FilmIndia (1946)

AT HOmE AND ABROAD PRODIGIES, EH ? Believe it or not, once someone becomes a film star, he, she or even it, is found to be possessing a million other talents in addition to film acting which, of course, is the least part of the he, she or it ("It" refers to a dog like "Rin Tin Tin" or some other member of his tribe). Now Shirley Temple, that Holly wood girl with chocolate-eaten teeth, is reported to have turned author. The Yankees don't seem to require a lot of English so they are publishing Shirley's stuff in book form. And the girl also threatens to write her biography telling us nursery tales of the first sixteen years of her life. We have Sabita Devi in our films reported to be writing poetry. Hal Ha! DEAD WOMEN Speaking at Lucknow on 17th Nov ember, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave a bit of his mind about art: "Art, if it does not spring up from the strength ot our nation, is a lifeless art; if it has no connection with the problems and realities of life, it is useless and dead like the pictures of women in the Ajanta Caves." But the Ajanta women are not so dead seeing that they still set the vogue for our society women in costumes and carriage. THE LION AND THE LAMB Producer-director Kishore Sahu made some national news when he induced Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Congress leader, to inaugurate the release of "Veer Kunal" at the Novelty Talkies in Bombay on December 1st. This is the second time that the "Lion of Gujerat" has allowed himself to be persuaded to grace a motion picture with his presence. The first occasion was at the time of "Achhut", a Ranjn picture. GOOD NEWS Believe it or not, Baburao Pai of Prabhat and V. Shantaram of Rajkamal met at the Taj the other day and made up their old quarrel. They are friends once again as they have been tor years before their unfortunate quarrel. Every one now expects some big business to result with the two together. PRODUCERS ALL It is becoming a fashion these days for film girls to turn producers. Protima Das Gupta's success in "Chhamia" seems to have encouraged new comers. Kamla Kotnis, a girl working in "Gokul" a Prabhat picture, is report ed to have taken a partnership with Prabhat in the Telugu version of the said picture. Wonder, whether Babu rao Pai has also a share in her share. HEAVENLY STAR Mumtaz Shanti seems to be gowig more and more shy and modest with more film experience. The other day she is reported to have told the director of "Dharti" to order Trilok Kapui off the sets. Trilok acts the hero opposite her and was in make-up at the time. The boy obliged to maintain studio peace. At this rate it will be difficult to get people to play opposite Mumtaz. Perhaps all this is being done so that Walli may be ultimately chosen to play the hero with her. It seemj that film producers are fast losing what little self-respect they had before. RACING STARS Actor Chandramohan looks fed up these days with his racing enterprise. His race horses don't seem to be running towards the winning post and his mi Ann Baxter, the sta* of "Smoky," a with her income seems to be running out feeding the brutes and backing them. Actor Motilal also seems to be sailing in a similar leaky boat. Very soon these boys will have to work for their living a bit more seriously than they have been doing so far and in times when pdcea are fast rattling down. BUILDER GOES OUT Secretary Ram L. Gogtay, who has been mainly responsible for building up the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association into an institution of country-wide prestige, is reported to have resigned from his post. It is said that he could not get along with some of the new members whom Gogtay refused even to recognise as producers. It is a pity, the Association had to lose such a useful and experienced executive. The Association will now need a lot of looking after if its voice is to be heard in the post-war reconstruction period. NEW PROGRESS Rai Bahadur Chuni Lall, the Kapuichand Brothers, M A. Fazalbhoy and some others are reported to have floated a crore of rupees worth of organization to distribute and exhibit Indian pictures in the principal cities of India. With the Rai Bahadur handling the executive side and Kapurchand managing the financial end, we shall soon have a chain of modern up-to-theminute theatres showing the best In dian film product. The Rai Bahadui 9K ■ M| 20th Century Fox picture, obliges fans autograph. 45