FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

Sir Radhakrishnan On Indian Films Says Character Of Its UJcrkers Lends Status To Rn Industry (3y: Our Special Representative) Who expects Sir Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan to keep mum? For a man, who has talked his way to the top, his sealed lips at the premiere cf "Bharat Milap" came as a surprise to me. It was perhaps the first time that the grace of his distinguished presence was lent to an Indian picture. Had he gone a little further by speaking something on the occasion we would have heard words of wisdom for which the world so anxiously waits, especially when they come from the lips cf Sir Radhakrishnan, philosopher and universally acknowledged cultural representative of India. Already in the city, he had delivered the convocation address for the Women's University and beaten the wagging women at their own game of talking by a very thoughtprovoking lecture on wc men's education. He had also delivered an oration on the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and attended numerous other functions every minute of his three days' stay during which he had given the benefit of his great philosophy and study to the cultured crowds of the city of Bombay. But strangely enough, this great man of letters had made it a condition to remain silent at the premiere of "Bharat Milap ". and it was on that condition that he had agreed to attend the opening of the picture. That was certainly a step-motherly treatment given to our film industry which has already become perhaps the most potential force of mass education and mass entertainment. "filmindia" decided that Sir Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan shall not escape. And he had to be trapped at the last minute on the Railway platform while departing for Kolhapur. The only way to get him quietly in the midst of the farewell crowds was to smuggle myself into his first class compartment and there corner him Sir S. Radhakrishnan. author, thinker and philosopher. Vice-Chancellor o) the Benares Hindu University. and make him talk on an industry which has already cpened over 1200 class-rooms for our teeming millions rll over 1he country. Back to the wall, the philosopher had to open his sealed lips. MYTHOLOGICAL THEMES FOR ENTERTAINMENT "Surely, I like that picture", said Sir S. Radhakrishnan. referring to "Bharat Milap", "It is an adequate representation of the original story as obtained in the Rainayana and the ugh some liberties have been taken by the scenario-writer, I guess they were necessary for pictorial presentation. After all, a picture has to be made not only spectacular but interesting for the masses to be entertained." "I know mythological themes appeal more to our people in view of the inherent traditions of religion and devotion in the mind of the average Indian. Mythological pictures, therefore, in whatever language they be, have a wider appeal as the relevent incidents are recognis ed and appreciated by masses all over India." It is always difficult to interrupt the harmonious flow of speech of Sir Radhakrishnan. It is almost a crime. And yet I ventured a question inquiring whether he had noticed the omission of the p:pular episode in 'Bharat Milap' in which Bharat prepares to consume himself in fire because Shri Ram fails to return in time after the fourteen years of his exile. "You are right", said Sir Radhakrishnan sharply. "This was a dramatic enough incident, which they cculd have picturised. PICTURES OF DAILY LIFE And then the philosopher sniffed the air and I found that for the first time he had noticed the existence of smoke in the compartment. Tracing the source of the smcke I found a European Army Officer in uniform pulling at his cigar with traditional complacency. This 'empire builder' was unaware of the august presence of the great Indian philosopher opposite him. It seemed that even our discussion in English was lost on him and nothing could p;ssibly have induced him to withdraw his head from the Anglo-Indian paper which was giving the umpteenth assurance: "We shall hold Singapore till the last". "We are getting a little too much of this mythology" said Sir Radhakrishnan, probably having considered the cigar smoke as an inevitable sign of modern civilization. "We sh:iuld retain all our ancient ideals but they must find parallels in the life of modern people and the modern conditions. The film industry, or at least a part of it. in this country, must get out of mythology and saints in the various provinces. The industry is now thirty years old and it must give to the nation pictures around our daily life and its social and economic problems." 59