FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

May 1942 FILMINDIA By the way, regarding that particular case of which you complain all the photos were taken in the same studio and on the same occasion. How is that you are always inclined towards women (whenever there are any) in all your photographs? What is there in men which I haven't. People always like to see something different. V. L. Satyanarayana Rao (Bangalore) How is that Khursheed's songs thrill one more than Kanan Bala's? Because Khursheed sings in pictures that succeed at the box-office. It is the success of the picture that makes all the difference to the artiste. As a businessman don't you think that your severe criticism of pictures will starve you of advertisements? I have passed that test and now producers believe in overfeeding me so that I may degenerate due to sheer ease and cheap success. What purpose does the English dance achieve in "Khazanchi"? It probably helped the director to revive his acquaintance with Anglo-Indian girls and the producer seems to have had some extra money to waste. Well, "Khazanchi" was not produced to succeed. It just hit it for no fault of the producer and you can't look the gift horse in the mouth. "Khazanchi" made Dalsukh Pancholi a great producer of the Punjab and not the other way round. C. Mruthyunjaya Raju (Pavagada) Leela Desai is not to be seen on the screen? Oh, but I saw her at the Metro in a Chinese dress with an old film magnate, an old friend and guardian, and at the Worli Sea Face and at several places. I think, in her spare time, she works with Laxmi Pictures at Andheri, in a picture called "I Can Do It". Well, who objects? Not we. G. Chandrasekhara Naidu (Gudur) There are many beautiful ladies that can excel Naseem, the so-called beauty queen, but they have not yet come to light. What do you say gentleman? The gentleman says: Bring the ladies along and we shall receive them with open arms. M. Siddique Hussain (Jorhat) Is there any film star who knows piloting? Oh yes, almost every beautiful star pilots her producer, often to the rocks of failure. Is there any film company which owns an aeroplane? Oh yes, the National Studios have constructed a wooden one in front of which Mr. Y. A. Fazalbhoy poses for press photographs and probably feels like a squadron leader. Prem Singh (Delhi) The Bombay Talkies continuously present old wine in old bottles. Are they thinking of changing either the wine or the bottle? Don't they give a new label every time? Isn't that a big effort? Jwala Prasad (Hoshangabad) Why does beauty attract youth? , Because youth is beauty and like attracts like. Shambu Nath (Lucknow) By the way, who is the man who acted "Drona" in "Apna Ghar"? How did you like his work? He is a new boy called Mahesh Kaul and stays at Sagar Tatang, Shivaji Park, Dadar, Bombay. He played a small role in "Naya Sansar" but in "Apna Ghar" where he makes a second appearance, he has a very sympathetic role to play. He has done well in that role and he seems to be a good clean type to me and with a little encouragement, I guess, he will do better in future. If a director like Kardar gives him a lift, the boy's future will be made. Anyway, I wish him all luck and he will need it. 1000th Nosy Parker (All India) "I have heard that Leela Chitnis was mauled" — "I have heard that Leela Chitnis is dead" — "I have heard that Leela Chitnis is in hospital" — "I have heard that someone did something to Leela Chitnis" — To hell with what you have heard. No one did anything to Leela Chitnis. She is alive and kicking. Ask her husband Gvalani. And after every family quarrel she changes the flat. She doesn't like to quarrel again in the same place. Dear old girl that she is, you will soon see her in a new picture of her own and of course of her husband. Neena in "Ek Raat" a Shalimar Picture directed by Mr. W. Z. Ahmed. 23