FilmIndia (1939)

On The Front Against Anti'Indian Films BABURAO PATEL'S APPEAL TO SECRETARY OF STATE Check Production of Slanderous Pictures In View of International Situation LONDON, (By Mail). During his recent stay here, Mr. Baburao Patel, editor of "FILMINDIA" and the President of the Film Journalists' Association of India, addressed a memorial to the Secretary of State for India on the subject of anti-Indian films which are from time to time produced in Britain and U.S.A. The following are extracts from the memorial: — "The Secretary of State is no doubt aware that recently one British picture and another from Hollywood— "DRUM" and "GUNGA DIN" — have been banned by different provincial governments in India. This was in response to vehement public protest as also is the protest resolution passed unanimously by the Indian Motion Picture Congress at its session in Bombay last April and under the presidentship of Mr. S. Satyamurthy, Deputy Leader of the Congress Party in the Central Legislatures. UNFORTUNATE EFFECTS After such emphatic protest one would have expected that the producers in this country and in America would register some restraint but I regret to report that the production schedules for the next year have not been revised and several Indian themes offering opportunities for further derogation ot Indian character are about to be produced by British and American studios. I need not in this connection point out to you how very unfortunate is the effect of such pictures on the relations between this country and India. They are, I may stress, specially unfortunate at this juncture in Indo-British history and in view of the international situation which calls for the closest sympathy and understanding between the two countries. With a view to prevent a worsening of the situation, I appeal to the Secretary of State for India, both in his official and personal Padma Devi and Ashiq Husein in "Actress Kyon Bani" a Federal Film Exchange release. capacity, to look into this matter personally and I shall be very grateful on behalf of the Indian Motion Picture Congress, to have his assurance that he views the submissions I have made with sympathy and will do everything in his power to discourage or prevent the production of such pictures. SUPPORT FROM AMERICA "Film Survey," monthly organ of Film Audiences for Democracy, an organization of progressive filmgoers in U.S.A. writes: — On occasion we have been criticized for our comments on most of the films about India. We have usually maintained that these movies were not only an untrue picture of these people, but furthermore, an open glorification ot the very worst aspects of British Imperialism. Gunga Din being the most recent example. Our critics have said ...... "You well may criticise these films but do the Indian people feel that way about it?" A very interesting letter we received a few days ago from Dharam Yash Dev backs up our point of view to the hilt. . . . Mr. Dev writes us: "These pictures, as you know, represent anything but India — and have given rise to a great deal of resentment and anger throughout my country. And this anger is ever growing. This misrepresentation and distortion of everything that is Indian is not only offensive to the Indians but also can have a demoralizing effect on the outsiders too. INDIA WILL BOYCOTT "Of course, as long as India is a subject country and is helpless to do anything 'strong' about it, this kind of propaganda will go on. Today she has only one weapon and that is of boycott. This has been tried and with certain success. However — this way lies disaster and bitterness. And today there is enough bitterness and misunderstanding between nations, races and 'cultures.' 45