Page 8 - NIS English 16-30 April, 2026

PERSONALITY | Dada Saheb Phalke

Dada Saheb Phalke

Brought Aatmanirbharta to the Indian cinema

Dada Saheb Phalke was the visionary who propagated
‘Make in India’ and brought `Aatmanirbharta’ to the
Indian cinema sector. Father of Indian Cinema Dada
Saheb Phalke, aka Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, possessed
a deep devotion to the arts since childhood. In his
films, he always used local artists and propagated the
inclusion of indigenous locations and technical support
which were locally available. His patriotism, his passion
for Indian cinema, his foresight, and his enduring

Born: legacy continue to inspire storytellers and filmmakers
April 30, 1870 across the globe to this very day.

Died:
February 16, 1944

e was a man who possessed neither wealth in Nashik, Maharashtra. Over a career spanning 19
nor any insurance policy. Consequently, he years, he produced a multitude of films, including 95
Hsold his wife’s jewellery to procure everything feature films and 27 short films. Apart from ‘Raja Har-
necessary for film production. This remarkable indi- ishchandra’, some of Dadasaheb’s renowned films
vidual not only created films but also paved the way include ‘Mohini Bhasmasur’, ‘Satyavan Savitri’, ‘Lanka
for generations to come. He introduced the people of Dahan’, ‘Shri Krishna Janma’, and ‘Kaliya Mardan’.
India to the beauty of the cinematic experience and ‘Mohini Bhasmasur’, produced by him, was the first
paved the path for the industry to evolve into one of film to feature female actors, while ‘Lanka Dahan’ –
the largest entertainment sectors in the world. Da- made in 1917 – marked the first instance of an actor
dasaheb Phalke, who made significant contributions performing a double role. ‘Setu Bandhan’, produced
across various disciplines, including screenwriting, in 1932, was his final silent film, while he produced
film production, and direction, is celebrated as the only one talkie: ‘Gangavataran’. Dadasaheb Phalke’s
Father of Indian Cinema; it was he who laid the foun- name is etched in golden letters in the history of
dation for the magical world of Indian cinema with Indian cinema. He passed away on February 16, 1944.
the release of the very first Indian feature film, ‘Raja The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour
Harishchandra’. in cinema, is conferred for outstanding contributions
Born on April 30, 1870, at Trimbakeshwar near and achievements in Indian cinema. This award was
Nashik in Maharashtra, he was inspired to make films instituted in 1969, marking the birth centenary year
after watching the movie ‘The Life of Christ’. Conse- of Dadasaheb. On May 1, 2025, while reflecting on
quently, he established the Phalke Film Company India’s rich cinematic history at the ‘Waves’ Summit,
in 1912. On May 3, 1913, he screened his first silent Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Da-
film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’, at the Coronation Theatre dasaheb Phalke. He noted that on May 3, 1913, Raja
in Bombay. During that era, he conducted numerous Harishchandra, India’s first feature film, was released,
innovative experiments in filmmaking and, in 1917, having been directed by the pioneering filmmaker
laid the foundation of the Hindustan Film Company Dadasaheb Phalke. n

6 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || April 16-30, 2026