Home / Entertainment / Bollywood News / Photos / Celebrating 110 years of India's first feature film 'Raja Harishchandra'

Celebrating 110 years of India's first feature film 'Raja Harishchandra'

Updated On: 03 May, 2023 07:44 PM IST | Bahni Bandyopadhyay

India's first feature film 'Raja Harishchandra' was premiered on this day, back in 1913. The movie, made by the Father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was screened on May 3 at the Coronation Cinematograph and Variety Hall, Sandhurst Road, Girgaum, Bombay. As the film completes 110 years of release, here's looking at some of the lesser-known facts associated with it.

  • WhatsApp
  • Twitter
  • WhatsAppBookmarkBookmark
01
Raja Harishchandra Is regarded as the first full-length feature film ever made in India
Raja Harishchandra Is regarded as the first full-length feature film ever made in India
02
Raja Harishchandra is a 1913 Indian silent film directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke.

Raja Harishchandra is a 1913 Indian silent film directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke.

03
Dadasaheb Phalke held the first show of 'Raja Harishchandra' - which is widely considered the first Indian feature film - at Bombay’s Olympia Picture Palace on April 21, 1913. It was commercially premiered on May 3 at Coronation Cinematograph and Variety Hall, Sandhurst Road, Girgaum, Bombay.

Dadasaheb Phalke held the first show of 'Raja Harishchandra' - which is widely considered the first Indian feature film - at Bombay’s Olympia Picture Palace on April 21, 1913. It was commercially premiered on May 3 at Coronation Cinematograph and Variety Hall, Sandhurst Road, Girgaum, Bombay.

04
The movie depicts the story of King Harishchandra, an ancient ruler from India, known for his honesty. 'Raja Harishchandra' features Dattatraya Damodar Dabke, Anna Salunke, Bhalchandra Phalke, and Gajanan Vasudev Sane.

The movie depicts the story of King Harishchandra, an ancient ruler from India, known for his honesty. 'Raja Harishchandra' features Dattatraya Damodar Dabke, Anna Salunke, Bhalchandra Phalke, and Gajanan Vasudev Sane.

05
Dadasaheb Phalke funded the movie himself. When he returned to India, he encashed his life insurance policies and his wife sold her jewellery to obtain the money required to make the movie. 

Dadasaheb Phalke funded the movie himself. When he returned to India, he encashed his life insurance policies and his wife sold her jewellery to obtain the money required to make the movie. 

06
A section of the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai is dedicated to 'Raja Harishchandra'. The film took Phalke seven months and 21 days in total to complete. 

A section of the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai is dedicated to 'Raja Harishchandra'. The film took Phalke seven months and 21 days in total to complete. 

Recommended Photos

Next Gallery

Photo of Day

High tidal waves in Mumbai delay Lalbaugcha Raja`s visarjan

High tidal waves in Mumbai delay Lalbaugcha Raja`s visarjan

The iconic Lalbaugcha Raja idol was shifted onto a raft on Sunday afternoon after delays since morning due to high tide and technical challenges, with final immersion, delayed by several hours, expected to take place around 11 pm, officials said.