excerpts:
'As for the Indian Film business, it has suffered so far due to the distribution of Indian films being in the hands of a syndicate which has been having its own way with the result that in 1942 people in East Africa are compelled to see 1930 productions like "Gaibi Gola and "Noor-E-Watan"
.....the syndicate controls the cinemas with the result that for the time being I am shut out....
...The Indian film therefore, has, in a place like Nairobi with a population of 20,000 Indians only 6 shows a week - 4 on Sundays and 1 on each Mondays and Wednesdays. In Mombasa with an Indian population of 14,000 they get only 4 shows a week, 3 on Sunday and 1 on Monday.
....The result is that there is so much rush at the cinema that respectable family people refrain from going to the pictures to avoid being crushed. Both Nairobi and Mombasa are capable of maintaining an all time Indian cinema...
...no junk should be sent to Africa. Africa needs only 50 pictures a year and surely India can send only 50 good pictures a year. Producers should realize that the Indian pictures are well patronized not only the Indians but also by the natives of Africa and even by several Europeans.'
The Film India reporter Mr Kanga was recognized in various places including Jinga...and the reporter indicated:
'I assure you every Indian without exception reads Film India in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. It is one magazine that is awaited with anticipation and pleasure....
...one thing is certain and that is that the value of "Film India" as the medium of advertising Indian films in East Africa is tremendous ...
Comments:
In 1942 there appears to be 2 cinemas in Mombasa, Regal which opened in 1931 and the Majestic which opened in 1933. They probably had contracts with 20th Century Fox etc. which prevented them from showing more Indian film shows!!
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