FilmIndia (Feb-Dec 1949)

JAGAT PICTURES (Bombay) Running at twenty-five different stations all over India and Pakistan. Lala Jagat Narain's "Sunhere Din" has proved popular with all types of lilmgoers. With good performances from stars like Nigar Sultana, Rehana and Raj Kapoor, it is no wonder the masses are flocking to see it. "Shair", their next, dealing with the life and loves of a poet promises to be another interesting picture. The cast consists of top-liners like Kamini Kaushal and Suraiya, the hero being played by Dev Anand. FILMISTAN LTD. (Bombay) Producer S. Mukerji is working at a feverish speed to complete "Shabnam" scheduled for an early release in Bombay. "Shabnam" stars the romantic screen team of Kamini Kaushal and Dilip Kumar and deals with the Burmese refugees who came here during the war. "Samadhi" starring Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jay want and directed by Ramesh Sehgal is more than half completed. Meanwhile director Santoshi is busy picking out gags for his ambitious musical "Sargam'' starring Rehana. And Najam Naqvi has completed the script work for his next directorial assignment. FAMOUS PICTURES LTD. (Bombay) "Bari Bahen" has again done the trick. The long queues day in and day out, outside the Imperial, Bombay, testify to the box-office popularity of '"Bari Bahen". This probably explains the ear-to-ear smile worn by Producer Baburao Pai these days. At the studios two pictures, "Hamari Manzil" featuring Nirupa Rov and Prem Adib and "Galyachi Shapath" (in Marathi) are more than half-way through. Producer Pai is now busy planning the production of a classic picture on the life of Swami Ramteerth, one of India's noblest saints. HALDIA NANDA PRODUCTIONS ( Bombaj ) Director J. K. Nanda's pride picture "Singaar" is awaiting release. All reports about "Singaar" have only made filmgoers more anxious to see it. With a sensitive artiste like Madhubala, Suraiya and Jairaj, "Singaar"' has every chance of mass appeal. Meanwhile. "Mehfil" is ready to go to the sets. NATIONAL THEATRES (Bombay) The always-enterprising K. Asif, has taken charge of the Amar Studios, Dadar, to enable him to do the shooting of "Hul Chul" as smooth ly as possible. The Amar Studios have been christened Rang Mahal Studios and let us hope with this changeover, a new cycle of good motion pictures starts. Producer-director Raj Kapoor is also completing some scenes of "Barsaat" in these studios. HINDUSTAN CHITRA (Bombay) "Sawan Aya Re" written, produced and directed by Kishore Sahu is still going strong at the Krishna. Always known for his novel approach in writing story and dialogue, Kishore has gone up in the estimation of his film fans by giving an original treatment to an otherwise ordinary plot. Apart from the I the histrionic talent of the difi artistes is fully utilized and! perhaps adds to the emotionall tents of "Sawan Aya Re". SiJ side, Kishore is now working ol script of "Rim Jhim" starring* self and the talented Ramola. I RATAN PICTURES (Bombay) "Char Din" directed by one q most popular directors, M. a is doing good business at the ] Bombay, where it is drawing pJ houses. The highlights of the! ture are the photography ami enterprising shots taken by din Sadiq. "Char Din" stars Sul and some of the tunes sung bi are reported to have become po]l FAVOURITE FILMS (Bombay) I Directed by Mohamed Hussaul starring Shyama, Culnar, the a ful Cuckoo, comedian Bhagwall debonair \rvind Kumar, "] Lekha"" has made good progn the Rang Mahal Studios. On the attractive features of the piH is its lilting music. Di-tril| Curio collecting must be Pandit Nehru's hobby, tin waj be brought I Kashmiri musicians ill the >»a> from Srinagar to \c« Delhi to entertain members of the Constituent Assembly, li i> altogether another storj thai n members «l»-|>i through the performance. 74