FilmIndia (1940)

9 D Plea For Less Uulgarity In Expressions of Admiration Pity the Bombay postmen who have to (literally) bear the burden of the tons and tons of fan mail that pours in every day for the popular stars of the screen! This fan mail, I once imagined, was an encouraging evidence of the increasing intelligent interest taken by the Indian cinegoers in our films and in the work of our artistes. Since then I have had the doubtful privilege of going through the fan mail of at least two of the most popular stars in Bombay — a leading lady and a leading man. I have had also the opportunity of looking at some of the three thousand and odd letters that pour in at the "Filmindia" offices every month. I really pity the pcstmen who have to carry and deliver very often some stupid vulgar and futile correspondence. "Evidence of the increasing intelligent interest taken by the Indian cine-goers"? If anything they often provide conclusive evidence of the utter bad taste and abysmal ignorance of the people who write them! There are exceptions, of course. In one cut of a hundred fan letters, a star will come across a really intelligent appreciation— or criticism. And I can tell you that a surprisingly large number of our leading artistes would much prefer a sensible letter condemning their work to the obviously insincere mass of flattery that they receive every day followed by the inevitable demand for an autographed photo. And they would give anything to see that the letters they receive do not traverse the bounds of good taste and. while seeking to praise, do not actually insult them. "COME AND DANCE AT MY WEDDING ' Here is an example which I quote because it is typical of the general attitude of many fans who persist in entertaining false illusicns of the life and status of cinema stars. A college boy of 20 By K. AHMAD ABBAS (He mentioned the age in the letter) wrote to a famous film star, a respectable married lady belonging to a very cultured and honoured family, asking her how much she would charge for going and dancing at his marriage!!! I cannot imagine of a worse insult. Again and again I have been disgusted to read similar suggestions which arise out of the patently false and mischievous notion that film stars are no better than danccing girls who can be hired for a marriage "jalsa". It is such narrow-minded, snobbish attitude towards film artistes that is responsible for many educated and cultured girls hesitating to take up a screen career. And in the interest of a healthier atmosphere in the Indian film industry, let us once for all debunk and ruthlessly expose persons who betray such a low mentality. STUDY IN PSYCHOLOGY It is a study in human psychology— and. sometimes, physiology, too!— to read these letters. Professions of love, declarations of devotion, proposals of marriage, suggestions for amorous adventures, confessions of sexual abnormalities—these are but a few manifestations of this silly craze. "I can't live without you." "I always dream of ycu." "You are my soul-mate." "Let us run away together." "I crave for your kisses." The letters are liberally splashed with such purple passages. The poetic sentimentalism of the East is blended with the pornography of the West to produce this literature of love! In a way I can sympathize with the people (There are women, too, among them) who indulge in this stupid pastime. Living in a tabooridden society, sex-starved, denied the opportunities of healthy companionship, leading a colourless, drab life and fed on lies and halftruths about the life and character of people in the film line, it is not strange that they tend to seek an emotional outlet through such postal love-making to their favourite stars. I can understand the psychological origin of this madness but in no case can I condone exhibitions of bad taste. Even silly infatuation should not be expressed in vulgar terms. Some of them (who are often vain encugh to enclose their photographs) perhaps actually believe that these letters may lead to real adventures. "I am the son of a millionaire." "I have two cars of my own." "I can give you a diamond necklace." These are the baits often dangled before the 'victims' of their attentions. ARRIVED WITH BAG AND BAGGAGE! Nor is this craze restricted to writing letters. Indeed, letters are comparatively harmless as the star need not pay any attention to them beyond a cursory glance and, if possible, the despatch of an autographed photo which sometimes satisfies and sometimes further inflames the fan's amorous instincts. Much more troublesome and embarrassing are the fans who pester the stars with personal attentions. I knew of one case when a man travelled all the way from Punjab and, somehow finding the address of a certain lady star's home, arrived there with his trunk and created quite a scene by demanding to be accommodated there. The number of people who seek interviews with stars by various tricks is legion. A fan once actually posed as a salesman to gain admittance to a star's presence and then lest his nerve and could not carry on with the deception. Many of them can be seen loitering near the gates of studios, anxious to have a glimpse of some star and in Calcutta one such enthusiast actually tried to commit suicide by stabbing to impress his favourite. 43