FilmIndia (1945)

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: The annual subscription, for 12 issues of "filmindia", from March 1943 is: INLAND Rs. 24/FOREIGN: Shillings 50/ Subscription is accepted only for a collective period of 12 months and not for a •mall period. Subscription money should be remitted only by Money Order or by Postal Order but not by cheques. V.P.P.s will not be sent. filmindia PROPRI ETORS: FILMINDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD. 55, SIR PHIROZESHAH MEHTA ROAD FORT, BOMBAY Telephone: 26752 Editor: BABURAO PATEL Vol. II. APRIL 1945 No. 4. ADVERTISEMENT RATES: The advertisement rates are as follows: Per Insertion Full Page inside Rs. Half Page inside Rs. \ Page inside Rs. i Page inside Rs. 2nd & 3rd Cover Rs. 4th Cover Rs. 1st Cover 400 210 120 ISO 500 600 Rs. 1,000 The cost of the advertisement should be submitted in advance with the order. The advertisement will be subject to the terms and conditions of our usual contract. Gil &}<js 0n It is a happy sign of the times that a well-known economist of the status and experience of Mr. Manu Subedar has begun taking an active interest in the future of the Indian film industry. The other day the Government had to answer some awkward questions in the Legislative Assembly. Asked Mr. Manu Subedar: "Is it a fact that no panel has been set up by the Planning and Development Department for the film industry? If so, do Government propose to do so now?" Answered the Hon. Sir Azizul Haque: "The film industry has been included specifically among the industries for which Government in the Planning and Development have decided to set up panels. It is hoped to set up this panel shortly." "Hoped" and "Shortly" — just two words with which bureaucracy has denied freedom to 400 millions for over 150 years. Thundered Legislator Manu Subedar: "In view of the very serious inconvenience caused to the film industry in India, may I know what is the considered policy of the Government regarding this (panel)? If there is another war in the next ten years, should not the Government take steps to manufacture raw materials for the film industry in this country and not leave the industry in India to depend upon imports?" Spoke Sir Azizul, New Delhi's Delphic Oracle: "If there is another war in the next ten years and if this question is asked then, the Government of the day will be able to give a complete answer to that". What marvellous flight of intellect the Honourable Member of the Government has shown in this reply? For a complete answer we have to wait ten years and for another Government. There must be some unique philosophy in the bureaucratic principle of ruling to find a good man like Sir Azizul converted so quickly into a brazen-faced bureaucrat. Or is power so annoyingly intoxicating that good men of the world lose their inherent goodness and poise? Whatever the reason, Sir Azizul's reply was most disappointing and not at all sympathetic to our struggling film industry. One basket I And yet we should not place all the blame at the official door. The people in the industry are also to blame because they have not yet acutely realised, in spite of present war-shortages, that our film industry is entirely dependent on foreign imports in raw films, machinery and chemicals and that it is necessary for them to do something about it as soon as possible. On an average India imports every year over 75,000,000 feet of unexposed raw film from overseas worth over Rs. 26 lakhs. In addition to this we require over Rs. 20 lakhs worth of basic machinery and accessories. Another 12 lakhs of rupees are spent annually in buying chemicals. These are pre-war figures. Since the out Shobhana Samarth comes in these senorita plumes in "Veer Kunal", a picture produced and directed by Kishorc Sahu. 3