FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

Producers of "tarsi Bhagat" Present "Bharat fllilap" India's First Classic Picture The most important film news of the day comes from Prakash Pictures Studios — their great devotional-cum-historical drama "Bharat Milap" has left the sets and is now ready to make boxoffice history on the screen. Over two years in the making, and costing several lakhs of rupees "Bharat Milap" promises to be a land-mark in the history of motion pictures in India. For its theme it has one of the purple-patches of ancient India, the story of Rama and the sacrifice of his brother, Bharat. Director Vijay Bhatt has taken the best parts of "Ramayana" and moulded them into a matchless and memorable motion picture. For two years the entire resources of Prakash were concentrated on various items of production and piece by piece they have built an imposing structure of art and entertainment. A NEW STANDARD ENTIRELY In the year 1940, Prakash's name was marked out for their most magnificent production "Narsi Bhagat" and in all probability, Prakash's banner shall soon fly high in this year immediately after the release of "Bharat Milap"— their biggest hit on screenland of India. "Bharat Milap" is not the picture which is to be ranked among all previous mythological productions so far. It shall set its own standard. It shall begin a new era in Indian Film Industry. Even a child in India is aware of the holy name of Bhagwan Shree Ramchandra, his immortal sacrifice and his great love for his brother Bharat. The name of Bharat also shines in the heart of every Hindu as a symbol of brothr ly love and sacrifice. His life is a harmony of truth, beauty and sacrifice, and "Bharat Milap" is nothing but a poem vividly interpreted on the silver screen by a humble artist like Vijay Bhatt. People may call him the director. The story of "Bharat Milap" is based on Valmiki's Ramayana. the great epic of Indian culture and civilization. Mr. V. Aundhkar who himself is a great scholar of "Ramayana" is responsible for the original script in Marathi and Pandit Anuj the versatile screen-writer of many years' experience has written the dialogue in Hindi. A CLASSIC PICTURE Mr. Kanu Desai the famous Art Director of "Narsi Bhagat" has been again busy drawing marvellous designs for the sets and costumes of this epoch making production. Till now he has drawn more than five thousand designs of the various sets, pieces of costumes and decorations which are to be used for spectacular scenes of the picture. It will be interesting to note that before he began planning for the first set of "Bharat Milap" he was engaged in special study of ancient Archaeology, school of costumes, ornaments and other relics of the Ramayana age. In the cast of "Bharat Milap", Prakash presents big names — each one of them has the distinction of appearing in the boxoffice hits in the past. Never before such a mighty cast was seen together in one picture. The producers are really proud to announce their names — they are: Durga Khote, Shobhana Samarth, Shahu Modak, Prem Adib, Vimla Vashishtha, Umakant, Nimbalkar, Chandrakant, Kale, Pande, Amir Karnataki, Vasant Kanse, Kausalya, Madhusudhan etc. With such a mighty cast, enormous outlay in costumes and ornaments of ancient times, gorgeous sets, and spectacular mob scenes — all this means the astounding sum of rupees four lakhs; in other words, this will be the production cost of "Bharat Milap". Director Vijay Bhatt who has proved his genious and directorial ability in his last picture "Narsi Bhagat" is again heading for new laurels, and after the screening of "Bharat Milap" Prakash's name shall shine in the hearts of millions as the solitary symbol of Indian Art, Culture and Civilization. (Contributed) . Director Vijay Bhatt discussing the script of "Bharat Milap" with Mr. V. Aundhkar and Pandit Anuj.