FilmIndia (1948)

OQ5 (This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letter published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. 5/. Letters should be signed and marked " Woes And Echoes". Photographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor.) "DON'T WASTE, PLEASE" "It was the pride of the producers of the Tamil Film "Ohandralekha" to print the picture in fifty copies and screen it at fifty theatres all over Madras Presidency. The same procedure has been adopted by the Jupiter Pictures, who have made about thirty prints of their new release, "Abhimanyu". Thus a sort of competition is going on among producers in Tamil Nad, to print as many copies as their bank balances would allow them and release them at the maximum number of theatres. But it is a miserable fact, which experience has clearly shown, that many copies of even the best pictures of the past are lying idle within the safe-vaults of the distributors. "From the National outlook too, this is no doubt an unhealthy and anti-social competition. EVen the food for the common man is measured and given in these days and we are taught through posters in public places that we do much harm and injustice to the one in need, if we waste or overconsume any food. In spite of the heavy shortages of food grains, our Government are not in favour of spending away their foreign exchanges on food, as there are other things which are more essential for the progress of our country. "Mr. S. S. Vasan himself has once said that the field for Tamil Pictures is too narrow and little, comparatively to that of Hindi Films, not to speak of English Films. But then, where is the necessity of printing so many copies of one and the same picture? Can't they run successfullv with a limited number of copies throughout the Presidency in a few months, just bv curtailing the number of weeks to run in every city, during the first relcasf? This sort of rationing the number of days, sav for three to four weeks in a place, could give the producers much benefit in the first run itself, contrary to what they may think. There may also be an urgency among people to rush for the picture, lest they mr.y miss it. Further more, they can expect a good collection during the second run also. "Last of all but not the least, they need not waste the precious cine film, which another poor producer is longing for." T. R. R. Swamy. ROBERTSONPET. WHAT PRICE PATRIOTISM? "Recently I had been to a local picture-house. I am a newcomer to this place and it was my first visit to this unfortunate one. What I witnessed here was not only shocking but also very disgraceful to our country. After the picture was over "Bande Mataram" was being played. Morally as well as socially the whole of the audience ought to have stood up, but to my utter dismay as soon as the picture was over people began to leave the hall and by the time the national song was over hardly ten or fifteen remained in the hall, while .the four anna class was altogether empty. Prai sed be the above mentioned geil tlemen — worthy patriots as the are — who have such a high civl sense." ROORKEE. Gajendar Sind WHAT A RAILWAY STATION! | "Have you ever come across p Railway Station without a StJ tion Master, porter, Pan-vendoj a waiting passenger, or at leal a tonga? If you have not, ycl can see it in Firdaus Art Produti tions "Shanti". Was it a Railwa Station or a way-side inn?" T. Satyanarayana Ra. KURNOOL. EXPLAIN THE DANCES | "The other day I went to s(| "Kalpana" produced and direcj ed by Uday Shanker, the famou dancer of international repute, doubt whether this picture wi be a financial triumph to the pre] ducers, but it is admitted witlj out doubt that this picture is I challenge to our old produce]! such as Shantaram, Devki Bosj: and Barua who have been in tr] field since the birth of the film ill dustry and have failed to give J a neat picture like "Kalpanai Cuckoo leads a folk dance in Ratan Pictures' maiden release "Kajal" now running at the Roxy. 64