In 1913, Indian cinema took its first monumental step with the release of Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature film. Directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke—often called the “Father of Indian Cinema”—this silent film told the legendary tale of King Harishchandra, known for his unwavering truthfulness and sacrifice. Inspired by Hindu mythology and influenced by early Western cinema, particularly the works of the Lumière brothers and Italian epics, Phalke saw film as a powerful medium to bring Indian stories to life.

Before venturing into filmmaking, Dadasaheb Phalke had a diverse background in the visual arts. He trained at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay and later studied photography, lithography, and printing in Germany. His experience as a painter, stage set designer, and photographer helped him master the technical and artistic challenges of early filmmaking. This multidisciplinary expertise allowed Phalke to visualize and execute Raja Harishchandra with a clarity and innovation far ahead of his time.

The making of Raja Harishchandra was no easy feat—Phalke had to train actors, build sets from scratch, and even convince male actors to play female roles, as women were not yet part of the industry. The film was a commercial success, proving that Indian audiences were ready for homegrown storytelling. This landmark achievement laid the foundation for Bollywood and the broader Indian film industry, which has since become one of the largest and most influential in the world. From that humble beginning, Indian cinema has grown into a cultural powerhouse, producing films that blend tradition with innovation, captivating audiences worldwide.