FilmIndia (1939)

Studio Close Ups KAN JIT MOVIETONE: I "Sant Tulsidas" has been practically completed and is scheduled lo be released at the Royal Opera Mouse sometime in the month of Ivpril. The cast includes well Known stars like Vishnupant Paglus, Vasanti, Leela Chitnis, Keshavlao Date and others and the piclure which is produced in two languages, Marathi and Hindi. Is likely to create a new box-office ecord all over the country. I "The Kick" has been completed by Director A. R. Kardar while S'Good Luck" and "Achhoot" are half way. The studio is busy taking up a Punjabi picture called 'Mirza Saheban" under the direction of Mr. D. N. Madhok. The jartistes starring in this picture ire Gulab and Iladevi. On the sets we also find some T.elugu pie;ures under production and altogether this studio has become a seehive of feverish activity. 5AGAR MOVIETONE: While "Service Ltd.", is still runling at the Imperial Cinema in Bombay, "Ladies Only" was opened at the Pathe Cinema on the 16th February in the presence of the Hon. Mr. Morarji Desai. Revenue Minister to the Government of Bombay. A huge crowd greeted this comedy of Sagar's and it seems that the picture has settled down for a long run. At the studios, Director Virendra Desai has half completed "Sadhna" a social picture while Director Mehboob has practically completed "The Only Way". Director Nandlal is busy shooting a social picture the name of which still remains a mystery. BOMBAY TALKIES: "Bhabi" took the box-offices by storm wherever it was released all over the country. According to the publicity bulletins of the studio. "Bhabi" is supposed to have attained the high water mark In collections among all Bombay Talkies' pictures. The new social picture under production is called "Nav Jeewan" and Hansa Wadker who has hitherto been playing small roles in other companies has been given the golden opportunity of leading in this picture under excellent direction. The picture is expected to come on the screen sometime in the month of March. KUBY PICTURES: At a press show given of "Premki-Jyot", everyone welcomed the return of Sulochana who, from her excellent performance must still be called the queen of the screen. "Prem-ki-Jyot" has settled down for a pretty good run at the Minerva Talkies, and in the meanwhile, Mr. D. Billimoria Is preparing to produce another social picture. The subject in hand is called "Dilruba" and it is a light comedy essentially intended for entertainment. MOHAN PICTURES: "Midnight Mail" is booked for the Imperial Cinema and it is expected to be released in the first week of March. At Delhi where it was released it was well received by all classes. "Ratna Lutari" which has also been completed is also booked for the Globe Talkies in Bombay. Another thriller in "Chashmawalli" under the direction of Mr. Safadar has gone into shooting while "Jalta Jigar" a picture entrusted to Director A. M. Khan is being shot in the interiors. The company has also completed "Bhedi Kumar" under the direction of Mr. Chunilal Parekh, while Director Mohan Singh will be taking up a new subject in the first week of March. Altogether a very ambitious and crowded programme. EVEREST PICTURES: "Sitara" that splendid gypsy story with its novel music is fast nearing completion and will be soon on the screen in the month of April. Trial rushes have made the producers very enthusiastic with the result that offers are pouring in for provincial rights. In the lead we find some well known stars like Mubarak, Khurshid, K. W. Singh and Ratanbai. The future programme of the company has not yet been finally decided upon but it is likely that they will build a studio of their own. BHAVNANI PRODUCTIONS: "Son of Zambo", a jungle thriller is last nearing completion. Mr. Bhavnani himself is directing the picture and in addition to Navin Yagnik and Nayampally, we find Bimla Kumari and Sunita Devi in the cast. That ought to give the picture a pretty good start when it is released on the screen. PRAKASH PICTURES: Final touches are being given to "Hero No. 1" by Director Balwant Bhatt. It is a thriller with plenty of comedy in it and is fixed to be released at the Super Talkies in Bombay. "Leather Face", probably a talkie version of the old 'silent' produced by Prakash is another Animal Thriller after the fashion of "State Express". The horse and the dog are both in the picture with P. Jairaj thrown in for company. The shooting of this picture has come half way. "Kalika Ekka", which incidentally means. "Ace of Spades" is in the hands of Shanti Dave and the early preparations are being gone through. ROYAL FILM CIRCUIT: "Brahmachari" has proved a gold mine to these people who bought that famous Huns picture. Devi Films of Madras has already bought the South Indian rights for Rs. 15,251. while the Punjab rights have gone out to Best Film Exchange at Rs. 45,000. Another offer of Rs. 15,000 for the Bengal circuit will soon be closed. V. R. Mehta the enterprising proprietor of this concern is likely to earn a little over a lakh of rupees as nett earnings as a result of his enterprise in purchasing "Brahmachari" outright. In keeping with their usual practice, the Royal people have again purchased the rights of that successful cine-color picture "Mother India", which is running so well at the Royal Opera House, Bombay. The price is rumoured to be in the region of a lakh and fifty thousand rupees. And now "Mother India" will really run. 59