Which Was The First Indian Feature Film?
In 1913, the first Indian silent film was released. Named Raja Harishchandra, it was based on the life of a legendary Indian ruler known for his truthful and honest nature. The film was produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. Dattatraya Damodar Dabke portrayed the main character of King Harishchandra. The other important cast in the feature film were Anna Salunke, Gajanan Vasudev Sane, and Bhalchandra Phalke. The film was accompanied by subtitles that were available in Hindi, English, and Marathi languages.
The 1906 film The Life of Christ inspired Phalke to make a feature film in his own country. Female actors were not available at that time and thus, female characters were played by male actors. The film was completed in 6 months and 27 days. About four reels or 1,100 m long reel was needed to complete the film.
The Olympia Theatre in Bombay served as the venue of the premiere of the film on April 21, 1913. The first film produced in India was a grand success. It thus laid the foundation for India’s film industry. Today, the film is partially lost as only two reels of the film have survived and stored at the National Film Archive of India.
A Major Debate: Raja Harischandra Or Shree Pundalik?
While Raja Harischandra is recognized as the first Indian feature film by the Government of India, a section of critics do not believe so. According to them, Shree Pundalik, a film directed by Dadasaheb Torne alias Rama Chandra Gopal, is more deserving of this title. The 22 minutre long film was released on May 18, 1912, at Coronation Cinematograph, Girgaum where it ran for a fortnight. Shree Pundalik was also a silent film. However, many have argued that this film does not deserve to be called “Indian” because it was a Marathi play’s photographic recording, the cameraman was British, and the processing of the film took place in London.
In 1913, the first Indian silent film was released. Named Raja Harishchandra, it was based on the life of a legendary Indian ruler known for his truthful and honest nature. The film was produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. Dattatraya Damodar Dabke portrayed the main character of King Harishchandra. The other important cast in the feature film were Anna Salunke, Gajanan Vasudev Sane, and Bhalchandra Phalke. The film was accompanied by subtitles that were available in Hindi, English, and Marathi languages.
The 1906 film The Life of Christ inspired Phalke to make a feature film in his own country. Female actors were not available at that time and thus, female characters were played by male actors. The film was completed in 6 months and 27 days. About four reels or 1,100 m long reel was needed to complete the film.
The Olympia Theatre in Bombay served as the venue of the premiere of the film on April 21, 1913. The first film produced in India was a grand success. It thus laid the foundation for India’s film industry. Today, the film is partially lost as only two reels of the film have survived and stored at the National Film Archive of India.
A Major Debate: Raja Harischandra Or Shree Pundalik?
While Raja Harischandra is recognized as the first Indian feature film by the Government of India, a section of critics do not believe so. According to them, Shree Pundalik, a film directed by Dadasaheb Torne alias Rama Chandra Gopal, is more deserving of this title. The 22 minutre long film was released on May 18, 1912, at Coronation Cinematograph, Girgaum where it ran for a fortnight. Shree Pundalik was also a silent film. However, many have argued that this film does not deserve to be called “Indian” because it was a Marathi play’s photographic recording, the cameraman was British, and the processing of the film took place in London.
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