FilmIndia (1948)

FILMINDI A June, 19 patchy at places. There is an over-abundance of footage wasted in the earlier part of the film to 'introduce' the two girls., and as the situations do not even amuse or entertain, it is a sheer waste of celluloid. Even at this stage a little pruning may be helpful. SHYAM IMPRESSES While the writer-director must share the credit for the characterization of Chandu, the mischievous village youth, it is Shyam who wins not only our admiration for his acting but also our sympathy for the role that he plays. He has to cover a very wide range of moods and expressions—all the way from frivolity to intense pathos— but he comes out with flying colours. Shyam so far has been classed among the 'promising' artistes of the Indian screen, but one never expected him to be capable of such versatilitv. With "Majboor", he makes a bid for the front-rank of Indian stardom. Soon he may replace Mdtilal and Ashok Kumar as the latest matinee idol. Munawar Sultana, as Lalli, Chandu's beloved, is a good artiste but she gets little scope for her talent— except in the last scene when she gives a memorably classic expression. Indu, as Bala, the foster-sister of Chandu, proves to be pleasantly photogenic though she has a tendency to over-act and to exhibit her youthful curves. Her diction also betrays a touch of crudity. The new-comer, Sohanlal, who plays Bansi, the lover of Bala, is too anaemic and vegetarian-looking to impress as a hero. He will take time to be 'groomed' as an actor. We forget who plays the role of the gigantic wrestler but he has a formidable personality. Darr Kashmiri, as the Jagirdar, is his old stereotyped self. WANTED BETTER PICTURES FROM B T. So far as music is concerned., this is not one of Ghulam Haider's "hits". Barring a couple of tune«, the songs arc just routine stuff, and certainly expected a far better Bcorc from a veteran hit-maker like him. The "Angrezi Chhora Cbala gaya" song, however, will definitely click as it has a popular and timely political slant as well as a lively, entertaining tune. The group folk dance composed and led by Prem Dhawan is an excellent piece, refreshingly different from, and better than, the usual filmic dances. One only wishes the scenarist-director had more closely integrated it in the pattern of the plot and used it to heighten the climax. As it is, it has only an incidental entertainment value. While Nazir Ajmeri's directicj may be described as "adequate"-! not bad but not very good — , ai the technique is of a fairly got standard, one must note that tl picture does not fully come up the standard expected from studio with the Bombay Talki reputation. As average entertai) ment, it is quite good. But tl AshokVacha team will have give still better pictures to revh the old glory of the studio th Himansu Rai built. NC MITCHELL I1CK6R0UND PROJECTOR " * FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS WRITE TO:— A high-precision instrument this Mitchell Studio Camera (BNC) was developed to meet every requirement for perfect photographic reproducton. Typically Mitchell in design and construction, it incorporates features found in no other camera. The Suidio Camera's silent operation is due to perfect sound-insulation of the mo\ing parts. Mitchell Studio Model Cameras are used on Sound Stages throughout the world. £mb3 DEVELOPING & P R I N T I N 6 MACHINES, STUDIO LIGHTS, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. 16 MM PROFESSIONAL FAZALBHOY LIMITED 16, New Queen's Road, BOMBAY. Of/ices of -CALCUTTA MADRAS • LAHORE • NEW DELHI • KARACHI 4^