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Happy Birthday Dadasaheb Phalke: The Father Of Indian Cinema

Even after all these years, Dadasaheb Phalke's name is synonymous with the pioneers of Indian cinema. Thanks to a mind, that never stopped asking questions.

Dhundhiraj Govind Phalke, a.k.a Dadasaheb Phalke was born on this very day, 148 years ago. Famously known as the ‘Father of Indian Cinema’, he made India’s first silent film – Raja Harishchandra in 1913.

Doing a bunch of jobs including, collaborating with a man employed by the Lumiere Brothers, working for the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI), Phalke couldn’t stick on to one thing until he discovered films. Watching a mythological films about Jesus Christ, he apparently got the idea to depict his own Gods, in a film.

Phalke went on to make 95 movies and 27 short films in a career spanning 19 years. Phalke’s struggles to put together is first film was dramatised in Paresh Mokashi’s Harishchandrachi Factory.

As the Google Doodle honours the great man today, film personalities are honoured each year, in his name. Even after all this time, Phalke’s name remains synonymous with the pioneering accomplishments of Indian cinema.  All thanks to a mind, that never stopped asking questions.