FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

Studio Close "Ups SAGAR MOVIETONE: The end of this month will see two pictures completed, namely "Ladies Only" by Director Badami and "Service Ltd.," by Director Luhar. "The Postman" is lying ready and is likely to take to the screen during the Diwali holidays. Director Mehboob's social picture is well on way, but will take at least a month and a half for completion. Tamil pictures under shooting are progressing very well and one of these pictures is likely to come on the screen during the Diwali holidays in the South. RANJIT MOVIETONE: After "The Cat", "The Secretary" directed by Chaturbhuj Doshi has come to the screen at the West End Talkies. Shooting of "Sant Tulsidas" is going at a great speed under the direction of Mr. Jayant Desai. In between scenes of "Achhoot" by Mr. Chandulal Shah are also being shot. Director Manibhai Vyas is shooting a social comedy called "Good Luck" and is likely to complete it sometime in the second week of November. Director Kardar has taken up a social picture and has already shot over 10,000 feet in the indoors. BOMBAY TALKIES: The new social picture under production is tentatively named as "Poisonous Smoke". The name is provocative and we are sure that producer Himansu Rai must have given an equally provocative theme to provide good scope for the histrionic talents of Devika Rani. "Vachan" has been received very well at all places and has proved a paying proposition. MINERVA MOVIETONE: "Vasanti" has been released at the Minerva Talkies in Bombay and seems to have been appreciated by the intellectuals in the city. At the studio, Mr. Sohrab Mody has started two pictures namely, "Pukar" and "Talaq". The cast in these pictures is very ambitious seeing that Mr. Sohrab Mody, Chandramohan, Naseem, Sardar Akhtar, Sheela and others are working. In keeping with the policy of the studio both these new stories are supposed to present new themes, which are expected to take people by storm. RUBY MAYER PRODUCTIONS: That famous star Sulochana is staging a wonderful come back in a new production called "Prem-kiJyot" with herself in the lead, D. Billimoria, Jal Merchant and Chandulal K. Joshi is a talented photographer. Some of his beautiful photographs appear in this issue and are worth studying. others in the supporting cast. The picture which has now been completed is expected to be a great box-office draw. Some of those who have been fortunate to see the preliminary trial expect this picture to be a great hit of the season. KRISHIN MOVIETONE: Director Ram Daryani has completed "Zamana" which was sche duled to run at the Pathe last month. Something seems to have gone wrong with the arrangements and the picture will now be shown at the Imperial Cinema sometime in the month of December. "Zamana" is a heart rending social story which condemns in no uncertain manner the dowry system existing amongst the Hindus and shows its evils in a way at once eloquent and pathetic. Padmadevi, that famous Bengali star has given a performance which is likely to linger in the memory of the people for a long time. In short, this is an entertainment of tears shed with intelligent understanding. The picture is expected to be a great social sensation. GENERAL FILMS: Final finishing touches have been given to "Industrial India" and the picture is now renamed "Nirala Hindusthan", which change we think, is for the better. "Pati Patni" which was left out from shooting for sometime has again been taken up and is likely to be completed by the end of the month. PRAKASH PICTURES: The high pressure publicity that has been given to "Poornima" has made the picture acceptable to the public. Written by a great author, this picture happens to be the first classic produced by Prakash. At the studio, they are all busy with "Hero No. 1", directed by Khosla. In between the shootings of this picture, the Tamil picture "Toofan Queen" is getting the finishing touches. WADIA MOVIETONE: The studio news say that there is a great race between Homi Wadia's 'Diamond Thriller' "Punjab Mail" and Nariman Ghadiali's "Jungle King". We think the horse "Punjab-ka-Beta", who was not keeping well has gone alright by now. Pramilla the new comer to the Wadia Studio is reported to have given excellent expressions and work and the studio expects her to be a box-office attraction very soon. 55