FilmIndia (1948)

OC5 (This is the reader's forum — as and when space permits From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one cat\ write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance. For every letteii published in these columns, the publishers will pay Rs. 5/J| Letters should be signed and marked " Hoes And Echoes' Photographs of the readers will be published along with theii letters, if convenient. — The Editor. I A JOB FOR V. P. MENON "Being fully aware of the stand taken by you, in bettering the lot of the Indian movie-goer, I wish to draw your attention to the following facts. '"Bhopal State, comprising of a very large number of regular filmgoers, can boast of but one picturehouse, the Bhopal Talkies. This theatre, which is run entirely on pecuniary motives, is believed to have acquired from the Government of Bhopal a monopoly as the sole exhibitors in the State for a period of twenty-five years. 'The Government of Bhopal has Minted a deaf ear to several representations and requests made, by enthusiastic exhibitors for the building of newer and modern picture houses in the State. This has gone a long way in helping the management of the Bhopal Talkies to adopt a dominating and bossy attitude towards the common film-goer. No film-goers, particularly those wishing to buy a ticket for the higher classes, could freely go to the booking office and Expect to get a seat even though it is quite evident that several seats are yet to be occupied. The management makes one believe that the hall has already been reserved, and that seats would be available only if certain parties fail to turn up. These parties are none other than those closely connected with the management, their friends and relatives. The less said of the sanitary conditions of this theatre the better, for to say that the place is dirty, would be a grave understatement. And this is no fault of the Bhopal Talkies, for they are not one bit threatened with any competition emanating from a rival exhibitor and as such they are confident of their security. "Whither Bhopal?" BHOPAL STATE E. Z. Ore}. MALIK'S BUSINESS "In one of the issues of "filmindia" during the year 1946-47 there was an advertisement from Malik Productions Bombay. In this, the said producers had under the publicity of '•Chalte Chalte", announced a cash reward of Rs. 2U0|to the person who would suggest a most appropriate name for a newly found female artiste whose photo was also given therein. From Madras I too had suggested a few names. Now I find lhat the name selected for the said artiste is the name suggested by me, hence I am entitled to the announced reward of Rs. 200| which I have not received as yet. It was also stated that the results of this reward would be announced in "filmindia" which I never saw." BOMBAY. C. P. Dixit. (This announcement was never published in "filmindia". You may have read it elsewhere. Ask Malik about it anyway. — Ed.) A CRY IN WILDERNESS "Today in India we find a lot of films which are either romantic, historical or musical, but I have not seen a single film which gives one education or knowledge. In many films, people are taught to rob, steal or murder in darkness or in broad daylight, but we arc not shown any pic ture giving us ideas how to impr ourselves, our families, our villa and towns to live better lives, producers in India should give films showing the lives of great torical figures, scientists, natiol leaders, and also films showing new advances in science, medical si gery, commerce, campaign agaij plague, malaria, cholera, T.B. a other diseases. May I draw the att> tion of Indian film producers to tj great need?" BOMBAY. Samuel Ham THEY ARE ALL LIKE THA "I had an opportunity to "Samrat Ashok" produced by K, Lai. I appreciate the sincere effo of its producers to give it historic colours. They have tried to ere; the atmosphere also, but I feel tl the producers have failed to dep this glorious emperor of the past a just and fitting manner. "The whole story does not give any information about Ashok mo than what a boy of the fourth cla knows from his history book. The is more praise for Senapati than f Ashoka himself. We have a ve h;~h. conception of Ashoka from h This will please the prohibitionists. A milk bar scene from Cbitra Production "Aaj Aur Kal", starring Naintara, Shyam and Nita. 68