The Indian cinematic journey traces back to 1896, when Mumbai (then Bombay) hosted screenings of the first motion pictures by the Lumière Brothers. These early silent visuals captivated Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar, fondly remembered as Save Dada. Inspired, he imported a camera from England and created India’s first documented film, The Wrestlers, filmed at Mumbai’s Hanging Gardens in 1899 — widely regarded as the birth of Indian film.
The Rise of Silent Stories
In 1913, Dadasaheb Phalke, the pioneering spirit behind Indian filmmaking, released Raja Harishchandra — the country’s first full-length silent feature. A resounding commercial success, Phalke wore many hats: producer, director, writer, cameraman, editor, makeup artist, and art director. In 1914, the film reached audiences in London, marking India’s cinematic footprint on global soil. Between 1913 and 1918, Phalke helmed 23 films, laying the foundation for Indian filmmaking, though its growth was slower than Hollywood’s swift expansion.
The 1920s saw a boom in production companies. Mythological epics based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata ruled the screens, while Indian viewers also flocked to Hollywood’s gripping action films
A turning point arrived in 1931 with Ardeshir Irani’s Alam Ara — India’s first sound film. Music director Phiroz Shah composed its score, and the first recorded song, De de khuda ke naam par, performed by W.M. Khan, ushered in a new era. Film production skyrocketed — 328 films in 1931 compared to 108 just four years earlier. Grand cinemas were built, and audiences grew rapidly.
The 1930s and ’40s witnessed the rise of cinematic trailblazers like Debaki Bose, Chetan Anand, S.S. Vasan, and Nitin Bose.
The Dawn of Sound: Beginning of Talkies
A turning point arrived in 1931 with Ardeshir Irani’s Alam Ara — India’s first sound film. Music director Phiroz Shah composed its score, and the first recorded song, De de khuda ke naam par, performed by W.M. Khan, ushered in a new era. Film production skyrocketed — 328 films in 1931 compared to 108 just four years earlier. Grand cinemas were built, and audiences grew rapidly.
The 1930s and ’40s witnessed the rise of cinematic trailblazers like Debaki Bose, Chetan Anand, S.S. Vasan, and Nitin Bose.
Regional Cinemas Make Their Mark
Indian cinema’s scope broadened beyond Hindi films. In 1917, the first Bengali feature film Nal Damyanti, starring Italian actors and shot by Jyotish Sarkar, hit the screen. South India followed with Keechaka Vadham in 1919, produced by R. Nataraja Mudaliar in Madras.
Notably, Phalke’s daughter Mandakini became Indian first female child star in Kaliya Mardan. The regional sound era began in 1931 with Jamai Shashthi (Bengali) and Kalidass (Tamil). Assamese, Oriya, Punjabi, Marathi and other languages soon found their cinematic voices.
In 1932, V. Shantaram directed Ayodhecha Raja, the first Marathi talkie. Released in two versions — Hindi (Ayodhya ka Raja) and Marathi (Ayodhecha Raja) — it was Prabhat Film Company’s landmark production.
Post-Independence Renaissance
World War II saw a dip in film production, but post-1947 marked a creative surge. Filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy began telling human-centered stories, steering away from mythology and towards social realism — highlighting issues like dowry, polygamy, and prostitution.
In the 1960s, directors such as Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen portrayed the struggles of ordinary people with poignant honesty, gaining international recognition for Indian cinema.
The Golden Era of Indian Film
The 1950s and ’60s are celebrated as the golden age of Indian cinema — introducing iconic actors such as Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nutan, and Waheeda Rehman, among others.
Melodies That Defined Indian Films
No discussion of Indian cinema is complete without mentioning its musical heartbeat. Songs form the soul of Indian films — setting them apart globally. The industry has gifted generations of remarkable lyricists, composers, and vocalists, with music deeply interwoven into storytelling.