FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

The Congress Sphinx Speaks Ht bast Sardar VaUabhbhai Suggests Production Of A Congress Historical Film ( By : Our Special Correspondent ) "My mind is entirely occupied with the Congress and the coming movement and I am not at all inclined to give any thought to any other subject. I have a one-track mind. At one time I can attend to only one thing. It is different with our leader Mahatma Gandhi. His mind is a huge cupboard with airtight drawers. He can close one and open another at a moment's notice, without loss of efficiency anywhere. But that achievement is beyond me. So I shall be much obliged if you leave me alone." These were decisive words and Sardar Vallabhbhai's forbidding countenance was even more stern and austere than usual. I lost almost all hope of getting him to talk about films, but being too seasoned a guy at this interviewing business I refused to give up effort. I reminded the Sardar of Bardoli that during my previous calls he had promised to say something when the All India Congress Committee Session was in progress. The sphinx seemed to relent when reminded of his promise and in his cold, steely manner asked. "So what do you want?" "As you have very little time. I desire that you may say in your natural, blunt way whatever you can say about films and their function in our present-day society " The valiant Sardar seemed to wear a faint smile, sort of a silver lining to a dark cloud, as he obseived. "That is to say. I lecture and you take down what I say. NjI That does not suit me. Ask your questions and I shall give the replies." That was good. I was getting on. I shot at him at once "You do go to see pictures off and on and you do not shun them altogether as your leader does, I suppose?" PLANNING ENTERTAINMENT "I do see films sometimes but l can't say that they are my pet pas time. I do believe with Gandhiji that most of them are no more than trash. I am convinced, however, that our films can be turned into an effective medium of propaganda for the National Movement for an allround regeneration of the people. I feel that we must have clearly laid out plans on what is good for the people even in the entertainment field and these plans must be resolutely carried out when we have the power to enforce them." For a moment I thought I was listening to the President of the Congress Parliamentary Board and not to the leader of the Civil Disobedience Movement the Congress had pledged itself to launch. Finding h;m on the right track, I ventured with "Do you expect to get that power in the near future and in that ^ase, make some plans for producing educative and propaganda pictures?"' "Yes, the Congress does expect that India will very soon be a selfgoverning country and then I have no doubt that in its nation-building activities, the provincial ministries and the Central Government will formulate and execute plans which will include exploitation of the films for educative and propaganda purposes." "I am very pleased to know this from you who was President of the Parliamentary Board that once controlled the policy of seven province* of India. But should we, indeed, need we wait to do as much as poss ble through private enterprise till we are in full possession of political power to rarry cut cur plans?" "Nobody says that. You are a special representative of the most prominent and influential film journal. It is your business to rouse the conscience of the film magnates to produce films that will combine entertainment, soc'al education and national propaganda for millions of our masses." Sardar VaUabhbhai Patel, patriot and leader. "Yes, I entirely agree and interviewing you on this subject is part of the business that "filmindia" regards as its own. "filmindia" has always done its bit in building up intelligent public opinion by interview.'ng political leaders and other prominent personalities." Going in this strain for some time when I actually stopped I discovered that the Sardar of Bardoli. inspite of his well known impatience, was a very good listener. "I am pleased to hear all this" said the Sardar thoughtfully, "I am sure your efforts will not go in vain, when a propaganda and education ministry in an India enjoying independence comes into power." I rontinued "But for producing educational and propaganda films the leaders concerned must give a helping hand to such of the producers who will venture to do something in this useful field." As soon as I spoke about the national leaders giving a helping hand, he looked up. stared at me and said, "Do you mean to say that our national leaders do not help the producers? When some studio in Poona made a pro-prohibition film, I helped it by allowing a scene of a meeting to be shot, which I was addressing and it is there in that film. Some of us do go to inaugurate new films and sometimes re 51