FilmIndia (Dec 1937 - Apr 1938)

The Editor s Mail Reader* "when you are worried" write to me. I will do my best in serving you. Serious matters will be treated seriously, while flippant letters will reeeire like replies: — The Editor. From: K. D. Sondhey (Ujjain). Where is Rajkumari of New Theatres? I want io know her age and caste? She has now become the "Raja" of Ranjit Film Co. As regards her caste and age ask Chaturbhuj Doshi, their Publicity Manager. He might even tell you her weight. From: V. S. Venkatachaliah (Bangalore City). Who is going to act as "Buddha" in Prabhat's forthcoming picture "Buddha The Peace Maker"? As it is a job of peacemaking, I think Baburao Pai will fit the role well. Let's wait and see. From: T. R. Krishnamurthy (Chepauk). Prabhat's have only one Shanta Apte. Why don't they manufacture some more? They have been looking out for the process of doing so but they have not found one yet. If you can help them by all means do so. Till then it must be a strain on one girl in the midst of a million lovers. Whaf is the remedy to forget Shanta Apte as [ have not passed a day without seeing her new picture several times? Take to drinks. If you are not in the prohibition area, I prescribe cocktails to forget aching memories. From: Kevalchand (Jodhpur). Who is the best and highest paid director from the following:— Badami, Luhar, Yakub and Mehboob? Badami, of course. From: Lakshman Simlote (Ajmere). It a person obtained a letter of recommendation from a producer's friend or from his benefactor is he eligible for a job of an actor? People once they become producers don't remember friends. A benefactor is a good recommendation, but better one is the mistress of a producer and the best of course, is a "mistress" of the applicant as she provides new experience. This method has been effectively employed by several actors who enjoy good salaries at present. Are you thinking of becoming an actor? Then look out for companies where these methods are not practised. From: N. H. Zaidi (Allahabad). Why do you feel shy to tell us the relations between Jamuna and Barua? Why should I feel that way. They ought to. Why is it that barring a few, no Indian actress ever cares to answer the letters of her fans? Between the producer, the director and the hero where has she got any time left for the fans? I sympathise with you. From: Shalini Vakil (Bombay). How is it that Sulochana and Madhuri who have been stars for so long are not so popular nowadays as Padma and Sabita are? They had their turns. The other two are having theirs. From: Vishva Nath Mathur (Allahabad). There is a rumour that Devika Rani is going to divorce Mr. Himansu Rai and marry Najmul Hussein. How far is the rumour correct? This is all nonsense. Tell me who set afloat this canard and I shall give him a box on the ear on behalf of old Rai. From your photograph in "filmindia" I find that you have got a very good personality. I wonder why some directors do not compel you to play the chief role against well known actresses. The actresses may object, besides the directors won't have any chance left. And I don't find much fun in mere acting. From: S. V. R. (Nellore). 1 want to know something about Yasmin. Where is she working at present? What a pleasant question to answer. I won't tell you why! Yasmin is an Anglo-Indian girl of 19, beautiful and intelligent and now she is working in "Baghban" a General Films picture, being produced at Film City. From: Kishu Kirpalani (Hyderabad). Who weighs more: Miss Leela, Miss Nalini Turkhad or Mrs. Shobhana Samarth? In estimate Mrs. Shobhana, in designing Miss Turkhad, in singing Miss Leela; in body none is much of a weight. 17