FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

Studio Close U ps BOMBAY Bombay Talkies: The studios are busy taking indoor shots for "Vachan" a costume picture starring Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar. The picture is expected to be ready by the middle of August and immediately "We Three" of Sagar leaves the screen at the Roxy this new picture will be released. Sagar Movietone: The brilliant reception given to "We Three" at the Roxy has made the producers very enthusiastic. "Postman" directed by Mahindra is lying ready and will be released at the Imperial Cinema very shortly. "Gramaphone Singer" by Mr. Virendra Desai has also been completed. Director Badami is shooting "Ladies Only" with Sabita in the lead. Director Luhar has started a new picture the name of which is not known and so has Mehboob started another one The English unit led by Harindranath Chattopadhyaya is still resting on its oars. From the look of things they seem to have got a steady anchor tor sometime. Ran jit Movietone: As we go to the Press "Gorakh Aya" will probably be released at the West End Cinema in Bombay. This picture is directed by Chaturbhuj Doshi who has completed another one called "The Secretary" in the studios. "Taxiwali" is another picture that will soon be coming to the screen as it is lying completed. Shootings are being taken of "Sant Tulsidas" and "Achhut" and the latter picture is likely to be released sometime during Divali in Bombay. Minerva Movietone: "Jailor" will be on the screen by the time you read this. With Leela Chitnis in the cast and Sohrab Modi in the lead, the picture is expected to be a great success. "Vasanti" is another one with Naseem in the lead which is being shot and will be completed before the end of this month. Wadia Movietone: This studio seems to be doing very well from the commercial view point as they have given a month's salary as bonus to all the staff who draw below Rs. 200. Incidentally this is the first time that a studio has given a Mr. Bhal G. Pendharkar who directed Saraswati's "Raja Gopichand". bonus to the staff and thus shared its profits with the workers. Director Yusoof will be taking up "Romeo and Juliet", while Director Aspi Irani will be beginning on "Lanka-ki-Ladi". There is another jungle picture called "Jungle King". In the town "Rangilla Mazdoor" is giving a good account of itself at the Lamington Talkies, while in the studio Raja Yagnik's "Vijay Kumar" will be soon completed Imperial Film Co.: All the activities of this company are for the present stopped owing to certain financial embar rassments. If rumours are to be relied upon they are likely to resume their work in a couple of months. Krishin Movietone: In the second week of August "Zamana" a social picture starring Padmadevi, the Colour Queen will be on the screen at the Pathe Cinema. This picture seems to have been completed in record time by the Daryani Brothers and the story, which is unique and powerful is likely to give the brothers a good income in course of time. Ruby Mayer's Productions: "Prem Jyoti" is still being shot and goodness knows when it will be completed. General Films: This studio has declared its Intention to ring down the curtain on their present activities of production for sometime. The reasons for the same seem to be mysterious and let us help them to keep the mystery undivulged for the present. Kardar's "Baghban" has been released at the Imperial Cinema, Bombay, while Atorthy's "Pati Patni" should have been completed by now. "Industrial India" directed by Mohan Singh will also be shortly completed and with the completion of these three pictures, the Fazalbhoy Brothers will have got a rich experience in the vicissitudes of production. Prakash Pictures: Gorilla, the faithful monkey has done more than its bit to make "State Express" a success at the Super Talkies. "Poornima", a social picture is now getting the finishing touches from Mr. Balwant Bhatt, while Mr. Khosla will be taking up a crime story by the name of "Hero No. 1", with a couple of new finds from Calcutta to provide the romantic interest. A Tamil picture called "Toofan Queen" is now in the editing room and is likely to be released next month in the Southern circuit. With the dog and the horses thrown in, our South Indian friends are going to get something thrilling in the picture. -—47