FilmIndia (1940)

August 1940 FILM INDIA fume to refresh the air. Fatmabi is all smiles and small talk. She knows that Taher, her bearded lord, had the better of the world during the day and she gives him a willing chance to have the better of her. She knows, it is the battle he wins but the victory is hers. For days, however, — to be precise nights — Taher is not himself and Fatmabi is worried. Narsi, the Bania has stepped between them. Curse him! Narsi of the Golden Talkies gets all the good pictures of the leading producers like Prabhat, New Theatres, Ranjit etc. All the poor pictures and second-runs go to Taher — now "that Bohra" to the film distributors. Narsi is making money fast and sure. TAHER GETS MOVING "I'll beat him" says Taher and comes to Bombay to see the Lalls and Bhais of the distribution trade. He has brought with him six big parcels of choice C. P. oranges. He knows his way about. Has he not been in the exhibition trade five years earlier than Narsi? He knows the men too. What did he care for them when he was alone in the field? But now, that damn Narsi! Curse him! He decides to tackle a Bhai and goes straight to his home. Bhai knows exactly when the cinemawallas come home instead of to the office. Bhai is a mere manager and has a large family to maintain apart from the overhead of a few evening drinks. Mrs. Bhai— the Bhai's better halfis also initiated into the intricacies of film booking. She has always a welcome smile for Taherbhais and Narsibhais that come along for "business." The conversation proceeds on traditional lines. "Oh, come Taher Seth", says Bhai the booker, "welcome home". The fruit parcel is pushed into position with the words "I thought you would like the C. P. oranges." "Oh, thanks! Why did you trouble yourself so much?" (To the wife with extra affection) "Taher Seth is come after a long time. Do you wish to give him some tea or not?" Reply from inside is proverbial, "Bhai (Brother) is come after a long time and he can not go without Behn's (Sister's) tea." Money has bridged the gulf between two religions, between two communities and between two towns. The Gujarati woman has become in a moment a sister to Taher, the Bohra. Money has brought them together. The stern necessity of living has knit them into an understanding. One of the Bhais — who robs both the distributor and the exhibitor "How is business Taher Seth?" That is a feeler. "Too bad, since you lost interest in me." "But Taher Seth, Narsidas has a better theatre and naturally he gets my pictures." "But I'll be ruined at this rate Bhai. If you like I'll keep a percentage for you." Bhai laughs at this. He knows his game well. ' Percentage? How can I know what you actually get there? "Alright, if you don't trust me, I shall pay you Rs. 100 for each picture. Here's Rs. 300 for the next three? He places three hundred-rupee notes prominently before Bhai. Bhai looks round the room. So many things are needed for a comfortable living. Well, well, one must live. Taher. the Bohra has won one battle against Narsi, the Bania. Taher goes on his other calls. Out of six he wins three rounds. He is now even with Narsi and he returns home with pictures of three companies for his theatre and is better equipped for his competition with Narsi the Bania. NARSI IS PUZZLED That day Narsi, the Bania can not understand why Taher, the Bohra is moving about with an extra swagger and a smile lurking in the corner of his mouth. A week later Taher the Bohri is seen puting up the poster of a picture at the Royal Cinema. That picture was to come at the Golden Talkies. A local idler watches Taher and wonders how Narsi could let go a picture like that. The news spreads that Narsi is not going to get good pictures in future and that Taher has bought them all outright. Narsi doesn't believe the news but when he himself passes in a tonga across the Royal Cinema, he sees the poster. The news is too true. He writes an urgent letter to the film distributor. He remonstrates and is told that Taher, the Bohri has given to the film distributor a minimum guarantee — much more money than the share Narsi ever gave. THE SUPREME WEAPON Minimum Guarantee! What in thp devil is that? His Jack-of-all-trades 51