FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

May 1942 FILM INDIA I planned gate-crashing for a while, but it didn't become quite necessary as I pushed myself in with the other 150 and odd pressmen representing the Indian and the world press at the next press conference. All questions at the Conference itself had to be. of course abcut the draft declaration of his Majesty's Government, about the future of India and films had scarcely any relevence there. Sir Stafford finished all his questions, made his goodbye, full of smiles, to everybody present and accompanied by one of his secretaries, he was walking towards the lift. I followed him closely, almcst touched his sleeve and asked him if he was proceeding directly to his place of residence. He was. I entered the lift with him and handed a note to him in which I wrote one brief paragraph "I have nothing political to ask you. But I hope to provide some relaxation to you by my questions if you would lend your ear to them for a couple of minutes. Let me go with you in your car to your residence. Whatever time the drive takes would be quite enough for me." Apparently he was in a mood to play with the idea. As we got out of the lift and were walking in the direction of his car he asked me what it was all about. I told him I wanted to ask him some questions about films in India and abroad and whatever he might say would be of great value to me. He warned me that he was making an exception in my case. He had never met anyone like that during his stay and did not intend to. I was therefore warned to get down as soon as the car entered the porch of his residence. It was an agreement and the next minute I was sitting by his side asking the first question: — A TELEGRAM WASTED "Did you see any Indian film during your last or present sojourn in India?" "No. I could have seen some last time but the idea never occurred to me nor did anybody make a suggestion of that kind. This time, I have not a moment at my disposal for such a pleasure." "Haven't you received a pressing telegraphic request to see "Bharat Milap" an Indian film, now showing in Delhi? It is around the story of the hero of the Ramayana." Kaushalya looks grown up and charming in "Rai Saheb" a Janak picture. "No, I have not and even if I get one I am not in a position to respond to such an invitation." I knew that the Prakash Pictures had sent him a telegram from Bombay to see "Bharat Milap", but obviously his guard of secretaries did not think it suitable to place the telegram before him. "Did ycu have any occasion to study the effect of the average love and sex films on the juvenile mind in Great Britain or anywhere else?" "I have had no such opportunity. I have heard of certain American studies which plead for control of the present day film production and exhibition in national and social interest." "Do films as they are being made now, particularly the American ones, contribute to increase in crime?" "Possibly. But I cannot hazard an opinion without adequate study." "Since the Russian way of Life has been materially different from the rest of the world, since the Revolution, how did you find it reflected in Russian films?" "I do not claim to be a very devoted student of how Russian fife is reflected in films, but it is obvious that they have done a tremendous lot to exploit the film medium for popular instruction. Any book on present day Russia will testify to this." NOT EVEN AN ACTRESS. "Have you at any time come in contact with film producers, directors, scenario-writers, actors and others in any country and if so what has been your reaction to them?" "No, I have not come in contact with film people but I should expect them to be as human as any other set of people." "Any actresses, at least?" Sir Stafford stared and in a moment his face was lit up with a broad smile. "Will you say something about the Russian effort to achieve adult education through films with particular reference to Lenin's work in this behalf?" "My view is not different from the one you get in sympathetic books about Russia and her achievement in this field. I do think that the film 57