Filmindia (1941)

September 1941 FILMINDIA reasons. One wonders whether we are living in the democratic times. It is high time that the Government of Bihar should revise their decision about "Bagi" considering the numerous obstacles the Indian film industry has to surmount for survival in these hard times. The Bihar circuit comprises of nearly 33 release stations and the average returns reach anywhere over Rs. 10,000/ for a picture. A small producing company like the Vishnu Cinetone can ill-afford to lose this money seeing the* present trade depression prevalent in the country. And after all what did "Bagi" contain for the Bihar Government to be so panicky? We hope we are not compelled to thrash this matter out in the Central Legislatures. CAPT. NAVAL GHANDHY Unnoticed and unsung in the distant corner of Tardeo, Captain Naval Ghandhy (not related to Mahatma Gandhy, except as his countryman) is busy shooting war propaganda films at the National Studios. We understand that within a short period of six weeks, this long-striding dynamic personality has shot over 40,000 feet for the Military Intelligence Department. The 40,000 feet will be split into several short films under some attractive titles such as: "Our Men of Steel", showing the warlike traditions of Indians since the ancient days, "Guilty Men", taking us back to the times of the Mahabharata and drawing a modern parallel with them; "Desh Seva". underlining the multiple duties of the present day citizen in times of emergency; "The Battle of Britain", recounting the brave battles of old when England asserted war supremacy at sea and guaranteed freedom and good neighbourhood in Europe and four more equally interesting shorts. One wonders why the Government of India did not think of Captain Naval Ghandhy when they were searching for Alexander Shaw for the Film Advisory Board. HORSE POWER VS. MAN POWER The Petrol Rationing restrictions recently enforced by the Government are going to hit the Indian film industry rather severely. All along the Indian film industry has been looked upon as an orphan child by the authorities whenever they have been approached for some relief or protection and this new war-time measure will practically cripple the already struggling industry. The average petrol consumption in a good sized film studio, for the legitimate purposes of business, can be reasonably placed between 800 to 1200 gallons per month. Now the studios are faced with the problem of meeting this peacetime necessity with a paltry ration of a little over 100 gallons a month. By their own admission Government departed on the policy of rationing petrol to build up a twenty-five Ular-Relief To The Indian Film industry! In the present times, increasing difficulties are being experienced by the Indian Film Industry in all its different departments. Owing to the peculiar technical aspect of the Indian Film Industry, the problem of its finance does not interest the average banker. However, the Mercantile Finance Co., Ltd., has specialised in this type of financing and now offers financing facilities to EXHIBITORS, DISTRIBUTORS and PRODUCERS on very reasonable rates of interest. Exhibitors all over the country can notv, if they wish, improve their theatres, install new equipment, offer better amenities to their patrons and we undertake to finance all these activities. • Write to us for more particulars : Mercantile Finance Company, Ltd., FAZALBHOY HOUSE, 9 Marine Lines : Bombay. 11