Filmindia (1941)

OUR REVIEW K. Hhmad Hbbas Hits The Bull's Eye **naya Sansar" Becomes Rnother Hit Renuka, Ashok and Mubarak Please This picture of the Bombay Talkies is distinctive for four different reasons. The first is that it differs sharply in the story content with the usual tiresome hocus given by the producers in their previous milk-and-water themes. The second is the author, Mr. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, sub-editor of the Bombay Chronicle who makes a brilliant debut as a screen writer with an undeniable purpose in presenting for the first time on the Indian screen a drama that has always been suppressed by a tacit armistice between ideals and practical life. The third is the return to the screen of Renuka Devi after a long time since her last triumph in "Bhabi". She looks more charrriing than ever before and has now, In addition, secured the elegant poise of a full-fledged artiste which she seemed to lack in "Bhabi". The fourth is the birth of a new Ashok Kumar, smiling, vibrant, debonnaire and carefree. In future, people will expect Ashok Kumar to play similar roles and not relapse into dreamy romantic grooves with non-violence as the sheet anchor. A NEWSPAPER STORY The story opens with Premchand an idealist editor running a daily paper, "Sansar" with the spirit and sacrifice of a crusader for social justice. In Puran he has a young chief reporter who, making the idealistic editor his own ideal, takes risks to expose several racketeers of the city. Puran is therefore both popular and unpopular at the same time. Premchand has a ward named Asha. Asha had been an orphan responsibility for years and Premchand had given her a home and an education. In his silent, strong way, Premchand loves this girl and had planned to marry her. But somehow he had never told her of his love or intentions. Then one day she takes up work in his office as a reporter and is understudied to Puran, the chief reporter. Puran and Asha are both rebels, of course, as strong as Abbas could make them. They clash and throw out sparks which soon take a romantic hue. The rainbow of romance is soon obvious and we begin counting its colours in sighs, looks, smiles and songs. In peculiarly Abbasian style, the romance is tender, gentle and distant. There are no rough and tumble close-ups, no all-in technique, no clinching and not even a distant threat. The NAYA SANSAR Released By: Bombay Talkies Producer: S. Mukherjee Director: N. R. Acharya Dialogues: Casshyap Language: Hindusthani Lyrics: Pradeep Music: Saraswati Devi & Pal Dances: Auzurie Cast: Renuka Devi, Ashok Kumar, Mubarak etc. Released At: Roxy Talkies Date of Release: 29th March '41 Story By: K. AHMAD ABBAS biggest tussle is all over a cigarette, removal of which becomes a big victory for the fair one. HIS CLASH WITH CAPITALISM As reporters, both Puran and Asha go through some interesting episodes. But in pursuit of his ideals Puran soon clashes with Dhaniram, a local racketeer, who wants to monopolise the municipal finances. His editor Premchand gives Puran his full support in his exposing tactics. Circumstances, however, conspire against this team of idealists and the press machinery is soon in the control of Dhaniram. A sensational exposui'e about Dhaniram soon compels Puran to leave the Mr. S. Mukherjee, the producer of "Bandhan" gives another tremendous hit in "Naya Sansar", a picture which reflects this man's great artistry in every foot of it. paper and Puran is now faced with the double mission of beating down Dhaniram and waking up the social conscience of his erstwhile chief, Premchand. Material considerations of life had previously compelled Premchand to compromise with his conscience. Just at this time, Asha, overwhelmed by the generosity of Premchand, accepts his proposal to marry him. The news almost throws Puran's life out of gear. He decides to devote his life to public service. His attempts to buy a printing treadle and start a paper become abortive till Asha, unknown to him, gives a necklace as security for the press to the machinery dealer. At last Puran comes out with his one-sheet daily called "Naya Sansar" in which he starts with one exposure after another to the utter annoj'ance of Dhaniram. In Puran's crusade, even his old chief, Premchand, has to face the music. Dhaniram, at last, decides on other ways of silencing Puran. He decides to crush the man under his delivery van. Asha comes to know of this and warns Puran in time. But obstinate like a mule, as almost every idealist is and like the author of the story, Puran goes on his cycle rounds for delivery, where he meets with the accident. 26