19th August 1913 - Kesari, Poona

19th August 1913 - Kesari, Poona

Swadeshi Moving Pictures

Kesari: But what did you do about the practical knowledge that is so essential for the true mastery of any art?

Phalke: Since this knowledge could only be had abroad, I had necessarily to go to England. While purchasing the equipment there, I had a great deal of first-hand knowledge. The equipment dealers demonstrate to clients how to operate the machines.

Kesari: But apart from equipment, there would be many other things that would be required for the production of a perfect film, and these would be more important. How did you get training in those things?

Phalke: The manufacturing process is usually kept secret, but I happened to see all this, through the courtesy of a big film manufacturer near London.

Kesari: It is said that the owners of factories in foreign countries do not show them to foreigners. How far is it true?

Phalke: The charge is generally correct. If you are really a knowledgeable person, you are admired everywhere, and this was my experience too.

The Hepworth factory is immense, perhaps involving a capital of forty million rupees. All the eighteen workshops of the cinema are located on the premises.

The manager of the factory came personally to the railway station to receive me. Not only did he show me the entire factory, but he also arranged for me a special rehearsal demonstrating the shooting on the sets.

Kesari: How big really is this moving picture industry?

Phalke:

There may be about fifty thousand cinematograph machines showing films all over the world.

In London alone, there are five hundred theatres showing films.

But once the film is made, it is possible to have as many copies as desired, and since an exhibitor only needs a projector and a small electric generator, the film-showing companies are numerous.

Kesari:

Kesari: What is the standard speed of taking photographs?

Phalke:

Kesari: Generally, what are the dimensions of each picture?

Phalke: It is one inch long and three-quarters of an inch wide, about the size of a thumb.

The film ‘Harischandra’ is 3,700 feet long.

That means it contains about 40,000 different pictures.

When these pictures are shown one by one within an hour or so, the illusion of the story becomes convincing.

Kesari: Would you continue to make pictures in the future?

Phalke: Yes.

Kesari: On what subjects would you specially like to make films?

Phalke: On all subjects. old Sanskrit plays, and new Marathi plays, on manners and customs in different parts of India, on genuine Indian humor, on holy places and pilgrimages, on social functions as well as on scientific and educational subjects.

Phalke travels everywhere with the film, and meets Baburao and Anandrao Painter, who are exhibitors of the film.