Before Bollywood's first star was born, there was a dreamer who danced with shadows. Dadasaheb Phalke, a magician of light, who turned silver screens into portals of wonder. With a hand-cranked camera and a heart full of stories, he painted moving dreams in 1913, birthing not just a film, but an entire universe of Indian cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke's first film Raja Harishchandra' emerged in 1913 – a silent masterpiece born from 7,000 feet of film, four months of labor, and ₹15,000 of courage. A mythological marvel that birthed Indian cinema's first steps. Here are some lesser known facts about Father of Indian Cinema: The Artistic Genesis At 15, young Phalke stepped into J.J School Of Art, Mumbai, immersing himself in sculpture, drawing, painting, and photography – laying the foundation for his visual storytelling. The Vadodara Chapter 1890 marked his modest beginnings as a photographer in Vadodara, Gujarat – a stepping stone in his visual journey. Personal Tragedy Life dealt a cruel blow when the Bubonic Plague claimed his first wife and child, forcing him to abandon photography – a turning point in his destiny. The Print Pioneer From Archaeological Survey's draftsman to entrepreneurship, he ventured into printing press ownership in Maharashtra – showing his business acumen. The German Enchantment His collaboration with Indian master Raja Ravi Varma led to a transformative overseas journey, apprenticing with German magician Carl Hertz – adding magic to his craft. The Divine Inspiration Watching "The Life of Christ" by Ferdinand Zecca sparked his cinematic dreams – the moment that birthed Indian cinema. The Casting Chronicles His unique casting call included the amusing disclaimer "ugly faces need not apply" – revealing his particular vision for aesthetic perfection. The Family Feature "Raja Harishchandra" became a family affair – directing, acting, and distributing himself, while his wife designed costumes and son acted, all within a budget of ₹15,000. Notably, he had to cast a male actor in the female lead. The Legacy Lives On His great-grandniece Sharayu Phalke Summanwar preserved his legacy through "The Silent Film" biography – ensuring his story echoes through generations.Original Article by Dainik Bhaskar
