FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

April 1942 FILMINDIA Ranbir Prakash Saksena (Jhansi) I understand through the news published in "National Herald" that the Film Advisory Board has filmed the Jawahar-Marshall Chiang meeting. Is Shantaram to be congratulated? Your information is wrong. The Film Advisory Board didn't have enough courage to do so. Shantaram is to be blamed for not filming the historic occasion. Instead, he took the Chinese Marshal promenading with our stud-bull interested Viceroy in the Moghul Gardens of the Viceregal Lodge. Shantaram probably thought he was making news in doing so. Poor Shantaram, he was so near the Viceroy for the first time arid he was probably too thrilled to run to the other location where news was being made. The ChiangJ awahar meeting was, however, filmed by a foreign company — the "March of Time" people. Thanks to Jawaharlal Nehru! An independent Indian newsreel cameraman, who was in Delhi and was anxious to record the event, is reported to have been snubbed by Jawaharlal when he inquired from the great Indian leader about the exact meeting time and place. In "Badal", an Eastern picture, Radha Rani creates new romantic thrills with Zahur Raja. And yet the very same Jawaharlal gave his best smile to H. Maurice Lancaster of the "March of Time", who happened to be there "accidentally". Not satisfied with that Jawaharlal generously presented his sister Mrs. Pandit and his daughter Indira before the camera. It is unfortunate that his new son-in-law Feroze Gandhi was not near about and he therefore missed an opportunity of getting some splendid publicity in America. I am sure Jawaharlal must have shaken hands with Lancaster and thanked him for the kind American gesture. Jawaharlal is polite that way especially towards influential white-skinned people. He, however, seems to forget his usual good manners when he meets the members of the Indian press. Son of the late Motilal Nehru, adopted son of Maliatma Gandhi and the darling of millions, we can't complain about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He still remains the great leader— good manners or bad manners. But in choking off our Indian cameraman, J awahar has lost to our nation the record of an historic meeting and once again we shall have to see it in a foreign film— through the usual goodwill and sufferance. Our national leaders often make news for the benefit of the foreigners. Indians are expected to follow them like the dumb driven cattle. Well, this is India, a country of 330 million gods— smaller and bigger gods— but gods all. P. S. Balan (Bombay) Director Subramaniam has taken to acting. Do you think he will be just as good at acting as at directing? Friend Subramaniam's main virtue is sincerity of purpose and therefore whatever he does he will do to the best of his ability. And Subramaniam's best is far better than the best of several people I know in the South Indian Film industry. Miss B. Carroll (Lahore) There is a strong rumour in Lahore that Mr. Abid Gulrays, Editor of your Urdu paper "Caravan" is going to marry an actress. What is he doing now? In addition to being a journalist Abid Gulrays is a poet and poets have often forgotten their own wives and run after other women. I wouldn't be surprised if Abid does the same. Abid is at present with Eastern Pictures, Bombay, and is reported to be preparing himself to direct a picture with them. Bhuwan Ranjan (Patna) What special feature in "Padosi" attracted you? The invisible spirit behind the picture— the spirit of the great director, Shantaram. 2!