FilmIndia (1939)

FILM INDIA April 1939 being exhibited in several other countries of the world; and (c) Whether Government propose to take steps to draw the attention of the distributors and the exhibitors of anti-Indian films in other countries, who are operating in this country, and see that they stop this propaganda against India in other countries? The Honourable Sir Reginald Maxwell Replied: fa) Yes: but a revised version of the film was passed by the Bombay Board of Film Censors on 20th October 1938 and, so far as is known, no authority has taken action against this version in any part of India. (b) No. (c) Action is regularly taken in England by the Secretary of State to secure the modification and, if necessary, rejection by the Board of Film Censors of films offensive to Indian sentiment. In America we have an arrangement by which His Majesty's Consul at Los Angeles uses his good offices to obtain similar modification of objectionable films. The action is usually fruitful and does help to prevent the production of films repugnant to Indian sentiment. And I have no doubt that risk of the loss of the Indian market also is a considerable deterrent. ALL THAT GOVT. OF INDIA CAN DO Mr. S. Satyamurti: With reference to the answer to part (b) of the question, may I know whether Government will consider taking some action against the producers of these films in order that they may not be exhibited outside India? I can see that so far as exhibition in India is concerned, there is ample machinery by means of the Board of Film Censors to stop them but as regards their exhibition outside this country, will Government undertake to take adequate steps against the misrepresentation of this, country by means of films? The Hon. Sir Reginald Maxwell: Pretty strong pressure can be placed on these people not to produce objectionable films because the Board of Film Censors as a general rule will help the India Office In securing their non-production or non-exhibition, and the lead of the Board of Film Censors is usually followed throughout the Dominions: and therefore a film to which serious objection was taken would probably not be a paying proposition. We can put pressure in that way. Mr. S. Satyamurti: May I know whether any steps are taken by the Government of India, or will they consider the question of taking some steps to prevent the exhibition of anti-Indian films in countries outside the Dominions and England — such as America, Germany, France, etc.? The Hon. Sir Reginald Maxwell: It is extremely difficult to take any direct steps against the exhibition of these films in foreign countries outside the Dominions? I think the best method to pursue is the indirect pressure, which we can at present exercise and which does very materially check the production of these films, because, if the matter became worse, we should have to consider other action, but the matter has been gone into pretty carefully. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai: May I know if the film "The Drum" was shown in Delhi and after that there were objections shown against it and then the owners had to go away to Ceylon? The Hon. Sir Reginald Maxwell: I am afraid I have no exact information. On the 23rd March His Excellency Sir Roger Lumley the Governor of Bombay and Lady Lumley saw "Devata" a Huns picture at the West End. Photo taken on the occasion: 2nd from left: Miss Gohar, 3rd from left: Lady Lumley, 5th from left: H. E. the Governor, 2nd from the right: Mr. Baburao Pen dharkar, Extreme right: Sirdar Chandulal Shah. 34