Filmindia (1941)

71.. EDITOR'S mniii [In this section, the editor himself replies to queries from the readers. As thousands of letters are received every month — some anxious and several frivolous — it is neither possible nor convenient to attend to all. Selected letters are xisually treated in an informative and humorous strain and no offence is meant to anyone.] S. A. Gaffar (Calcutta) Is Ashok Kumar, the Bombay Talkies' hero married or a bachelor? Fortunately, Ashok is a married man. R. L, Beharee (Vernlam, Natal) Are there any more Indian colour pictures besides "Mother India?" India has so far produced only two cinecolor pictures. The first was "Kisan Kanya", the second being "Mother India." After that the company that produced them — the Imperial Film Co., went into liquidation. G. S. Padakone (Calcutta) I want the private address of Mr. V. Shantaram of Prabhat? I regret, I can't give the private address of Mr. Shantaram. It is reserved only for private purposes, but you can write to him, c/o Prabhat Film Co., Poona and he will get your letter. 3. Patil (Lahore) Please tell me, all you know about Motilal? All that I know about Motilal can't be told. Won't it be enough to know that he is one of our leading artistes and is now working in Ranjit pictures. Mama Warerkar, a Maharashtian dramatist has criticised Prabhat's choice of "Omar Khayyam" and suggests their taking up "Meghdoot" instead? Because Mama can himself write "Meghdoot" while "Omar Khayyam" can't be written on milk and water. You should really not take Mama seriously. No one does and if you do. Mama will be the first one to faint. Like "Meghdoot", he is also a messenger from the clouds. A Rauf (Natal) Why isn't kissing allowed on the Indian screen? Just when they are so near it, the artistes are separated and the audience is expected to imagine the rest. Let me assure you that instead of seeing the Indian stars kissing clumsily, it is better to imagine the rest. And it is good that kissing is prevented otherwise there would be an epidemic of disease and even good boys like Prithviraj and Ashok Kumar would be affected for no fault of their own. M. L. Ali Khan (Hyderabad) I have heard that Mr. V. Shantaram, Prabhat's great director is a real star maker. If it is true I want to be tried by him? Right! He makes them with his vwn hands. But he has not yet thought of the male stars. K. K. Row (Masulipatam) I want to dance with Leela Desai as I am an expert in dancing. Can you help me? No, I can't. Apply to Mr. Chunilal Desai, Supreine Film Distributors, Main Road, Dadar, Bombay, and he can possibly arrange it. He is Leela's liaison officer for her dance tour. 1 hear that Sunita Devi (once of Bombay Talkies) intends to establish an art centre at Bangalore? 1 can assure you that it will be thrilling if Harin Chattopadhaya presides as the high priest. H. Bahadur (Allahabad) May I know to what community Miss Sitara belongs? To the illustrious conununity of Eve. That ts all I know and care for. E. V. Dhan (Trivandrum) Is Meenakshi in any way related to Mr. Winayak? Not, in any way. D. Patell (Poona) From the December issue it appears that Prabha is your favourite star. I see six photograi/hs of her In one issue. What do you like in herV I like her producer Sardar Chandulal Shah and our publisher likes the big balance in the Sardar's bank. Photos in "filmindia" are a publicity item and have to be paid for. As an editor, I have nothing to do with them. B. M. Setty (Raichur) Is it not a great loss for Sohrab Mody to lose Naseem? Probablji in personal prestige but not as a producer. If Sohrab can rim the show with Sheela and Naival, he can certainly run it without Naseem. 21