Filmindia (1941)

This section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, hut still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. Give Sir Rahimtoola A Taj Lunch On the 31st March 1941, the Motion Picture Society of India, founded by Mr. K. S. Hirlekar in 1932, completed its ninth year. The ninth annual report has not vet come out with its usual white wash of facts and fallacies. But a report is not necessary as the Motion Picture Society has hardly been doing anything useful for the Indian film industry during the last three years. Since the last three years one has hardly heard anything of the Society in the different important agitations such as, "Anti-Indian films" "The Iraq Film Situation" and "The Film Advisory Board Affair" and several other important problems which the industry had to face and solve during the last three years. We put this down to the entire lack of outlook and enterprise on the part of the personnel of the Executive Committee of the Society. Barring a couple of members, no one seems to have taken any interest either in the organization of the Society or in the betterment of the film industry in general. Take for instance the case of the Hon. Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy, the President of the Society. After the death of Sir Pheroze Sethna, the previous President. Sir Rahimtoola was requested to accept the presidentship of the Society in the hope that he would be able to devote some time to the betterment of the Indian film industry. During the three years that he has been there. Sir Rahimtoola has done practically nothing of importance to our industry or to the Society. True, he has always presented himself on ceremonial occasions and stolen the pride of place in formal photographs. But when it name to lead a protest regarding our film situation in Iraq, Sir Homi Mody had to be found to present our grievance to Mr. Caroe, the Secretary of the Foreign Department. The Hon. Sir Rahimtoola, though at Delhi at the time, could not find time, or perhaps courage, to advocate our case. Rightly speaking, such protests should have been sponsored by the President of the Society. But all that the President seems to have done so far boils down to a few minor deputations regarding poster taxes, import duties or the local censor board. What our film industry actually wants is a national recognition and a national platform. To obtain these, under the present circumstances, I am afraid, we shall require in future a bolder man than the Hon. Sir Rahimtoola. For the next year, why not request Sir H. P. Mody, who seems to be the only gentleman, bold and qualified, to fill up the vacancy created by Sir Phiroze Sethna, to be the president of the Society? But a gentleman of the repute and experience of Sir Homi, will only take up the affairs of the Society, if the present vicious circle is broken and he is assured Moti in "Akela" a Great India picture. 9