FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

FILMINDIA in which several aspects to which we have taken objection have been pointed out. When the picture was first released in Bombay it raised a storm in the city. Thanks to "The Drum", 83 persons are to-day under arrest. Anticipating trouble, the local distributors of the film circumscribed all chances of possible loss by releasing the picture at two theatres simultaneously and drawing huge crowds. But almost every one who saw the picture, attracted by the thundering publicity, advised others not to be misled by the boosting. We had anticipated the storm that ultimately burst and to prevent it we drew the attention of the Bombay Government on the 30th August, two days before the actual release, and requested them to stop the picture, as it was harmful to our national interests and aspirations. But the Government did not act. Probably misled by the advice of the executives, Government considered their silence as a stroke of wisdom. Protests after protests were submitted, but the Government remained adamant perhaps protected by the thought that a sub-committee of three members of the Censor Board had sanctioned the release after due consideration. These three members consisted of two officials, P. N. Chandavarkar, (Assistant Collector of Customs), H. V. Hampton, I.E.S., and the only outsider Dr. Kajiji. After full seven days' rush at the two theatres and an apathetic silence on the part of the Governments, people decided to picket the picture. And immediately the situation became grave, thanks to the studied apathy of our Congress Government. In replying to a question on the floor of the Bombay Legislative Assembly, the Home Minister said that "it was not the policy of the Government to inter with peaceful picketing so long as there was no contravention of the existing laws." 4 October 1938 And yet 83 persons were arrested. Over 300 policemen were posted all round the theatre to arrest the picketers by the Congress Government. No one knew this art of picketing till Congress taught it to the whole world. When the Congress was not in power, peaceful picketing was resorted to against the authorities, and the Congress protested loudly if the picketers were arrested. But to-day with the Congress in power the old weapon has become rusty and peaceful picketing seems to have become an offence. After these arrests who would swallow the Government assurance given in the Assembly? The show made by the city police was impressive. In fact, the police constables picketed the picture better than the picketers themselves. Three hundred constables armed with lathis, a dozen British sergeants, half-a-dozen sub-inspectors, a couple of inspectors, a deputy commissioner and the all important Commissioner of Police graced the spot where our people went to pray to and persuade their own countrymen to leave a bad picture alone and save our national prestige. How does this display of power by Congress policemen strike an Indian who has lived through the old times when lathi charges punctuated the hours of a peaceful day in the life of the city? The Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, the Home Minister gave another assurance to the Legislative Assembly:— "It was the policy of the Government of Bombay to prohibit anti-Indian films. The films which were offensive to Indian national self respect will not be allowed to be shown." And yet "The Drum" was allowed to run for over seventy shows continuously in the city for 14 days with thousands seeing the picture, and over 80 persons were arrested for picketing. We cannot doubt Mr. Munshi's patriotism as that stands well proved when we remember his old battles and the scars they left behind. But