FilmIndia (1939)

Bombay Gallincj 2 his section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes w)iat lie likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry iveight because they are written by a man who knows his job. BRICKBAT—MADE OF SILVER. And so at last the National Studios Ltd., has started functioning at the Film City with the phantoms of a dozen production units to keep it company. I was, of course, not invited to the function when the "muhurat" ceremony ot Director Mehboob's picture was performed — who wants 'Judas' at such auspicious occasions ? But I hear a symbolic gift of a silver briquette was given to Mehboob by the Board of Directors. It is also understood that Yusuf Fazalbhoy presented Mehboob a copy of the book "The Indian Film" written by him and which Mehboob is now going to read to learn film production from his new boss. "AURAT" FOLLOWS "ADMI". As usual with most Indian producers, the National Studios also announced their production programme in the advertisement columns of a famous Anglo-Indian daily. From this advertisement it is interesting to hear that the title of Mehboob's first picture is "Aurat" (The Woman). The story is by Babubhai Mehta of "The Only Way" fame. According to the advertisement the cast was to be "The like of which has never been assembled before — The country's best talents will be in it." The whole industry was on tenter hooks to find who were these great artistes. Was it going to be a round-up of Devika Rani, Jamuna, Motilal, Baburao Pendharkar, Chandramohan — all in one picture ? Or was it going to be a group of sensational new "finds" destined for stardom overnight ? And now I give you twenty guesses to tell me who are in the cast No you can't guess them. They are Sardar Akhtar, Surendra and Arun !!! ATATURK, NOT A PASHA The same studios have also announced two other pictures, "Hyder Ali, Tiger of Mysore" and "Ataturk — Kamal Pasha", both to be directed by Mehboob. I think Mehboob is a good Director but I have serious doubts if he can satisfactorily handle a subject like the life of Kamal Ataturk. There are hardly half a dozen people in India who really understand the full significance of Ataturk's life. But anyone who has even a superficial knowledge of Kamal's achievements knows that you cannot make a film of his life on the lines of "Alhilal" and "Watan". Ataturk, will stand among the immortals of history not as a great Muslim but as a great liberator and reformer. By the way, are the executives of National Studios aware that the late Ataturk specifically renounced the old feudal title of "Pasha" which they foisted upon him after his death V "GUNGADIN" GAGGED! The Governments of Delhi and Bihar are to be congratulated upon their commendable promptness in banning the film "Gungadin" in their respective provinces. In doing so they have not only acted in accordance with patriotic motives of protecting India's honour but also acted wisely in "imperial" interests as such slanderous pictures can only widen the gulf that divides India and Great Britain. It will be a handsome gesture, indeed, if the British Government stops the circulation of the film throughout the Empire. If they want to have Indians as their loyal allies in this war, surely they won't like to have them depicted as sadistic barbarians throughout the world through the medium of this film. Incidentally, it will be noticed, I hope, that the ban on "Gungadin" imposed by province after province, vindicates the stand taken by this journal which had undertaken the responsibility of launching a nation-wide attack on "Gungadin". MORE IN SORROW In this connection, it is a sad commentary upon the patriotism of the Government of Bengal that they should be alone in India to have permitted the exhibition of this anti-Indian film. Was it not the duty of Premier Fazlul Haq, as an Indian and as a Muslim, to stop exhibition of such a picture ? A friend of mine who has recently returned from Calcutta and had the dubious privilege of seeing "Gungadin" is amazed that the patriotic Bengalis should have permitted this slander to be screened in their province. Even if the Government had neglected to do their duty, responsible nationalist leaders like Babu Subhas Chandra Bose ought to have come forward to lead a crusade against "Gungadin". In this connection, more in sorrow than in anger, I have to record that the Bengal journalists not only failed to emphatically protest against "Gungadin" but some of them went to the extent of issuing a certificate of merit to a picture which was described by an American critic as a "dirty, snivelling joke against the Indian people". I leave the readers to judge the "patriotic" conduct of these journalists. As for me, they make me hang my head in shame I 7