We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Ttlazlxal IClian Hits Ou>i Tlatienal £.eabe\s P
Says : "Padosi'1 Did More Than Leaders '
(By: Our Special Representative)
It is a real job to make Mazhar Khan speak out because he is unassuming to the core and believes more in doing things rather than merely talking about them. However, the other day it was quite a pleasant surprise to me to find the veteran character-actor a vociferous and vehement speaker, bubbling with patriotic sentiments and deeply concerned with the fate of his motherland in this hour of ordeal.
"How does the war affect your activities?", I asked him. Mazhar Khan lifted up his burly head, cocked the eye at me and said, "In spite of all the restrictions imposed upon the film industry by the exigencies of the war situation, we and our film industry are doing splendidly well."
"Then, you are quite optimistic about the fate of our industry in these uncertain times," I interrupted him. Mazhar Khan looked grave. I clearly saw the Thakur of "Padosi" in him. Heaving a deep sigh, he almost burst out, "The fate of the film
industry depends on the fate of our motherland. And that is what makes our future outlook gloomy. At this critical juncture, when we ought to have been united and ready to bear the brunt of the danger looming ever our heads we are cutting a sorry figure before the world, divided and sub-divided into petty sectional groups, and all this to the utter shame of our political leaders who keep on juggling with the situation."
Mazhar Khan paused for a while and looked at me. "You see, I am no political animal," said he slowly, "But I can say from the doings of our leaders, quite a number of them, seem to be more concerned with the question of keeping alive their selfadulation and vainglorious leadership than the good of their people and country."
Mazhar Khan was again lost in his own thoughts. I interrupted him again by asking him another question. "How do you account for this situation?"
•m,
Mazhar Khan is, in addition to being a film star, an all-round sportsman, polo being his favourite game.
He retorted. "Yes, I shall tell you in my blunt way. Quite often, we blame others for our doings. We have been told oft and on about 'the divide-and-rule policy'. Let us agree for a moment that the seed of this apple of discord was sown by our alien rulers. Why did we not nip it in the bud? Who carefully nourished it, letting it grow into a plant that keeps on spreading its roots and undermining the very foundations of our national integrity? Without any hesitation, I can say that it is our misguided leaders who have perpetuated this question of communalism. It suits them for it ensures their leadership. Indians doped with ideas of religion, can be very well exploited in the name of religion. No wonder the gulf between the sectional and communal interests is widening day by day, thanks to our self-adulating and vainglorious leaders.
"In the midst of this discouraging darkness films throw a beacon light. Inspite of the great prejudice of our 'great' leaders, we, can hold our own with feelings of pride for our record is not so miserable as that of some of our leaders."
AZADS, NEHRUS AND GANDHIS
Mazhar Khan was getting autobiographical and I had no desire to interrupt him. I straightened up in my seat and began to listen more
59