FilmIndia (Dec 1937 - Apr 1938)

Exploitation of Indian films Outside f ndia By Mr. Baburao Pai, Famous Pictures, Bombay. Everyone in the industry knows that there is to-day a widespread feeling of uncertainty and unsteadiness respecting the exploitation of Indian films outside India in places like Africa, Mauritius and Reunion, Fiji Islands, Singapore and British West Indies, where our films find scope for exploitation. This is certainly not due to the absence of opportunities — but chiefly owing to the lack of confidence and push on the part of the Indian Distributor, which account for the present unsettled conditions of this phase of his trade. Our film distributors — not to speak of the producers have only a nodding acquaintance of the nature and conditions under which our films are sometimes exhibited in these far off lands. There are very few or none at all who maintain a direct representation. A few who were enterprising enough to maintain something like that had to discontinue it with the advent of economic and trade depression. Consequently, pictures in some cases, are being sold whenever possible or exhibited in these countries through the medium of local agents, whose business is to procure pictures for regular screening in these places. There are of course a few distributors in Africa and other places for Indian films who have a trying time in the midst of foreign competition and Government restrictions respecting the reception and exhibition of Indian films. The customs duty, recensoring charges, railway freight, nonavailability of theatres, are just a few of the embarrassments. In 48 addition, each distributor has to become a member of an organisation (which controls exhibition of Indian films in Africa), and he has to screen his pictures according to turn. This is a serious handicap — since in some cases the distributors are obliged to return the film unscreened particularly if the film is rented out for a short period. When we survey this array Mr. Baburao Pai, a famous distributor and proprietor of Famous Pictures, Bombay of restrictions, encumbrances and obligations — it is no wonder that the businessmen in those places always have to tell you a very pessimistic story regarding business. Owing to these difficulties, the overseas market is scarcely in a position to offer a decent return for Indian films, with the result that many promising pictures are held back. In South Africa for instance, Indian films fetch only I7 per cent of the gross business made, out of which sometimes one has also to spend for re-importation of the film. What is it due to? The answer is, customs duty and Censoring charges which take away almost all the profits. Sometimes, the Censor Board is so strict that pictures are banned outright without the least consideration to the fact that an enormous amount of money has been already spent out of pocket by the businessmen for simply presenting the film for the Censor's examination! As a result of these blood-sucking restrictions and conditions, Indian films in South Africa very rarely find a way, although this is an important province well populated by Indians, who are unfortunately prevented from enjoying tilm-entertainment, which as a matter of fact, has become a sheer necessity in all countries. Occasionally, Indian films (in major cases only the best) are shipped through local agents for exhibition in the overseas market. These agents are self-centred and interested more in their personal gains than anything else. This practice has more or less become common and has placed the Indian distributor in a dilemma regarding outside business. There are still a few I think who contrive to sell their pictures outright which I consider quite fortunate — under existing circumsances, because a lump amount is got straightaway which may not be available by renting as usual. This also helps '