Filmindia (1941)

Pictures lUakinc NATIONAL STUDIOS "Sister" a classic production, giving a social plot, and directed by Mehboob was released at the Pathe to a very appreciative audience in the first week of August. At the studios, a number of pictures are under production, some of t'he prominent ones being "Nai Roshani", "Nirdosh", "Kasoti" and "Roti". The last one is being directed by Mr. Mehboob and features that wellknown star, Chandramohan. It was a pleasant sight to see Captain Naval Gandhi, that one time producer, moving about in the studios in his khaki uniform and brass buttons producing some recruiting films for the Military Intelligence Department. This well known producer who hit the head lines in international papers once for producing "Sacrifice", is certainly a choice selection for this work by the Military authorities. RANJIT FILM CO. "Shadi" which was released at the Royal Opera House is going better every day. The picture has captured popular fancy and it has settled down for a long run. At the studios they are busy producing a number of social pictures and one of them which comes to mind is called "Mehman'. "Susral" a social comedy directed by Chaturbhuj Doshi has been released in the North and reports come to us that this again has proved another hit. With the Ranjit luck in the ascendent, it seems that everything that this studio handles is likely to be a success for a long time to come. BOMBAY TALKIES "Anjan", a social story, starring Devika Rani, is reported to have been completed at last and it is expected to be on the screen very shortly in Bombay. Producer Mukherjee has been working in the meanwhile on a new social story which will go into production in the 3rd week of August. This speed of work is in keeping with the best traditions of Bombay Talkies who do not believe in resting on their oars. PRABHAT FILM CO. (Poona) "Sant Sakhu" is now getting the finishing touches from Directors Damle and Fatehlal. People who had the privilege of seeing the preliminary rushes forecast a big success for this socio-devotional suoject. The next picture to go into production will be either "Ram Shastri" or "Kalidas", the latter one being a biographical story of the great poet of India. All on the quiet it is said that Director Shantaram is preparing to launch the production of "Omar Khayyam", if his stupendous requirements in settings and costumes can be managed within a reasonable time. PANCHOLI ART PRODUCTIONS (Lahore) That Punjabi social picture "Chowdhary" has been completed by Dalsukh Pancholi and it should be on the screen in the month of August. This takes Dalsukh Pancholi to his new Hindusthani picture called "Khan-Daan" and we are told that Mr. Ghulam Haidar, the music director is busy finding attractive tunes to compete with the musical success of "Khazanchi". With "Meena Bazar" another subject in view, the production programme of Mr. Dalsukh Pancholi seems to be altogether ambitious; and especially so when we hear stories of bringing Shanta Apte and Saigal to work for him. In the meanwhile, Famous Pictures, the Bombay agents of this company are keeping the flag flying by a continuous brag in praise of the pictures that are still to be thought of. FAMOUS ARUN FILM CO. (Poona) "Thoratanchi Kamla" was released at the Majestic Cinema to a very crowded house who delight in the revival of historical iricidents. This picture has become an artistic production in several respects, not to mention the superb framing of the emotional sequences. At the studios in Poona they are all busy with the shootings of "Daughter-in-Law", which will revive before our eyes probably traditional story in a new shape. NAVYUG CHITRAPAT (Poona) After the success of "Amrit", the social melodrama, which turned out to be an argument against prohibition, "Sangam", a new social picture which is a comedy is being shot steadily in the Kolhapur studios under the guidance of Mr. Junnarkar. This picture is expected to be completed by the end of September. WADIA MOVIETONE "Bombaiwalli", the Wadia thriller, starring 'fearless' Nadia and the singing Sardar Mansur, was released to a crowded house at the Super Several new cinemas are being built in Bombanj. This is how "The Light House" at Colaba will look. It is owned by the Associated Bombay Cinemas Ltd., and is equipped with the R.C.A. sound system. .Incidentally, this will be the first cinema in India which will have both 35 and 16 mm. projectors. 53