Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Dadasaheb Phalke

Role / Field:

The acclaimed 'Father of Indian Cinema', pioneering director and producer.

Born:

1870-04-30

Died:

1944-02-16

Century / Era:

1870s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was an Indian producer, director and screenwriter, widely regarded as "the Father of Indian cinema". Phalke’s debut film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), was the first Indian motion picture and is recognised as India's first full-length Indian historical feature film on Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra. The movie’s success marked the beginning of Indian cinema and inspired the growth of the film industry in the country. Over his career spanning nearly two decades, Phalke made 94 feature-length films and 27 short films between 1913 and 1937.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His most notable works include Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918), and Kaliya Mardan (1919). He was known for his creativity, technical innovation and ability to adapt Indian historical stories for the screen, often handling multiple departments such as editing, set design and makeup himself. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, the Government of India instituted the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in his honour. It remains the highest award in Indian cinema, presented annually as part of the National Film Awards to honour lifetime...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dadasaheb Phalke