Indian cinema has a long history dating back to the 19th century. The Lumiere Brothers’ very first films were screened in Mumbai in 1896. (then Bombay).
But history was made when the still photographer Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar, often known as Save Dada, was so inspired by the Lumiere Brothers’ work that he imported a camera from England.
‘The Wrestlers,’ his first picture, was filmed at the Hanging Gardens in Mumbai. It was a rudimentary recording of a wrestling fight that was broadcast in 1899 and is regarded as the Indian Film Industry’s first motion picture.
Bollywood’s beginnings
In 1913, Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, premiered the first full-length feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra.’ The silent movie was a box office hit.
Dadasaheb was the director, writer, cinematographer, editor, make-up artist, and art director in addition to being the producer. Raja Harischandra was the first Indian film, you can watch it at movierulz.hp for free, it has premiered in London, which was released in 1914.
Despite the fact that Indian Cinema’s first mogul, Dadasaheb Phalke, oversaw and controlled the creation of twenty-three films from 1913 to 1918, the Indian Film Industry’s first rise was not as rapid as Hollywood’s.
In the early 1920s, plenty of new production businesses popped up. In the 1920s, films based on religious and mythological truths, as well as events from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, reigned, but Indian audiences also welcomed Hollywood pictures, particularly action movies.
Regional Films’ Expansion
Not only did India experience the rise of Hindi cinema, but it also saw the emergence of a regional film industry.
J.F. Madan created the first Bengali feature film, ‘Nal Damyanti,’ in 1917, using Italian performers in the key roles. Jyotish Sarkar took the pictures.
The first mute South Indian feature film, titled ‘Keechaka Vadham,’ was released in 1919. R. Nataraja Mudaliar of Madras directed the film (Chennai). Manadakini, Dadasaheb Phalke’s daughter, was the first female child celebrity, playing Krishna in Phalke’s ‘Kaliya Mardan’ in 1919. If you prefer kannada movies, then try 3Movierulz Kannada.
The first Bengali talkie film, ‘Jamai Shashthi,’ was released in 1931 and was produced by Madan Theaters Ltd.
H.M. Reddy directed the first Tamil talkie, ‘Kalidass,’ which premiered in Madras on October 31, 1931. Aside from Bengali and South Indian dialects, regional films have been made in Assam, Oriya, Punjabi, Marathi, and other languages.
V. Shantaram’s debut Marathi film, ‘Ayodhecha Raja,’ was released in 1932. This movie was made in two versions.
Prabhat Film Company’s first Indian talkie, ‘Ayodhya ka Raja’ in Hindi and ‘Ayodhecha Raja’ in Marathi, was released in 1932.
The Beginning of a New Era Movies
During World War II, the number of movies made dropped for a brief period. Essentially, the current Indian film business began around 1947. The film business had a significant and extraordinary development during this time period.
Films by notable directors like Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy concentrated on the existence and daily struggles of the lower class.
Historical and mythological subjects faded into the background, while films with moral lessons began to take center stage. These films dealt with issues such as adultery, dowry, polygamy, and other social ills that were common at the time.