FilmIndia (1940)

(Zovnbaxi Qallin 5 7 his section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. Tiie views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written try u man who knows his job. THIS TECHNIQUE OF BREAKING HEADS Mr. K. A. Abbas in his timely article "Communalists. Keep Out" which appeared in the February issue of "Filmindia," has condemned the questionable activities of certain dirty communalists who have been responsible for introducing this despicable canker in our film industry, which had hitherto been free of such diseases. At this stage it is not advisable to expose the names of those culprits, but as Abbas puts it,, "We will fight like hell to keep the film industry free from the insidious communalism," we think every one who wishes well for the industry should contribute his efforts to keep the industry within its legitimate limits of art and commerce. We are reliably informed that after the publication of Mr. Abbas' article, some Mahomedan directors have actually gone out and formed a communal association for this very purpose, which we seek to discourage. At a private banquet ("Khana") of a couple of directors and their several standard bearers, inspite of the cool sea breeze, the night was made warm by expressions like: "Even this Abbas has let us down," Damn that Baburao Patel— only a broken head will teach him a lesson.'' When some one suggested that many educated Mahomedans truly believe in what Abbas wrote some one said, "Are they Mahomedans? I call them Kafirs". Some one said, "I have 500 Mahomedans in Bhendy Bazar and they will give their lives for me." On the other hand, several communal minded Hindus also seem to be considerably perturbed over Abbas' brilliant article. Incidentally they learnt of the Muslim Dinner and as if to vie with the Muslims arranged their "Cha pani" (tea party). There Baburao Patel had "let them down" though it was expected cf him to contribute his best efforts to counteract the "growing aggression" of Muslim talents. The second "association" hopes to do its best to counteract the activities of the first and vice versa. Is this not a shameful state of affairs for an industry? This disgraceful racketeering, goaded by personal jealousies, must stop and immediately. If it doesn't, "Filmindia" will be compelled to come out with the names of the culprits who seek to ruin an industry, that has hitherto maintained 60,000 honest workers irrespective of caste and creed. And if in doing so, Baburao Patel's head is broken by those 500 "mawalis" from Bhendy Bazar, it is well worth risking it. After all, Baburao Patel's head is not more important than the livelihood of 60,000 honest workers. Let it be broken to keep the canker of communalism out of our film industry. By the way, why not once in a way experiment with Ahmad Abbas' head? I am told, it is easier to break and the man is too damn polite even to object. THE NEW CENSOR BOARD After three years, a new Board of Film Censors for Bombay will be appointed to officiate from th° 1st of July 1940. During the last three years the Indian film industry has registered a lot of pro-res; in all directions, particularly in its ideals and in the social significance of its existence. To-day, it is an established industry with a stability that promises many more years of continuous progress. To encourage an industry with such a future, it is necessary that the Censor Board which plays a vital part in its existence should be composed of a fully representative personnel in whom the people of the industry will have complete confidence. The personnel of the 1937-40 board was certainly an improvement on those of the previous boards, but it is an undisputed fact that it was far far from the ideal. It is hardly necessary to criticize now the vagaries of the outgoing members of the board. They are going cut and let us allow them to go out as quietly as they came in and stayed in for the last three years without reorganizing the Bombay Board. Our duty is to get better men for the future — men with better vision and not half-tired old fossiles who lmd an extra fear to death and make old age a symbol of helpless senility. Let us have younger oeople with progressive ideas — men who will represent different sections of society and different phases of life — men who have travelled and seen things — men who have read contemporary thought and who 7