FilmIndia (1939)

Bombay Calling This section is the monopoly of "JUDAS " and he writes ichat he likes and about things which he likes. TJ/e views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. •owning Nationalism In A Cup of Tea The foreign distributors in India have now arted flirting with the Indian producers and disibutors. For twenty-five years, they had no use r our men. but now they have suddenly, rather 0 suddenly, to ward off suspicion, noticed the exisnce of our film men and are frantically arranging Jet-together" tea parties to win the sympathy of 1 men. This attempt is so obvious that one can almost e through the game. One such attempt was made 1 the 22nd February and the Indian producers and ■hers in the industry were roped in for the day trough the "good offices" of an Indian whose inrests are more with the foreigners than with his vn people. The pity is* that the guests who allow1 themselves to be thus beguiled and some of lem are shrewd men of business did not realize le intention of the ruse nor did they discover the nderlying motive of their man who persuaded them i go there. The scape goat who was perhaps made to pay the ill was banking upon the usual Indian sentiment > repay the expenses by an increase in advertising •venue. But the very next day when his canvasser as turned out, by an "ungrateful" guest of the preious evening, he suddenly realized that Indians had ecome more businesslike recently. The first "Get-together" left behind one stink hich in the present days of nationalism one can ardly overlook. And that is that one of our own len conspired to deliver us into the hands of the )reigners, so that they may exploit us the better. Another "Get-to-gether" Tea Party took place on le 22nd of March, exactly a month after the first ne. 22nd of every month is perhaps going to be tie fateful day, when bit by bit our men will be issipating their individuality till nothing is left to e proud of. A special feature of the 2nd "Get-together" was he unceremonius dropping out of the first time uest who had let the advertisement canvasser down. All these "Get-together" parties are a result of the intense agitation of "Filmindia" against the foreign distributors. For the first time in the undisturbed existence of 25 years, they are called upon to use their wits and two performances of their wits have already been given, with an Indian playing the villain's role every time. What better tribute can be paid to "Filmindia" than to find these Yankees running about with outstretched hands begging for a handshake with anyone that comes along, with readiness to drown his nationalism in a cup of Tea ? Let us wait for the 3rd "Get-together" and then we promise a wonderful expose of men and their methods. STOP PRODUCING CRIME PICTURE The ever increasing tendency among Indian producers to produce crime pictures is to be deplored. Our producers are on the wrong track. Instead of doing real social and national work by producing pictures that would elevate the moral standard ol our people and educate the nation on right lines through this all important instrument of visual education, they are falling over one another to establish a crime school in India after the style and fashion pursued by the Americans. Pictures like "Jagirdar", "Dynamite", Mr. "X", "Double Cross", "Gentleman Daku", "Master Man" and "State Express" are glaring examples of this new school of production now in vogue with the producers. It does not need much intelligence to imagine the sad effect of such pictures on the minds of our growing younger generation. Even our present-day professional criminals are taking pointers from these films, made thrilling by the versatile brains of the script writers. As a result of these dirty pictures, crime in the country has been on the increase. So many methods of committing crime and escaping have been shown in these films, that the amateur criminal soon becomes a profssional feeling himself safe in his newly acquired knowledge from the films. 7