FilmIndia (1939)

FILM INDIA Some think that the last portion of "Gopal Krishna" is bad because Mr. Shantaram poked his nose in it? Even producers have to maintain mythological traditions and they could not avoid the last scene. As regards the other point, Mr. Shantaram would always improve it by his suggestions and not spoil it as some people choose to think. From: Vipin H. Jhaveri (Surat). It is said that the intellectual development of a person depends on individual diet. What sort of a diet do our film stars take to develop their intellectual capacity? Seeing some of our stars and their physical proportions, it is obvious that they have never worried about intellectual attainments. The "diet" which they must be swallowing only seems to add to their weight. At present the only persons who need exercise any intelligence in their work are the publicity men of the studios. They have to add glamour and beauty to the stars — sometimes even sex — justify the criminal waste of money and energy by the directors — and prolong as far as possible the ultimate end of the producer. All this needs intelligence and these publicity boys are kept on real "diet" — starvation diet it is called. Suppose you are asked to act with Shanta Apte. Will you do so willingly or unwillingly? Willingly of course! But I am not much good at acting. But this is all a supposition as you have put it, so why worry? From: H. V. Gowd (Bellary). Please name some of the prominent Mahomedan actors, actresses, directors and producers. Actors: Kumar, Nawab and Mazhar Khan Actresses: Ratan Bai, Khursheed and Anwari Directors: S. Fatehlal, Mehboob and Kardar Producers: M. and Y. A. Fazalbhoy of General Films Ltd. From: A. V. Ramakrishna Rao (Tumkur). I want you to recommend me a couple of books on Cine Photography and where I could get them? "Handbook for Motion Picture Photographers", by H. C. McKay and "Film" by Sieveking & Morrow are two useful books for the students. You can order them through the New Book Company, Hornby Road, Fort, Bombay. From: M. S. Ramachandran (Madras). Why arc you not publishing photos from the new productions of Prabhat? Where are the productions and where are the photos? You shall have to wait a bit longer. Which is the better picture — Manzil or Mukti? I liked "Manzil" better. Didn't you? February 19 From: Krishna Rao Kisri (Cocanada). Can you tell me something about Trilok Kapu How has he done in the "Secretary"? He is the younger brother of the famous act Prithviraj Kapur. Trilok shows signs of becor ing a really useful artiste. He is enthusiastic ai modest and is willing to learn. Quite a good be he will someday be a top liner if he remains modest devotee of art. His work in the "Seer tary" was good and enterprising. From: Govind (Bangalore). How is that no pictures have been produced c incidents in our two epics — the Mahabharata and tl Ramayana? Where have you been all these days? Not oni have our producers produced every incident froi! these two epics but they have added some moi and thus improved on the works of Vyas an Valmiki. Seeing some of these additions, on wonders why the spirits of these two poets di not strike down the offending producers. Perhap they thought, like me, that things would neve improve. Poor poets! From: T. M. Hamsa (Madras). Who stands foremost among the cinema critics o India? This is an important question and you shoulc answer it as a reader. In fact, all readers shouli answer it. Why don't you all answer it — min< you, truthfully and frankly? I invite all my rea ders to drop me a postcard with their opinion i about the best critic in our film industry. , ■ m From: Shyam Sunder Bhatnagar (Santa Cruz). How would you like if "Gandhiji" were to ac as "Villain" in a national picture called "India Strug gles" along with "Miss Mayo" as the heroine, "Nevilh Chamberlain" as the hero, Bank of England to finance and "Jawaharlal Nehru" to direct? What about Mahomcdally Jinnah acting the blind singer? From: A. Purshottama Rao (Ponnur). Compare Shanta Hublikar with Shanta Apte in points of singing and acting? Is a comparison necessary, now that the famous Prabhat director Shantaram has chosen Shanta Hublikar to star in his new picture? Both the girls are in the permanent employment of Prabhat and who could assess their talents better than Shantaram? Surely Shantaram would not take a lesser artiste for his picture when a suitablB one is available. Shantaram's decision to take up Shanta Hublikar should be a pointer for yoni judgment. Besides, with Prabhat correct casting is more important than mere star value. Probably Shanta Apte did not have a suitable role.