After 100 Years - Indian Cinema is Still Young!

Today, i.e. on May 3, 2013, Indian Cinema has completed its 100 years and is still young as it was 100 years ago when the first full length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dada Saheb Phalke, was released. It was Dada Saheb Phalke, who envisioned the establishment of Indian Cinema and worked on his own to fulfill his dream.

Raja Harishchandra, a 40 minute film based on a story of righteous Indian king who never told a lie, was shot mostly at Phalke’s house with a motley group of actors including his young son. People used to call him ambitious man, but he had a far sighted vision and caliber to make changes. Phalke had to face numerous hurdles to make Raja Harishchandra, the least of which was convincing an actor to shave off his moustache to portray a woman because the idea of using female actors was unthinkable at that time.

Now, Indian Film Industry is worth of 112.4 billion rupees (over US$ 2 billion) and leads the world in terms of films produced and tickets sold. At present, Dada Saheb Phalke is not alive but his style of film making and zeal to set landmarks is still drawing attention of new filmmakers. In the year 1969, the government of India instituted Dada Saheb Phalke Award in his honor and since then this prestigious award has been given annually for the lifetime contribution to cinema.

In last 100 years, Indian cinema has achieved remarkable success in terms of expanding film business and bringing up positive changes in the society. And, has also emerged as a pivotal force behind the social, economical and political development of the nation.