Filmindia (1941)

January 1941 How is that we don't see any trade announcements of New Theatres in "filmindia"? Have they stopped producing pictures? Yes, good pictures. Which is the most progressive film company in India at present and what is the main reason of its popularity? The one most progressive in ideals is Prabhat. The other most progressive industrially is the Bombay Talkies. Prabhat has come to the top because of its sincerity of purpose and devotion to art without losing sight of the high purpose a film can be made to serve for the community. The Bombay Talkies demand attention because their activities are organized on a strictly industrial basis with entertainment as the primary aim of their productions. R. P. Jamuar (Gaya) What has happened to "Narayani" of Bombay Talkies in which Devika Rani was starring? The picture has been dropped for good. It had too many sad memories attached to it. Has Shantaram ever appeared on the screen? Uinpteeii times in the silent pictures. He was cast so mmiy times as "Lord Krishna" that he almost became a professional at it. One of the reasons, then, for giving him that role must have been his indifference to the milk maids round him. He has, however, never appeared in the talkies and I don't think we can risk him in the old role now. In which of the two pictures, "Civil Marriage", and "Soubhagya" has Snehaprabha given a better performance? I liked her more in "Civil Marriage." That role suited her bubbling personality more than the ascetic poise she was asked to court in "Soubhagya". Ghanshyam J. Adwani (Karachi) I am sure you must have noted with disgust the brazen-faced and absolutely misguiding reviews of Indian films on "The Times of India" screen page. The film critic— I am told she is a lady — obviously cannot fool all the people for all the time and now, I feel that the only reader she fools is — herself. N'o, she is not quite alone in being fooled thu^. Our producers and directors keep her good company. "The Times of India" is a commercial newspaper and does not worry abQUt reviewing', the Indian films correctly so long as the advertisements keep coming in regularly. And the producers are also not anxioiis for any criticism. As regards the person who writes, she is a lady alright — and will also make a stern critic if only she is allowed to write what she really feels about Indian films. But she is a working journalist and cannot afford to lose her job which has already been threatened so many times due to minor indiscretions. The best thing for a film fan to do is not to be guided by these reviews as the paper doesn't boast of any specialization in this particular job. FILMINDIA SHANIA HUBLIKAR & P. JAIRAJ COMING AT: IMPERIAL CINEMA G U J R AT FILM BOMBAY & C. P. AGENTS : CIRCUIT BHARAT PICTURES DADAR MAIN ROAD LTD. BOMBAY— 14 BOMBAY 4. AKOLA 19