FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

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November 1S42 FILMINDIA for social welfare in creating better conditions for the masses, or on the other hand, demoralising their lot and making it worse than it is today. This is purely a matter for the conscience of the producer. "FILMINDIA'S" PATRIOTIC WORK Speaking of arousing the conscience of picture-makers, may I draw the attention of such of you as have not already noticed the series of press interviews with public men and social leaders that are being published in the "filmindia" for the last several months? "filmindia" has broken many lances in its patriotic and public spirited fight on behalf of the Indian film industry in its multiple aspects, but this constructive effort directed towards improving the tone and tenor of picture-making in India is particularly notable in "filmindia's" career. Men and women who belong to widely differing and even opposite political persuasions have joined in giving their views on films and allied matters in these interviews and I have no doubt that picture producers in our country will be greatly benefited by these suggestions I dcn't say that all the suggestions are particularly original or extraordinary, but they have the undeniable virtue of being considered the utterances of responsible men in public life and of leaders of thought in our society. Men like St Radhakrishnan, and Dr. Jayakar, Dr. Ambedkar and Ex-Premier Kher, Vice-Chancellor Masani and City Mayer Meherally. and many others have spoken so far and many more from other provinces, I hope, will follow to have their say in "filmindia". A close study of these views will provide wise guidance to our producers who plan their future productions, as these very people who have given the interviews happen to be the persons who shape our nation's destiny from day to day and. as such, they also shape public opinion. There Is a standing complaint against our producers that we keep on producing long and silly stuff divorced from the realities of life. With "filmindia"' and several other distinguished men and women in India I also deplore the attitude of Mahatma Gandhi towards our avocation, but I agree with Mrs. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya when she says in "filmindia'": "I think the prejudice of people like Gandhiji is understandable and I more than appreciate it because the subject matter and composition of our pictures today are such that I do' not at all feel inspired or enthusias tic over the films as a whole. They are so unreal and decadent, and divorced from the actual aspirations, hopes and struggles of the Indian people." Strangely enough. I should be defending the producers who belong to my own cemmunity, but I would go a step further and also agree with City Mayor Meherally when he says: "I would like to see the life of an Indian peasant In his social and political setting — rural indebtedness, tragedies from addic Lamington Road, BOMBAY cf A , ?\ , sheikh Memon 'Phone. 4 2 4 3 3 'Phone 20565 67