FilmIndia (Dec 1937 - Apr 1938)

March 1938 FILMINDIA places wherever there was an opportunity, so much so, that I am touched to the quick. In me, I assure you, the world can lind the most able actor and I do not want to deny one to the world and at the same time deny myself the pleasure ol dealing with sweet Devika on the screen. So please let me know if the Directors of Bombay Talkies Ltd., will be in a position to accept my services. Your name doesn't sound very romantic. Anyway if you are one tenth of what you say then take a ticket for Bombay and present yourself before Himansu Rai and give him a chance to size you up. Remember that Devika is the "forbidden apple" of the Bombay Talkies Studio. From: "Bekhabar" (Lucknow). What about my contribution, "an open letter to Feroze Dastoor"? Feroze Dastoor does not read open letters. Send a closed one. From: B. R. Modi (Cambay). I wish to know the exact communities to which the following persons belong. Sabita Devi, Devika, Madhuri, Shanta Apte, Mot Hal, fayanl & Billimoria. The first three are actresses and the second three are actors. Therefore the first three are females and the second three are full blooded males. From: N. V. R. (Razole). Why don't you give some interesting news and photographs of the South Indian stars in your journal? Have you got any prejudice against them? On the contrary I think there are better looking stars on your side than anywhere else, though I can't say much about their acting. The trouble however is that I don't receive enough photographs of these stars from their producers. Unfortunately some of these producers have not yet discovered the invaluable advantage of star publicity. In your opinion which is the best talkie projector now available in the market? Considering quality, reliability and service, I think that the Bauer Talkie Equipment is easily the best at the price. Besides when you buy a Bauer you also secure plenty of personal interest and service from their agents which unfortunately is lacking in some of the others. From: P. C. Cash yap (Khurja). I have seen Ratanbai in many a picture but I have not yet found in ner such great talent tor music as described recently by the Lahore folks. Will you please tell me something of her career before and after joining the film industry? I don't know much of her career before but since her debut in "Raj Rani Meera" she has given good pertormances in several pictures. The talkies of to-day do not require any high standard of classical music and in comparison with other artistes who sing on the screen old Ratan has certainly some talent for music. What is your opinion about Mr. ]. S. Cashyap, the famous dialogue writer of Bombay Talkies? 1 think he deserves greater reputation and respect than he gets at present. Yes, Cashyap is a good dialogue writer and sometimes writes intelligent songs also. But who told you that he doesn't get what he deserves at the Bombay Talkies? I think he is treated well and paid well. From: V. B. Deshpande (Dharwar). Is it correct for an actress to act with one person in a film and with quite another in another film. Don't you think that a bad impression is created on the minds of the filmgoers? Yes, it is correct for her to do so as all the while she is only acting. It could however be all wrong if she did the same thing in real life. Intelligent film goers will always realize this difference in the essentials of the question. From: B. N. Mital (Allahabad). What is the direct way to join Prabhat and' whom to approach? I don't know what you want to join them for but the most 'direct' way is to take a ticket toPoona and spring a surprise on Shantaram. 1: don't guarantee any results though. 23