| Feature | Detail | | :--- | :--- | | | Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (Dadasaheb Phalke) | | Release Date | May 3, 1913 | | Runtime | 40 minutes (Original) / 70 minutes (Restored) | | Language | Silent (Intertitles in English and Hindi/Marathi) | | Budget | Approximately ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 (Equivalent to roughly ₹3.5 crore today) | | Main Cast | D.D. Dabke (Harishchandra), P.G. Sane (Vishwamitra), Anna Salunke (Taramati) |
Raja Harishchandra gave birth to an industry that now produces over 1,500 films a year. In 2013, on its centenary, Google honored Dadasaheb Phalke with a Doodle. Today, India’s highest award for cinematic achievement is the . Hindi Movie Raja Harishchandra
To understand the scale of this achievement, compare the making of Raja Harishchandra (1913) to a modern Hindi blockbuster (e.g., Jawan or Brahmāstra ). | Feature | Detail | | :--- |
The is recognized as the first full-length Indian feature film, marking the birth of Indian cinema on May 3, 1913. Directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke , the "Father of Indian Cinema," this 40-minute silent mythological masterpiece was premiered at the Coronation Cinema in Bombay (now Mumbai). The Legend of Truth and Sacrifice In 2013, on its centenary, Google honored Dadasaheb
was a silent film with intertitles in Marathi and Hindi. Based on the legend of the righteous King Harishchandra, it tells the story of a man who sacrifices his kingdom, his wealth, and his family to uphold his word and his honor. For an audience used to traditional folk theatre and oral storytelling, seeing these characters "alive" on screen was magical. 3. Making History with No Actresses
The Birth of Indian Cinema: Remembering Raja Harishchandra (1913)