FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

August 1942 FILM INDIA Govindra Mohan Sahai (Patna) What is Chandramohan's programme after "Roti"? Please give me his address. He is already working in a picture called "Jhankar" a maiden picture of Silver Films. Then he has signed himself to work in "The College", a Fazli Brothers' production. For a couple of months, he will be busy at the Poona Races. He stays at 16, Bilkha House, Churchgate Reclamation, Fort, Bombay and you can get him on the phone with 26333. Give him a ring at midnight. He sounds sweet at the time and may tell you his whole programme. Begum Jalil Tahir (Satrikh) My husband dies on one or the other film actress every day. He declares profound love for Leela Chitnis, Kanan Devi, Sardar Akhtar, Khursheed, Neena etc. Please let me know what I should do? You are in a very happy position, madam. No one weeps for a man who dies that way every day. If he had died over one girl you would have been a widow long since. Now if you wish to bring back the fellow to yourself, why not you look longingly at yoxir handsome neighbour and see that your husband notices your doing so. That may cure him. \ G. P. Kejriwal (Benares) Is it advisable to marry with this war going on? Why open a second front? Bankey Behari Lall (Gulzarbagh) Which is the best institution fcr learning cinematography? The Abdulla Fazalbhoy Institute: St. Xavier's College, Fort, Bombay. Please also tell me what are the ways and means of seeing a film studio? There are devious ways and means but a famous system is to know a female star and rush in holding her sari. Even the producer can't throw you out once you get in that way. Miss Gyan Vati Adib (Sultanpur) Here at Sultanpur no one dares to start a cinema because almost every official here — from the Collectorate, Civil Court, Tehsil etc. — demands free passes and never pays. And if the owner disputes this, they forfeit his license. What is the remedy? The remedy is "Free India". But there is time for it. In the meanwhile it will be a good idea to prepare a public petition and draw the attention of the Provincial Government, not, of course, failing to remind the authorities of their usual mask of democracy. They will go a long way to maintain that mask. Chunilal Chhibabhai (Navsari) Are new cinema theatres for Indian films required in Bombay? Yes, we need about half-a-dozen. Do you mind supplying them next month? Syed Rahat Ali Khan (Moradabad) Where is Mr. Shantaram nowadays? Has he fallen back into darkness? I don't know what you mean by "darkness" but I'll tell you where he is and you may judge for yourself. He is a producer to the Government of India drawing Rs. 2500/ per month and he produces stuff like "Voice of Youth", "Our Gallant Effort", "Blanket Making in India" etc. He works at the National Studios and stays on Peddar Road paying Rs. 250/ rent per month. Nowadays, he does not produce pictures like "Admi" and "Padosi". • He has a swell flat where he invites old friends to show them his new furniture and his airconditioned bed room, gives them rotten food for d'nner and expects them to praise his doubtful triumphs in producing those one-reel trailors which he calls good propaganda. I would rather like to meet him again dressed as a coolie sweating under a hoi sun whilst directing, "Padosi,~. That was an artist perspiring and it smelt like perfume. Formerly. Shantaram, the artist, used to hang Ishwarlal and Nur Jehan seem to discuss future plans, with the help of a doll of course, in "Chandni", a Ranjit picture. 21