FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

November 1942 FILMINDIA state of chacs, yei many a time Hollywood has given us purposeful pictures like "Emile Zola'', "Louis Pasteur" and the "Crime Does Not Pay" Series. In these few pictures which we see off and on is the seed of progressive thought and the ultimate salvation of our masses. And this is how the film plays its social part in the 1 fe of our people, and this should be the ultimate Ideal of all film producers. OUR STRUGGLING INDUSTRY And new I hope to be excused for digressing to ventilnte a patent grievance of the Ind an film industry. For some mysterious reason, known only to those against whom f have this complaint, the upper classes in India, namely, the bankers, the industrialists and the wealthy clubmen have always shown a marked ant pathy towards the very existence of the Indian film industry. During the last thirty years without the help or even without the sympathy of our industrialists, of our bankers and of our financiers, the Indian film industry has been leading a precarious existence sheerly due to its own enterprise and because of some pioneers who. inspite of these difficulties, have struggled hard to surv.ve. The State with which I am very closely connected at present, I regret to say, has also treated the Indian film industry in a step-motherly way and whenever our leaders of the industry have approached the government for one relief or other, they have been shown the door every time It is really remarkable that under such dishearten'ng circumstances India still produces over 100 pictures a year and Indian p ctures still claim seven-eighths of the cine-going public of India. In cur country, there is no private or government institution which teaches people the art of film production like the ones we find in England, Germany and Hollywood. The only school we have is the good foreign picture which we get once in a while and from which one and all. including myself, have learnt one thing or other all these years. This is the only debt which we owe to the Hollywood Producers. There are amongst you people who have overflow of wealth which could be well utilised to stabilise cur Indian film industry. If this money could be induced to flow into the product on of Indian films not only will you be helping us to stabilise the industry which provides entertainment fcr millions and wh'ch in due course is bound to be indigenous, but you will also help us to improve the lot of these dumb millions who have not today even the courage to ask for a loaf of bread. Once some of you, gentlemen, realise the social importance that is inherent in the work cf fi'm production, I am sure that the overHow of capital which many of you must be having will be used in building up an industry which is as essential to the future glory cf oui nation as ether essential industries of a country. WARNING TO THE ELDERS I warn you not to think lightly of the influence of films in your lives. As e'ders of modern society you might consider yourself beyond the influence of the films but in your homes, there are cradles which will grow shortly to become the future pillars of our society. In these cradles are little lovely ch ldren who, as they grow, will be seeing the pic Prem Narayan Arora, one of our leading sound engineers, associated with Kardar Production*. tures mainly with the intention of enjoying some harmless entertainment, but inspite of what you say and do to them, they will be subtly influenced by the contents of these films. If you wish well by this future generation and if you wish to see your cwn country flowering into a glorious nation, it is essential that you, the present day elders of society, should have a definite say in the production of film fare foi your children. To do this you must buy some interest in this film industry. Unless you do that, you will be at the mercy of a handful of people who constitute the present-day producers in the country and who have the power to influence and change the mode of life of the future generation. Remember that the modern theatre is our future school room where, whether you like it or not. the growing generation will be taught its new lessons of life while being entertained. Don't you wish that in these school rooms the right type of lessons shou'd be taught through the right type of teachers? If, as intellectuals and elders of society you feel that the correct inteipretation of life is not being shown on the screen at present, then is it not your duty that things should be changed and improved to suit new conditions and demands of life? This can only be done if some of you gentlemen will employ the overflow of wealth, which you must have, for the good and betterment cf this industry. Almost every wealthy man has his conscience in his pocket. To those who are in this category, I give an assurance that the fiim industry is an economically pay'ng problem. Pictures which have cost a little over a lakh have often brought in as many as ten lakhs of rupees as profits. Show me another industry which can return these huge profits within a period of three years. In conclusion. I hope to be excused for utilizing this opportunity for a little honest propaganda for the industry wh:ch has given its best to me and I hope my words will not be lost on you entirely. 71