FilmIndia (Dec 1937 - Apr 1938)

FILMINDIA VOL. 3 No. 9 The songs of Ashalata have been taken by the "play-hack" system, which process I have explained earlier in these columns. From: N.H.Z. (Allahabad). In which of the two arts— direction and acting—is Mr. Barua more competent? He is competent in both, but more so in direction. Do you believe that the Bombay Talkies are acting rather unwisely in producing pictures so quickly? I don't because they are maintaining a top heavy expense every month, and if they are ever to submit a plus report to their directors, they must put some more speed in their production. The greatest mistake which they are, however, committing is in concentrating on a single artiste. Why no Indian film producers ever care to make short educational films? Because most of them are themselves uneducated and they can only produce something which they themselves can understand. From: B.S.B. (Bangalore). I wonder why the Directors themselves act in the pictures? Perhaps to establish new traditions in aping. From: Bekhabar (Shajahanpur). Where is Shanta Kumari of "Khune Nahaq" fame? She is keeping house and cooking meals for Recordist Y. S. Kothare at Poona. A wise girl to keep the home fires burning. From: J. S. S. (Bareilly). What languages can the following Directors speak and understand easily:— 1. Mr. M. Bhavnani, 2. Mr. Chandulal Shah. 3. Mr. P. C. Barua, 4. C. M. Luhar. As far as 1 know these people speak the following languages, but I can't say whether they understand what they speak. 1. English and Sindhi, 2. Gujerathi and English, 3. Bengali and English, 4. Gujerathi and English. What sort of relation exists between the hero and the heroine after studio hours? Does it depend upon the discretion of the director or upon the will of the heroine? I can't understand what exactly you mean, as your question is not clear and precise. However, if you mean "good relations" they will always depend upon the will of the heroine — she beiny a woman who always has the last word. Why do actresses in general become fatter and ugly, within the first few years of their career/ Because they live on the producers? How old is Miss Padma these days and excuse me for bad manners to ask how much is she getting? A woman is as old as she looks, and this girl must be about twenty three years old. By the time you read this she will be a month older. As regards her salary she just gets what she deserves, provided she gets it at all. From: N.D.G. (Katni). In most of the Ran jit pictures I find the repetition of plot, dialogues and scenes, which strikes me as rather monotonous. Why do these people not try to improve by trying new stories and new talent for their pictures? When people suffer from monomania, they become slaves to a certain idea. If you tell them to improve they just won't listen. As they are paying for the game, why should we worry. From: A.R.M. (Ajmere). I have all the qualifications of an actor and I want to know how I can join the cinema line as such. Different men different methods! I shall tell you how some of the present day actors have got into it and you may choose your own way. Method No. 1. This kind almost usually has a good looking sister or a closely related beautiful female to chaperon and sponsor the claims of the candidate. Thus prosecuted, the producer becomes an easy catch. Method No. 2. After finding a tin god from amongst the distributors — mind you, he must have a big voice which can be heard a mile away — all that is to be done is to act as his ward and throw yourself on his tender mercies if necessary by cleaning utensils in his house and giving him a massage at late hours in the night, till this person takes you to a producer and dumps you as a birthday present on him. I know two such actors who have climbed to fame effectively this way. Method No. 3. Knocking about and around the studio for months and throwing disarming smiles all about till you get one in the eye of some director who looks at you suspiciously for months. One of the primary things you will have to do for him is to buy his 'pan' and knock about with his love letters. Method No. 4. Get into the house of some successful heroine, and if you catch her eye for your looks climb to stardom with the help of her sari. Method No. 5. Write a straightforward application to the studio proprietor and wait for (lie reply that never comes. 16