FilmIndia (1940)

Bombay Galiincj 7 his section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes ufhat lie likes and about things which he likes-. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, bat still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. AN UNPARDONABLE INSULT When producers undertake to produce historical subjects like "Ghazi Salahuddin" they shoulder a grave responsibility. It is absolutely essential that such well known subjects should be presented as authentically as possible and an extensive research of the material available is necessary before the picture goes on the sets. This has not been done in case of "Ghazi Salahuddin" the widely published film of Supreme Pictures. Describing the death of Ghazi Salahuddin, Syed Ameer Ali in his book "A Short History of the Saracens" (page 372) says, "Thus died one of the greatest and most chivalrous monarchs the world has produced. Before his death he distributed large sums in charity among the poor, irrespective of any distinction of creed. His character can be judged by the accounts of his contemporaries, who describe him as tender hearted, kind, condescending and affable, full of patience and indulgence. He befriended the learned and the virtuous, admitted them into society, and treated them with beneficence. No man with any talent ever left his court without some mark of recognition. He covered his empire with colleges and hospitals." The famous traveller, Abdul Latiff who saw Salahuddin after the peace with Richard, speaks of him in the most enthusiastic terms, as a great sovereign, whose countenance "inspired love and respect in every heart. The first evening I spent in his company I found him surrounded with learned men who discussed on every branch of learning. He was engaged just then in building the walls of Jerusalem. He superintended the works personally and often carried the stones on his oujjj shoulders." This is the Salahuddin, which the world had expected on the Indian screen, and see what has actually been given, a poor apology of a great man divested of all his noble qualities which made him one of the greatest and most chivalrous monarchs of the world. The picture, as it stands today, insults this immortal hero of Islam. We should like to know who is responsible for this outrage. DISPUTED PASSAGE— A SECRET Considering the way Paramount's excellent picture "Disputed Passage" crept in and crept out pf the Eros Theatre without many people being wise to it, indicates that some of the local distributors of foreign pictures have yet to learn a lot about good showmanship. It is a pity that such a fine picture should not have been properly exploited by giving its theme and design the requisite amount of wide publicity. Here is an unfortunate example of a good opportunity lost. There was no sense in Paramount producing an extremely good picture and their distributors keeping it a good secret. AN ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY "Pukar" that tremendously successful picture of Minerva Movietone has brought to the forefront the enterprising family of Mody brothers. They are three brothers. Rustomji, Sohrab and Keki. Rustomji the eldest brother looks to the administrative side of the exhibition business and provides his moral support to the various enterprising plans of the two younger brothers. The success of the two younger brothers is an example of what dogged perseverance, cool determination in the midst of overwhelming odds and confident ambition can do to people in business. Only a few years back the Western India Theatres Ltd., was founded by Keki Mody. It had very modest pretensions then and 'friends' expected the concern to go the way of Madan Theatres Ltd., whose failure was still fresh in the minds of all. Keki Moly Sohrab Mqdy But today Keki Mody controls 27 leading theatres in ten different towns and let me tell you that everyone of them is a paying proposition. And this big business, huge for India and for one man, is due to the industry, integrity und foresight of one man,