Filmindia (1941)

PILMINDI A February, 1941 true then wTiat would be the fate of the films that may be produced after the departure of Mr. Shaw, assuming for the moment, that Mr. Shaw will atleast produce films acceptable to the British Ministry of Information? AND NOW THIS SHIVDASANI Another example of the Board's absolute methods is the appointment of the Office Manager. One Mr. Shivdasani who was once the manager of a film studio that failed and who was till recently working as a Salesman in the Agfa Photo Co.. which firm sold raw films to producers, has been recently appointed as Office Manager of the Film Advisory Board on a salary of about Rs. 600/ a month. This important post and at that high salary should have been advertised in the newspapers in the manner of the Public Services Commission and applications invited therefor. But the Board seems to be having its own methods of doing things and has proceeded with the appointment in a rather strange way. Probably afraid of being overhelmed by thousands of applications, the Board appointed a Committee to select a person for the post. The Committee which was composed of five persons, including the Government representative, evidently took a bird's-eye-view of the persons round the corner and chose three persons out of which one was decided upon by the Committee members and approved by the Government representative, Mr. Smith and that one was placed before the Board meeting and the appointment was confirmed. Once again I object to the procedure of this appointment. Why was this appointment not advertised in the newspapers and why were not the exact qualifications for the post defined? Again, what specific qualifications has Mr. Shivdasani which qualifies him exclusively for this post? As far as I know Mr. Shivdasani, and I know him personally, like Mr. Shaw he is a very agreeable person, but his only experience in this line has been the management of a short-lived studio, selling 70 raw films and having social contacts with the producers. Beyond this, I doubt, whether he has got any further technical qualifications to hold the post. How is he specially qualified to hold an all important position which demands an experience and a perfect understanding of the propaganda work in hand and in addition a knowledge of film distribution? As in the case of Mr. Shaw, is Mr. Shivdasani the only man in India, in the opinion of the Board, who can fill this post? I can point out a dozen men working in the industry at present who could have filled the post with greater qualifications. HERE IS THE WAR EFFORT Reverting to the programme of production as executed so far by the Film Advisory Board, I have to state unhesitatingly that the films so far produced by the Board defeat their primary purpose of propaganda and do not in any way contribute towards the country's effort to win the war. The future programme seems to be equally barren as is seen by some of the features expected to be produced: (1) "The Grand Trunk Road", showing the problems of transport, (2) "Thirsty Lands", showing the irrigation of the country, (3) "The Dak", mainly about the Post and Telegraph Offices in India, (4) "Hoog'hli Pilot", showing the romance of the river with its preventive services etc., (5) "The District Officer", a day in the life of an I.C.S., (6) "Four Hundred Million People", the story of the census etc. By what stretch of imagination is it expected that these subjects would in any way help the war effort? They may make good documentaries but I doubt whether they will in any way make the Indian people more war-minded. If it is the principal aim of the Film Advisory Board to produce "films of interesting war subjects", have these subjects in any way to do anything with the war? Other films which are planned are two-minute and fiveminute shorts with some Army and Navy subjects which wiU at the most act as just so many advertise ment trailers of the Army and the Navy. NO WASTE PLEASE The affairs of the Film Advisory Board are of a great moment to the taxpayers because the Board is expected to spend this year approximately four lakhs of rupees in production and distribution of short films of different variety, including the maintenance of the organisation. During these times of war when every rupee that we spend must be spent with the fullest justification and maximum advantage and must return to us its full value. It is necessary to see that at least the Film Advisory Board does not waste any money. This purposeful criticism is therefore pointed to avoid any waste so that the entire effort of the Board may fully contribute towards winning the war. In this connection it should be noted here how similar activities have fared in England. The "Economist", an English Weekly writing editorially in its issue of 14th September 1940 says: "so far, not one of the Ministry of Information's activities at home has won even qualified general approval, in official or unofficial circles; and the Select Committee's report on the Films Division is another story of inefficiency, lack of co-operation and misdirected energy" "The Committee considers the British Council's news reel, composed of selections from the five news reel companies, to be superior to the Ministry's (Ministry of Information) news reel, which is also distributed abroad, and recommends that it should be the official news reel for Empire and foreign countries" "The Committee further recommends that the Ministry of Information should abandon altogether any direct sponsoring of featui'e films, which are in danger of being out of date before they are completed." This shows in short what a muddle the British Ministry of Information has created in England where thej certainly know a little more than we do in India about these things. Writing on the waste of money in war activities "John Bull" in its issue of 9th November says: "in re