FilmIndia (1946)

( This is the reader's forum— as and when space permits. From the producer to the lay film-goer, every one can M JK f Q \ g write to the Editor and ventilate his grievance, tor every letter Letters should be signed and marked "Woes And Echoes' Photographs of the readers will be published along with their letters, if convenient. — The Editor. ) NOT FAR "Literature is the mirror of life. By the literature of a country we can understand the modes of living of its people, their philosophies of life, their codes of morals. Films, too, being literally based upon one of the most important branches of literature, fiction, serves the same purpose. Can this definition hold good in case of Indian films? If not, and on the contrary they distort our culture and give a vicious tinge to our civilization, why are the producers not treated as criminals? Do the popular ministries, enjoying the full confidence of the people, not find any fault with these pictures presenting India in false colours and vulgarising our society? How far is it to go — how far?" BOMBAY. Ikhlas M. Khan. YES, PRAY "Believe me, I became a 'Shikar' of disgust and annoyance after seeing Filmistan's 'Shikari'. This is another story of exploitation of hard-earned money of the teeming millions of India. Military scenes, and that is the only side I am going to deal with, in the picture are an utter chaos. They are anything but true and realistic. Fancy Ashok Kumar firing one of our own light machine guns — not Japanese — without even changing the magazine. For the information and future guidance of Filmistan, the magazines of the type used in the picture contain only 28 rounds. It would have been appreciated if Ashok Kumar had shown the same dexterity in changing the magazine as in firing. I wonder if he had both his eyes open or both closed; after all, the recoil and blast is considerable. "Then see hundred of 'poops' dressed in Japanese uniform exhibiting our Mk. Ill rifle and bayonets and did you notice those walking bushes when Filmistan's 'Guerillas' attacked the Japanese from the rear? The Japanese — the acknowledged veterans of Suresh is worried and Chandni is more worried in "Sona Chandi" a social story of R. D. Pareenja. jungle warfare — are not fools to have missed such a ridiculous and attention-engaging happening. Last but not the least visualise our ace-actor firing a pistol, at a target weil over 50 yards from behind a rock (once correct, at least) and inflicting casualties every time. His pistol, too, seemed to have a magazine which was automatically loaded. These are the few commonsense things, that even a layman would discover, leave alone showing Japanese foolishness in leaving the entire camp unguarded and left exclusively at the pleasure and mercy of the hero. I can assure you that Japanese were the most careful and suspicious enemies one could have. "I am confident that the Indian Army would have been only too glad to help out 'Filmistan' by lending some real Japanese equipment which was captured in abundance. It will take considerable effort on our part to mix up the two sounds — our .303 ordinary sound of the shot and Japanese .256 characteristic "Tuk-Dhoon." "A technical military adviser, which job quite a few of us would have done just to oblige "Filmistan" without any monetary loss to them, could have easily omitted these mistakes and blunders like a sentry standing like a dope, in the open and on the sky-line, moving his rifle to and fro; was he trying to frighten some crows? A man with the slightest commonsense, but this is so very uncommon, could have avoided that sort of humbug. Most appalling ignorance and stubbornness to refuse to learn things! "It is just a question of pulling one's weight; no offences. "But what can we do? Hold on! "Many things are wrought by prayer", so did the revered old man say only the other day, or didn't he?" FATEHGARH. Lt. B. Avasthy. INDIVIDUAL VICE "In the last issue of your magazine some one has asked you 65