be presented. HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY (1) Presentation of history, my- thology, legends and classical works shall, as far as possible, be based on recognised documentary evidence. If dramatic licence is taken in their treatment, nothing which will lower the respect of the public for the honoured historical characters con- cerned shall be permitted. (2) Characters of Indian or othet mythologies of gods and goddesses, historical heroes or of sacred per- sonalities shall not be presented in a frivolous manner. (3) Anachronisms in historical settings, costumes, music etc.. shall as far as possible be avoided. (4) Obscene or undesirable histo- 31 FILMINDI A September, 1 For Particulars : T. KB Screen Classics LAXMI STUDIOS ANDHERI • . 32 rical facts, or similar mythological episodes shall not be presented. LAW 1 1 ) Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation. (2) Travesty of the administra- tion of law or justice shall not be permitted. (3) No act, word or gesture which ridicules law or creates sympathy for crime against law shall be per- mitted. (4) No scene shall ridicule or produce total effect of bringing into contempt or hatred law-enforcing officers in the discharge of their duties. (5) No member of the public ser- vices shall be shown to behave in a manner derogatory to the honour of the service to which he belongs. (6) Scenes showing illegal pro- duction of drugs or traffic in forbid- den drugs shall not be shown. (7) Any scene showing or sug- gesting the use of liquor or display- ing of liquor, except to show its evil consequences is forbidden. (8) Wholesale beating, shooting or killing even as punishment for crime, shall not be shown. (9) Controversial politics leading to class-hatred, violence or disorder shall not be permitted. CRIME (1) No crime shall be presented in a way which will create sympathy for it or inspire its imitation. Sym- pathy of the public shall never be thrown on the side of crime, wrong- doing or evil. (2) Theft, pick-pocketing, rob- bery, dacoity, safe-cracking, mining of building or bridges, dynamiting of public vehicles, arson etc. shall not be shown unless they are ade- quately punished. Even when punishment follows, their gruesome aspects shall not be shown. Under no circumstance, an exposition of the technique or method of crime shall be shown. (3) The presentation of third de- gree methods, executions by hang- ing, decapitating, or electrocution, even as legal punishments, shall not be permitted. (4) Gruesome murders with ghastly wounds, causing excessive Recruit N. Nayeemuddin, Sales] Bata Shoes Co., Houson Road, lali, is 20, 5'-6", knows Urdu Telugu and can sing. flow of blood or murder by tort* such as strangulation, shall notfl shown. (5) Any form of brutality sift as excessive beating, whippik branding, or any other form of pH sical torture shall not be shownH detail, only symbolic gestures necB sary for the continuity of a stfl shall be permitted. (6) Planned murder even by vl of revenge for harm done, if prefl minant in plot shall not be pernS ted. (7) The use of fire-arms, daggM knives etc. shall be restricted I essentials. (8) Physical assault on woiJ shall not be shown. If at all itfl absolutely necessary for a storyl should be shown only in a symbol manner. (9) Cruelty to children and pi sentation of children in undesiraB environments such as gambling del house of ill-fame etc., shall not! shown. (10) Cruelty to beasts of burdp or other animals shall not be show (11) Kidnapping a child, at abducting a woman are highly unJ sirable themes; if, however, the are necessary for plot, the offendJ shall be severely punished. RV is a soft situation between Blianit Bhushan and Krishna in "Batohi", pro- duced bv T. K. Screen Classics. jds and details of committing kst crimes shall not be shown. (12) Blackmail associated with imoralitv shall not be shown. (13) Addiction to opium, mor- ,iia, cocaine or any other drug shall t be shown as desirable, or even ' lerable. SEX (1) Sanctity of the institution of image and respect of the home 11 be maintained. (2) Illegal forms of sex-relation- ip such as free love, companion- -marriage, or virgin motherhood all not be upheld. (3) Adultery or illicit sex-rela- nship. if necessary for plot, shall t be justified, not presented at- it ictively. (4) Incest, rape or sex-perversion all not be permitted. (5) Prostitution and procuration themes are undesirable. Trade in * >men, women selling virtue,' slavery men and women, or seduction of rls shall not be presented, unless ey are punished severely. Scenes houses of disrepute in their ugly tails shall not be presented. (6) Any licentious or suggestive erence to nudity, lecherous refer- ice to persons in life, in statues or pictures shall not be permitted. (7) Scenes of bathing in public baths or on the sea-beach or in river or a lake or at home, if necessary for plot, should be presented within the bounds of propriety. In no way shall they be shown so as to stir the lower passions. (8) First-night scenes, or bed- room scenes with men and women together in bed, shall not be shown. (9) Sex hygiene, contraception, scenes of child-birth, venereal disea- ses inherited or acquired except in films restricted to be shown to doc- tors, nurses or medical students, shall not be show n. (10) Scenes of undressing to the extent of impropriety shall not be show n. (11) Impropriety of conduct or gestures or dress of male or female characters, exhibition of their under- clothing or vulgar accessories of stage-dressing shall not be shown. (12) Kissing or embracing by adults exhibiting passion, repugnant to good taste, shall not be shown. Though common in western coun- tries, kissing and embracing