FilmIndia (1939)

%e EDITOR'S milk \ Readers " when you are worried " write to me. I ivill do my best $ in serving you. Serious matters will be treated ser flippant letters will receive like replies. — The Editor. 2 in serving you. Serious matters will be treated seriously, ivhile From: H. Venkanna (Kurnool) Can you state, why the Anglo-Indian girls, whose very appearance in the Indian costume and accent in Hindusthani music and speech are repulsive to the audience, are still thrust upon the people by the producers despite the existence of really better Indian talent lying idle in the industry. Some of the Anglo-Indian girls which we have in the industry make the producers feel like the heroes. The Indian girls cannot stoop so low. Well, as long as human Mesh has its craving, this problem will never be adjusted to the satisfaction of the audience. A better thing to do, will be, not to see pictures in which the star of your choice does not appear. Several of our producers also have their conscience in their pocket and unless you attack their pocket they won't realize the utter stupidity of using this half-baked Anglo-Indian talent when better Indian material is available. From: P. R. Subba Rao (Guntur) Who is the best scenario writer oj India ? From what I have seen on the screen, I think Devaki Bose to be the best. His scenarios are always better than his direction. Who is the better actress between Shanta Apte and \Devika Rani '.' On the screen, of course, Devika Rani. From: K. L. Narasimha Rao (Gudivada) Criticise the suitability of Motilal as the hero of jlhe New Theatres' socials. Suitability needs no criticism. Possibility does. Who did better work: Vinayak in "Brahmachari" lor Barua in "Mukti" ? From the histrionic point of view, Barua was better, though Vinayak's performance was more popular. From: Krishna Kumar (Agra) One of my friends imitates our celebrated stars ivery well both in acting and singing. He is handsome, \urill be a graduate soon and is a regular reader of your magazine. Would you recommend him to some iirector ? At present his only qualification seems to be his regularity in reading "Filmindia". Imitating is not acting. Every artiste should develop his or her own individuality in acting. I would suggest your friend first passing out as a graduate and then 'yell' if he needs me. What is your definition of: "Must Be Seen" pictures ? It means that the picture should not be missed by ardent film fans who believe in having a sensible fare for their entertainment. The "Must Be Seen" choice is given after a very careful weighing of all points which constitute to make a good picture, and this recommendation of ours should not be taken lightly. Very few pictures earn this certificate from "Filmindia". My paper does not believe in giving a good review to earn a page of advertisement from the producers. Even producers who do not advertise in Filmindia get a good review, when they produce a good picture. To cite an instance, read the review of "Pukar" in the September issue. And the next time when you read the reviews, remember that "Filmindia" always gives impartial reviews. Bari Didi" has not been a big box-office success like other New Theatres' pictures. Where in lie its defects ? The picture has no inherent defects in this respect. It was a beautiful picture, but our people have not yet learned to appreciate a good thing when it comes along. Its philosophy being a little high pitched, it went beyond the understanding of the masses. And the masses make the Indian picture a huge success. Unfortunately the masses have been poisoned by cheap stunt pictures produced not by industrialists but by opportunists and they have never been allowed to cultivate a taste for better pictures. It is necessary that some of our producers should observe a long range policy in their productions and try to give real quality pictures, for in the long run only quality will survive. What percentage does advertising add to the value of a fourth class film ? It only helps to make the picture a complete fiasco. It adds to the losses of the producer. From: Nuruddin (Dibrugarh) I am anxious to have Sitara dance on my next wedding day ? How shall I do it ? What do you mean by the "next" wedding day ? Are your wedding days as frequent as your birth days ? I hope not. I do not think Sitara is doing 11