FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

F I L M I X D I A September 1942 Nanubhai Desai, on the other hand, is shooting in the indoor sets a thrilling spectacle as it is called by the studios under the title of "Firman'". EASTERN PICTURES (Bombay The world rights of '"Badal", thenmaiden production, have been secured by New India Finn Corporation of Bombay and this picture is likely to be released at the Novelty Talkies very shortly. Producer Ramzan Tj>fchani has begun another picture called "Dawat" which is a social story and which will be directed by Mr. M. Nazir. the story writer. PRAKASH PICTURES (Andheri "Station Master" had a tine run at the Minerva Talkies and proved a popular box-office success. At the studios they are shooting '"Chooriya", a social story featuring Maya Banner ji and Prem Adib and they are also busy on the paper work of •Panghat", another social story written by Pandit Indra. Director Vijay Bhatt is as usual busy preparing for another mythological spectacle called "Ram Rajya". The story of this has been very nicely written by Dramatist Yartak. D.R.D. PRODUCTIONS iBombayi The film industry in India seems to be looking upon good times the way we ir.d Leading businessmen cf the city getting interested in production of films. The latest recruit, a happy addition to the band of producers we have in Bombay, is Mr. D. R. D. Wadia who is one of the Directors cf the Automobile Co., Ltd. Mr. Dady Wadia, who is an internationally known amateur photographer, is also a leading industrialist of the city. They are taking up "The Gong Of Shiva" written by Dewan Sharar, the international writer. This picture has been placed under the charge of Director J. K. Nanda whose excellent work in "Kurmai" is still fresh in the minds of ail critics. From all signs it seems that Messrs. D. R. D. Productions have come to stay a long time and make their mark in the industry. SILVER SCREEN EXCHANGE (Bombay) This is a new distributing concern founded by Producer-Director V. Shantaram till recently a partner in the Prabhat Film Co. This new concern is organised to conduct business on modern ideas of distributicn and has plenty of financial support behind it. It has made a start of new business with the productions of New Huns Pictures of Kolhapur and the first of the series which will be released very shortly is the socio-devotional picture -DAMAJI", which is directed by Bhal G. Pendharkar and in which prominent stars like Baburao Pendharkar, Leela and Lalita Powar feature. This company wnl also finance, on distribution basis, Mehboob productions by securing the Bombay and CP., CJ. rights of these pictures. It is likely that many more pictures will be secured by this distribution office which has at its head s: pr; miner: : member :;' the dim industry as Mr. V. Shantaram. RAJA MOVIETONE (Bombay) Producer-director Zahur Raja, who is now free from his interest in Eastern Pictures ha; mated thus new company for production of his own pictures. The first picture is a stcial st try caLLed "Mazaq". written by Kamal Amrohi. Producer Zahur Raja is busy on the script of this story and hopes to go into production early next month. SUPREME FILM DISTRIBUTORS (Bombay This influential firm of film distribution has already a number of pictures running in the city. At their offices they have got still a number of more pictures awaiting release. Seme of them are: *"Chowranghee" produced by Fazli Bruthers, "Jawab'" featuring Barua and Kanan and produced by M. P. Productions, "Khamoshi" featuring Ramola produced by Talwar Productions, and some more pictures of Amar Productions are also awaiting release. BHARAT PICTURES (Bombay) This distribution office will be releasing very shortly a big spectacular picture called "Bhakta Kabir" produced in Calcutta. An:. her new picture which Is likeiy to be released in a couple ot mm tins is called "UHjhan" produced by Acharya Art Productions. XEW INDIA FILM CORPORATION Bombay) Under the personal supervision of the managing partner Mr. Kuka, this distribution office has been very active recently, especially so in helping small producers to establish themselves in the dim market. Realisir.g the p Light ::' the small producers. Mr. Kuka ha; been ab.e tcinvest a large finance not only in advancing money to such producers but also in buying pictures where necessary to help them through bad times. Most of these pictures are being released at the Novelty Talkies in Bombay which cinema has now so much come up that it is attended by large crowds of both the masses and the classes. Some of the pictures that are being distributed by this firm are: "Badal", TDawat". "Jhankar", 'tDuniya Ek 7ama;ha etc. the studios and the equipment of the National Stud::; Ltd for a little over seven lacs of rupees. It seems that the National Studies found it rather difficult to manage their extensive studios in these times of war stress, and it may be said that they have done wisely in shifting their responsibility by selling their studios. These studios which comprise of four large sized sound stages and other production equipment are incidentally the best in India today in almost every respect. It is repcrted that a number of outside companies including New Hun; Pictures. Mehboob Productions and others would be producing their pictures in these studios in addition to Director Shantaram himself. All said and done it seems that Producer-Director Shantaram has hit it high with this new enterprise after his separation from his old friends in Prabhat. .3