by adults in public is alien to our country. (13) Very passionate love scenes, stimulating the lower passions or emotions, suggestive postures or ges- tures, shall not be presented. FILM INDIA MISCELLANEOUS Dancing. (a) Dancing is acknowledged as an art. It should, therefore be pre- sented beautifully, in keeping with the finer traditions of our country. (b) Indecorous or erotic dancing with vulgar movements of the body shall not be permitted. (c) Indecent or undue exposure of any part of the body in a dance ordi- narily expected to be covered, is strictly forbidden. LOCATION As back ground, brothels, houses of disrepute or houses of accommo- dation, booths or dens of thieves or robbers or opium eaters or gam- blers etc.. shall not be shown as de- sirable or attractive. COMIC SCENES Though light comedy of a humo- rous and wholesome nature is com- mendable, its ugly and vulgar pre- sentation is undesirable. STUNTS Incredible and crude presentation of feats in stunts shall not be shown. MIRACLES The use of miracles permissible in religious and mythological pictures shall, like the exercise of superna- tural powers be severely restricted. Recruit Dayal Swarup Matbur of Chatur Vilas Puota, Jodhpur, is 18. 5'-6", speaks Hindi and Urdu, is con- versant with music and has taken pari in school and amateur dramatics 33 RAMESH, BAIJ SHARMA, NARBADA, SHAUKAR, RAJA, KRISHNA DUGGAL, Mrs. PAL & SARITA CAMERA: SOUND: HA1VSR.A.T PATEL STCIRAM MEHRA Distributors : Delhi, U.P., East Punjab: ARORA TALKIE DISTRIBUTORS. DELHI. DANCES GIAN STJANKAR Controller of Production - LEKHRAJ BHAKRI C. P. C. I. National Talkie Distributors, Jaipur. Bengal : Hind Film Exchange. Calcutta. For othtr territories apply to ; KULDIP PICTURES LTD., Sarita Villa, 7 Bungalows. Andheri. MANOR AM f Sad and wistful, Manurama brings eloquent pathos to the screen in "Chunaria . a social story produced by i\uldeep Pictures and directed by Ravin Dave. To solve your housing problem ft ft PURREE STARRING. - KAMINI KAUSHAL WASTI SHASHIKALA DIXIT PRATIMA DEVI GOPE KIRAN AMAR RAM AVTAR RANE and CHiKOO the dog a hilarious hit at a red -hat current topitm Direction: AN ANT THAKURI Screenplay M. SADIQ Dialogue: AZAM BAZIDPUnjj Music. GULAM MOHAM/9 Songs: SHAKIL BADAYL| Produced by P N. A R O R A If Sole Distributors: Our Distributors in delhi, u.p. & E.p. Messrs. NATIONAL FINANCE OF INDIA LTD i and for your heart s delight I masival mmanvv hat has iron all heart* I IMPERIAL Bombay pJECTION, p DUTT * SCREENPLAY I il\LOGUE i RAJENDRA KRISHNA & (SONGS I QAMAR JALALABADI ■USIC: HUSNALAL & BHAGATRAM I Product by D. D KASHYAP I *\ keeping our silly minds too much on jurselves and on the impression we ire going to make on others. Just :oo preoccupied with self, that's that's wrong. We watch ourselves, ipy on ourselves, keep on thinking tvery minute about what we're do- \\ hat vou need, Miss D. is to relax bv caring less about how we do things. A little bit of the "I-don't- care" attitude never did a self-con- scious person a grain of harm. That isn't a jury of peers awaiting your entrance into a room. No one is sit- ting in judgment or trying to make you self-conscious. That's something you are doing for yourself. True, you like approval. Who doesn't? But you don't want to walk a tight- rope to get it. Simply wade right in and if you make a few mistakes, who cares? Laugh them off. POSTURE All this forms a good general rule for those plagued by self-conscious- ness, but it can do no harm to check up on your posture occasionally. The operative word here is occasion- ally— it is important to keep it occa- sional, and not make a fetish of it. How is your posture? Have you checked it by looking at yourself in a full length mirror? Poor posture is one of the worst detriments to looking graceful, young, and vital. It also gives you a larger hip and waist line, makes your abdomen more prominent. and prevents your clothes, no matter how smart and Veena Kohli goes gay in 'Dhanwale", a social picture produced by Gila Pictures. Recruit Prakash Bahadur, cjo Krishna Bahadur, Banker and Zamindar, Bhat- tacharya Road, Patna, is an under- graduate, 5'- 10", knows driving, rid- ing, swimming and has acted in school and college dramatics. He can also sing. chic they are, from doing their best by you. It is easy enough to acquire this absolutely necessary asset to beauty. Here's an exercise that will help you to get the correct feeling. It's best to do it in front of a long mirror so that you can see for yourself just what difference good posture makes to your appearance. Stand erect with abdomen well pulled in, chest up, shoulders back but not rigid. Put your weight on one foot and feel as though it were gripping the floor but let your body feel buoyant, as though it were about to leave the ground. Now raise your arms over your head. Stretch as tall as you can and push your head up. Slowly lower your arms to your sides and hold that position. Notice in the mirror how much smaller the waist line looks. Your skirt or dress will feel looser at the waist line. Walk about the room, keeping the same posture. Don't let it slump. Sit down and don't let go off that high chest position and that flat abdo- men. If you have allowed yourself to become used to a slumping stand- ing or sitting posture you may h; tired at first but get used to the way and you'll find it more restful than the wrong one. 39 Blue Art Pictures inq : PARO i> NIHAL £ KHURSHID Jr. ft ALTAF B ADRIPR ASA D ft ANWAR! ft ABUBAKAR RAJA SALIM & CUCKOO. fehscUd by: CPtoduaed by: \ SHAKOOR ISMAIL M. DEVjFE SHAUKAT DEHLVI iafoc]Uz SHEVAN RIZVI :ft RATNAMALA £ JAWAHAR ft ft NIRMAL KUMAR ft SHANTt MADHOK t> BABY KUSUM PR AD HAN ft BIKRAM KAPO< & TARA RAO. cSloiij,