FilmIndia (1946)

March, 1946 Recruit G. L. Narang of P O Box 225, Karachi, has had considerable <tagp experience and feels that he can do it on the screen. masses. Can we hope to see something better, something saner in 1946 at least?" H. S. Venkata Rao. MYSORE. IMPROVING? "Times are changing for the good. Recently we had in our city a series of grand, gala releases of new Tamil trashes, including Subbulakshmi's 'Meera' — all of them simul taneously in two theatres. Generally, in spite of the changed economic conditions, these pictures would have run undisturbed for at least a few weeks in all the theatres. Thanks to our film going public, all these pictures had to be withdrawn trnm one of the theatres before barely 1 week of their releases and in the rest they are facing an ordeal. "We, South Indians, mo are going forward. Mr. Patel, and not a little credit for this almost impossible achievement goes to you for your in cessant campaign for the boycott ot bad pictures". N. S. V. Chalam BANGALORE. SIDE SHOW, EH! "The other day I went to see Dalsukh's "Dhamki" at the local Nigar Talkies and was hurt to note that Police constables helping some black-marketeers by procuring tickets for sale. Further, I noticed that these constables approach people who stand at the tail end of the queue and inform them that as the booking is likely to close very soon, they can not get tickets. Then they ask fot black-market charges from them and go straight into the booking-office and bring the desired number r»i tickets". CAWNPORE. S. Dutta. SUPER, BOMBAY? "I have been seeing the mysterious black-marketing at Super Cinema, Bombay, since two years. Thinking that they would realise their mis management I kept quiet all these days. But they are becoming worse day by day. The managing authorities of that cinema house have no sympathy with the poor persons, who are not able to spend more than ten annas. So I am forced to write this grievance to you. "Sir, recently, I wanted to visit the Eastern Pictures 'Zeenat' for 4 o'clock show. I left home at 1 o'clock and reached the theatre at 2 o'clock. I was the 20th person in the queue. So I expected to get a ticket easily and I stood in the severe hot sun till 4 o'clock. Can I not expect one, Sir? But the man who is appointed by the theatre to allow a person to take only one ticket at the window, is pocketing the tickets with one hand and allowing the queue to pass on quickly with another hand. The police on duly also stand near the window. By the time my previous person got a chance to go to the hooking window, they declared that the tickets were sold out. So the queue dispersed. Soon after he (appointed man) began to shout: "Dass anna waalc sava rupayya. laldi lev". The enthusiastic persons with patience to stand in the queue were disappointed. II they want to complain to the Manager, there is nobody to hear". S. C Ma \ii 1. BOMBAY. THE DIRGE? "About three years back we heard. Shantaram had started a Film Academy. A number of students too were admitted there to study the different branches of motion-picture making. With "filmindia" at its back, the Academy soon became famous throughout the country. FILMINDIA Strangely enough, we heai nothing about it now. If it be still running, please advise Shantaram to better close it down for even a corpse is borne with shouts ". R. N. Tewary. ARRAH. UNOFFICIAL REVIEW '"Chandraprabha Cinetone's Tamil film 'Meera' is a tragedy, though fully deserved. As a motion picture it is a colossal failure. In fact, it is a distortion of history to suit the fancies of the producers, whose only aim was to produce a picture, to be dominated entirely by M. S. Subhn lakshmi and her music. "Mr. V. Nagiah who usually does well, looks anything but the Rana of Chittor, Subbulakshmi as the devout Meera, in spite of the best efforts of the cameraman, confirms one's conviction that the proper place for her is a music hall and not the Silver Screen. The rest in the picture deser ves no comment. "Subbulakshmi's songs — rather too many — though sung with emotion, do not keep up her usual standard and except for one or two none of them will become popular tunes. "The only consolation one could find throughout the two hours of boredom is a variety of beautiful hut Recruit K. B. Grover of S A A Branch O. F. Khamaria, Jubbulpore, is both voung and enthusiastic and he has talent which can be used for the films. 63