FilmIndia (1945)

February, 1945. FILMINDIA of tips. Though not a believer in hero-worship, I had always admired Lord Krishna for the romantic aspect of his divinity. After seeing Brindaban I came to the conclusion that Lord Krishna was merely a shepherd at the game and did not much care for artistic environments in chasing the milk-maids. Given the same opportunities, I am sure I would have done better than him. Brindaban is a dirty place with ill-kept thickets and tiny rickety temples and not all of them together can kindle even a spark of spirituality in a man. On the other hand with the mental background of piety created by several clever lyric writers through ages about Brindaban one is rather sadly disillusioned after an actual visit to the place. The ceremonial hypocrisy of Hindu religious sentiment stands sadly exposed in the clumsy thickets of Brindaban. The priestly hyaenas even forged a 'samadhi' of Mira because I asked to be shown the place where Mira's remains were cremated. The forgery cost me two rupees, but I learnt to what depth of mental degradation these spiritual pimps of Hindu pantheon have sunk to earn some filthy lucre. It was a disgusting experience and for quite a long time I was ashamed of being a Hindu. My advice to all pious Hindus is to avoid Brindaban and nurse the dreams created by the soaring imagination of our wonderful religious poets. The Brindaban of dreams is a paradise in comparison with what I saw and experienced at the actual spot. KUNWAR D. SINGH (Delhi) Why do Shantaram's pictures run badly outside Bombay ? In Bombay Shantaram holds one end of the picture and runs himself with it. He often spends more in newspaper publicity than what he earns for his share from the theatre. Shantaram is like the little child who being scared of ghosts pulls the blanket over his eyes and considers himself safe. A silver jubilee, however attained, means more to Shantaram than anything else. His "Mali", which somehow completed a silver jubilee in Bombav, was thrown out of the Paradise Cinema in Calcutta within three weeks. In Delhi the picture went through a painful run. The fate of "P. P. A. Dera" is likely to be similar in many places, though I can bet that a silver jubilee, after the boy-with-the-blanket pattern, will be completed in Bombay. Shantaram's ways are strange and even multi-millionaire Chandulal Shah will go broke if he emulates Shantaram. Many girls, especially the college variety found in our modern colleges, claim that they could act and sing better than some of our well-known stars. Why don't they prove themselves so instead of merely talking? The modern educated girl is a strange product of shivering aspirations, day dreams and traditional fears. She would like to go and throttle Hitler but she is too lazy to get up. She would like to beat every film star in beauty and music but that is when the mirror is pushed away and the ears are plugged to escape the hoarse rumble that comes out of her throat. She will criticise everything under the sun without knowing how to match the petticoat length with her sari's length. She will nurse ungainly pimples on her face and bulge clumsily in the sides without knowing the primary rules about the hygiene of health. One thing I have invariably found in the modern college girl is a long tongue which leaves its natural confines too easily and shaves clean the victim without a razor blade. I wish these tongues could be cut and used in our safety razors. That would save so much steel for war purposes. There are, of course, exceptions amongst them — girls who are both completely feminine and sensible — but these are so rare these days. Next time when you hear the average college girl bragging about what she would do or not do had she been this or that, remember that she is talking through her hat and is merely expressing her jealousy for the persons she is comparing herself with. Miss K. BHATNAGAR (Ambala) What are your ways of appreciating beauty? Beauty is not a product with mathematical measurements. It is more a matter of the mind and being indefinable one feels it but cannot measure it. Its appreciation will, therefore, always be emotional. And in the world of emotions ways are numerous. Over whom would you spend a sleepless night: A beautiful woman or an intellectual woman? Over my woman be she beautiful or intellectual or both. The possessive instinct which is so natural in every human being is the real reason that ruins the sleep. In a motion picture which is more satisfying: A beautiful face or an enthralling tune or a sexy dance? Doesn't this depend on the age and need of the person who sees a motion picture? An old man going to a devotional picture will like a beautiful face and a good tune, but may object to a sexy dance, while a youthful college boy may require all the three in a romantic story. Personally I demand all the three with good art behind them and so long as there is nothing unnecessarily lewd about them, I think, every one should about require the same. Does society really ostracise those educated girls from' respectable families who join the film industry? Where did you pick up this fairy tale? Society, on the other hand, receives them with smiles and garlands, entertains them in homes and clubs and hovers round them with enthusiasm. Do you know that several provincial governors have shaken hands with Devika Rani? Do you know that Sushila Rani has been invited in very respectable homes and clubs and lavishly entertained with respect and affection? Do you know that Durga Khote has been invited to several 33