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December 1939
FILMINDIA
possible arrests, the mass movements —Ah ! This time it is bound to be the decisive struggle for national liberation. Should not films contribute to it — atleast record it ? One Mr. Gunther comes here and takes pictures. One Mr. Lloyd comes here and takes pictures. Many enjoyed the news that Mahatma Gandhi was to be a subject of an independent film. I felt ashamed when I learnt that it is composed of films taken by Westerners !
Look here, you Indian technicians, what is your answer to this ?
There can be only one answer : "The length of the Indian film never allowed these activities to flourish in India."
This evil should not be there any more. War has introduced such conditions when even the producers must look upon this problem from a business view-point. The cut in the length will save the cost of the production. And in return they will be able to give more productions. The supply of the raw material has also become an anxious problem. In view of that also, this cut is inevitable and also desirable. Let this crisis be turned into a magnificent excuse to the public — the public
which shouts for lengthy films. And only they develop an eye for the brisk and smart 8,000 feet films, they
Leela and B. Nandrekar in Arun Pictures 'Gorakh' directed by Bhal G. Pendharkar.
will never go back to the 14,000 feet 'epic".
Only a pious wish or a suggestion through papers will not materialize this proposition. A lead must be taken by all the producers and a legislation must be effected upon this. It should be enacted through legislation that every exhibitor, along with his main programme, must supply side programmes— like news, geographical topical, travel talks, fashions, festivals, or even songs— yes, for those who are out to revel only in the feast of music !
This retrenchment in the length will in a timely way, compensate the retrenchment forced due to depression.
To sum up:
Let the producers summon courage and say : The film shall not exceed 8,000 ! Let the Government say "yes"' in support.
And the public will soon appreciate this move — and welcome it I
Gohar has said something and poor Charlie is frozen to death, or is he ashamed to lift up his eyes on the three tender sex on his left, we shall know the answer in Ranjit's 'Achhut* the Gujrati version to be released at the Royal Opera House during X'mas Holidays.
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