FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

FILMINDIA October 1938 Patel waited on the President of the Bombay Board of Film Censors. A huge procession of all communities marched to the two cinemas in the evening and demonstrated exactly how much the people felt about the anti-Indian propaganda in the film. "DOWN WITH KORDA" "Down with Korda" and "Smash the Drum" were the two deafening cries of the huge mass of people that collected in the evening at the Azad maidan. Numerous speakers condemned the picture over and over again and it was decided to resort to peaceful picketing at the two cinemas. EXHIBITORS ADAMANT Several leaders approached the theatre owners and asked them to stop screening the pictures, but they did not pay any heed to the voice of the people. In the meanwhile "filmindia's" agitation with the Government was steadily taking shape and Government was inclined to favour a stricter control over similar films in future. "filmindia" appealed to the members of the Bombay Legislative Assembly and canvassed their support for short notice questions and motion of adjournment. 46 ARRESTS IN TWO DAYS On the 10th and 11th, peaceful picketing was resorted to at the two cinemas. But the police didn't seem to like this and then started the wholesale arrests of peaceful picketers. One after another 46 people were arrested and there ended the last show of Sunday the 11th. QUESTIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY On the 12th September the film "The Drum" figured in the Bombay Legislative Council. Replying to a short-notice question by Mr. Ali Bahadur Khan, M.L.A., the Hon. Mr. K. M. Munshi, the Home Minister stated "that the film "Drum" was at present being screened in Bombay. The film had been objected to by "filmindia" and "Bombay Chronicle". POLICY & UNDERTAKING Replying to a further questoin, the Minister stated that "it was the policy of the Government of Bombay to prohibit anti-Indian films. The films which were offensive to Indian national selfrespect, will not be allowed to be shown." To an enquiry from Sir A. M. K. Dehlvi, M.L.A., the Minister stated that "he was aware that there were protests against the film named, "The Tiger of Eschnapur". Government had instructed the Board of Film Censors in regard to this film and had asked them to give particular attention to this film and send a report to government together with a synopsis of the film and the Board's opinion.'' Replying to Mr. K. F. Nariman, M.L.A., the Minister stated that "the members of the Censor Board would look after national interests of the country." PEACEFUL PICKETING LEGAL Replying to a question from Mr. Ali Bahadur Khan M.L.A., the Minister stated that "it was not the policy of the government to interfere with peaceful picketing so long as there was no contravention of the existing laws." And on the day the "Drum Boycott Committee" was formed with Maulana Mahomed Irfan as the President. The Boycott Committee sent the following telegram to the government: "Re: Drum picketing 46 peaceful picketers arrested who were re FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY fused bail. Public feelings inflamed. Picketing will continue. If government considers picture objectionable why permit exhibition? Picture inflames public feelings by false and contemptuous treatment of Frontier Indians. Unless immediate steps taken situation grave and serious." "FILMINDIA" COMPELS ATTENTION On the 13th Mr. S. H. Jhabhwalla M.L.A. tried for an adjournment motion in the Assembly but did not succeed owing to the House having pressure of work. Picketing at the cinemas continued, "filmindia's" agitation drew the attention of the leading Muslim Baronet Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim. And in a letter to the daily papers Sir Currimbhoy wrote: "In my opinion it is clear from the film that efforts had been made to degrade the Muslim characters portrayed in the film of the Frontier Provinces" — "1 can frankly state that "The Drum" or any film of this description is definitely detrimental to the Indian national self respect. It is quite evident from the film that a continuous effort has been made in the various Muslim characterizations of the play to depict what will be termed not only unhistorical but uncivilised and primitive with a view for a definite anti-Indian propaganda". OVER SIXTY ARRESTED On the same day Yusuf Moledina sent another telegram to Government on behalf of the Boycott Committee: "Inspite of Government reply allowing peaceful picketing over 60 arrested. Police encroachment upon civil liberty unjust. Arrests still continue." HINDU LEADERS JOIN A huge meeting of all communities was held in the evening at the Azad maidan at 5 p.m. Messrs. Nimbkar and Purshottamdas Trlcumdas prominent labour leaders addressed the meeting condemn or,