FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

July 1942 FILM INDIA None of the popular plays of the day could be called a mirror of life. It seemed to me that most of them were written expressly to pander to the vitiated popular taste for abnormalities and ludicrous situations. "TUKARAM" APPEALED TO HIM "Did you ever write any play?'' "No, during my youth, I had my dreams of authorship. I used to write sketches, stories and poems in Gujarati and had the intention to dramatise one of my stories "Razia Begum". But seeing that public taste was hopelessly vulgarised by the playwrights and stage manners of the day, I thought my effort in that direction would prove a dismal failure, unless I stooped to the devices then current to tickle the audience even in the midst of the most tragic incidents. This, of course, was no reason why I should not have seen first class plays later in life. But then the daily meetings and continuous literary work in hand left no time for them. There was yet another reason. I invariably found that after a visit to a theatre or cinema, I had contracted ccld or had a sore throat. So, whenever I could, spare a couple of hours in the evening, I preferred to take long walks or open air exercise. "Do you retain your old love for plays or now have a preference for pictures, whenever you feel like visiting an amusement hall?" "To the Screen I was not drawn from the beginning as the pictures seemed to revel in frivolity and fantasy. Later many good pictures were commended to me by friends and my sons and daughter. But it was always a question of time. Residing nearly twenty miles away from the city and having invariably something to read and write during the night, I had to forego the pleasure. However a film like "Tukaram" or "Gcodbye Mr. Chips' or " The Battle of Britain" or "Emile Zola" had its special appeal to me. Such occasions were, however, rare. You must not, therefore, expect from me any criticism or appreciation worth having concerning some of the well-known films. Nor can I be expected to say anything helpful regarding the influence of crime and sex films on the morals of the people. I can, however, well imagine the subtle, baneful, influence of constant suggestions of libertinism and lack of self-restraint on the minds of the people whether young or old. LEAVE ALONE GANDHIJI How can the standard of films improve so as to make the cinema a really healthy social influence?" "To my mind, the entry of educated, cultured men and women in the industry in all its departments will positively help to improve the standard of the pictures and bring the industry to a higher level. 1 notice a number of university men and talented writers and authors already lifting the industry from its former deplorable position. "Did you notice what Gandhiji recently said in this connection? He said he had never been to a cinema nor had he ever listened in to a radio. Do you think his attitude is consistent with modern ideas about progress and prosperity?" Shamim in "Annan" a social picture of Ranjit". "Yes, I have heard of Gandhiji's remarks and I thank God, my plight is not so pitiful as his. His condemnation of films is undoubtedly based on reports vicariously received by him and he was probably nevef informed about several good films. Gandhi's attitude certainly does not accord with the modern way of life. But merely because Gandhiji has no time or inclination to go to a picture or to listen in, one would not be justified in saying that his attitude does not accord with modern ideas of progress. His is not an ordinary personality. His peculiarities — call them eccentricities if you will — are his own. He may not need the sort of recreation or intellectual diversion which cultured men and women ordinarily consider essential. So long as he does not object to the use of the cinema or the radio as a means of recreation or education, his attitude should not in any way be construed as being antagonistic to modern ideas or instruments of progress." Mr. Masani wanted Gandhiji to be left alone as I gathered from the way he spoke, because it cannot be presumed that Mr. Masani does not know that Gandhiji is a sworn antagonist of all aspects of modern civilization, including the railways, the aeroplanes and the hospitals, leaving alone radio and cinema. I did not choose to pursue the matter further with him and asked him how universities covfd take the help of films in their cultural and educational work. He said: "For cultural education, films are not so useful as for scientific education, but in regard to both courses, much help can be received from films. The radio and the cinema are the most potent means of promoting intellectual progress in our days and I have often said that the best possible use should be made by school and college authorities and those directing adult education classes of these instiuments of education. POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD He went on to tell me that the very first conference he had the privilege of inaugurating as the 31