FilmIndia (1945)

This section is the monopoly of "JUDAS" and he writes what he likes and about things which he likes. The views expressed here are not necessarily ours, but still they carry weight because they are written by a man who knows his job. FILMINDIA'S REVIEWS AND OUR STARS ! During the last month I have been reading some angry letters written to Editor Baburao Patel, some by our film stars in white rage and others by some producers complaining about the " destructive " reviews of " filmindia ". Personally I think that the most useful purpose served by " filmindia " is in the matter of its film reviews, written without the least prejudice or malice to any one, "filmindia's " reviews are moreover not at all influenced by film advertisements and they give the film-goer a correct and balanced view of the pictures and incidentally provide the only authentic guidance to intelligent film-goers all over the country. Many people wonder why criticism of Indian pictures should be so destructive in quality. They perhaps feel that destructive criticism, instead of improving matters, makes them worse. There is some truth in this argument but I feel that such criticism is the only remedy for improving our industry, provided all such criticism is absolutely impartial and given in the proper spirit. Any sane person seeing the present state of Indian pictures should feel exactly the same way as " filmindia ". No doubt there are occasional exceptions and you find an intelligent producer springing a surprise by giving a good picture once in a blue moon, but the general standard of pictures is so uniformly low and boring that in my opinion they deserve only slashing criticism. The "filmindia" reviews, however, have always been unique. Apart from being correct in facts, they provide interesting reading due to the inherent wit in them. Perhaps it is humour at another person's expense but human nature, such as it is, always likes to have a laugh at others. What surprises me, however, is the extra tenderness of our big "stars". Their skin seems to be particularly sensitive to "filmindia's" criticism. A single strong word gives them a sleepless night and Editor Patel is worried with verbal and written protests. I fail to understand this sensitive approach of our 'stars' to their work. Film work is just another channel of public activity like politics or social work. People in other walks of life always expose themselves to harsh and hostile criticism from the critics and the public. But they don't run about madly shouting at their critics. If "filmindia" criticises the personal appearance of a star, it is because the critic expects some sort of a charming personality in this industry in which art, beauty and commerce are so closely welded together. "Pleasing the eye" is the basic slogan of motion picture art. "Stars", who cannot look beautiful inspite of numerous technical aids, should not therefore take up glamorous roles and invite criticism and ridicule. The producers are to blame for this largely. With a hundred different companies turning out motion picture sausages with tragic regularity and with a shortage of talent any girl with a nose and a pair of eyes is titled a film star and given a lot of easy money. The girls, themselves, seem to push aside their mirrors and accept any role given to them to bag some thousands. With affairs in such a tragic state, how can you expect good pictures? And how can you expect a good review from " filmindia " ? Thanks to Baburao Patel's indomitable courage, in the midst of threats and protests, " filmindia " will always remain a highly critical magazine and where ' stars ' are concerned it will always expect a certain standard of looks, acting and diction and unless and until these requirements are satisfied, criticism in "filmindia". I am afraid, will continue in the same strain. Our 'stars' are, therefore, wasting their time and breath in threatening a man who cannot be cowed down or purchased. OH ! THOSE BORING STORIES ! That reminds one of motion pictures and their subjects. The way we always find a stereotyped subject treated It seems to be a three-party situation with eyes on the fourth one from "An Ban", a Sunrich picture.