FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

F I L M I X D I A October 1942 kar and last but no: least Gandhiji must figure in a Tilak b ographical picture. Lokamanya Tilak dominated the National Congress in his last days and Gandhiji has been doing so for the last twenty years. Indeed, a big film whi +1 will trace the evolution of the National Congress since the early eighties of the last century to this day is a subject that I can suggest off-hand. It would be an excellent educational feature for millions of our unlettered masses. After all how many even among our educated men and women have read Dr. Pattabhi's, Ambika Charan Muzumdar's and Mrs. Besant's books on the rise and growth of the Congress? A film would oblige even English -educated idlers" And here ::r me f.rs: : rr.e I r.~ Here is an interesting situation from "Damaji", a sodo-devotional picture of Neve Huns Pictures pent for doing so because those films turn out to be very poor material, whether as propaganda or good art. The film producers must give some serious thought to their duty to the country and not merely to their profits. They must understand that they have to render a service by satisfying a social need of the people and intelligent public opinion must awaken them to their social duty and responsibility in this matter. If the desire is there, a good deal can be done, even without there being a National Govern rr.er.t -.vit'r. definitely laid out policies." FILM THE CONGRESS ••Will you make some definite suggestions so that some of us may work on that basis?" ' I shall do so with pleasure. But as I told you. I have not given any thought to this subject. I am unable to do so just now. Besides, my mind is preoccupied with quite other things than this subject of films. I however remember one thing: that your magazine recently distributed a supplement which purports to be a specimen scenario 'or a short film about Lokamanya Tilak's life and times. That specimen needs much improvement incrkjrr tally. It speaks of original 5? res-arm by seme rr.e. but it s ee m 3 tc me that me writer has net carefully studied Tilak's life. There is no reference whatever to the Home Rule agitation and the close nooperation between Tilak and Mrs. Besant in the Home Rule Campaign. Gokhale. Baptista. Kelkar. Khadil ticed a real hearty, sarcastic smile on his lips because he was saying And -.vhen v.e be:: me tree v.e sh -.11 add a reel of the Congress Session in which the Congress will be dissolved because its function will have men ended And men arm-eared M-ss Mamben PateL the Sardar's daughter, and I had to bid the old leader a goodbye. Come along, sweetie" says Shchu WmUrn Modak to Shobhana in "Shobha". a picture.