![100 years Old First Feature Film of Indian Cinema : Raja Harishchandra [ 03 May 1913 ].](https://www.lenseye.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Raja-Harischandra.jpg)
03 May 2013 :: Raja Harishchandra is a 1913 silent Indian film directed and produced by Indian icon Dadasaheb Phalke, and is the first full-length Indian feature film. The film was based on the legend of King Harishchandra, recounted in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and was released on 3rd of May 1913.
The film marked a historic benchmark in the film industry in India. Only one print of the film was made and shown at the Coronation Cinema Hall. It was a commercial success and paved the way for more such films.
The film premiered on 21st of April 1913 at the Olympia Theatre, Grant Road for a selective audience that included famous personalities of Mumbai and editors of many newspapers. It was first shown in public on 3 May 1913, at Mumbai’s Coronation Cinema, Girgaon, where crowds thronged the roads outside the hall, as it marked the beginning of the Indian film industry. The film was so successful that Dada Saheb had to make more prints to show the film in rural areas as well. The film was a grand success and soon established Phalke as a producer and paved the way for the Indian film industry.
Directed by Dadasaheb Phalke
Produced by Dadasaheb Phalke for Phalke Films
Written by Dadasaheb Phalke
Story by Ranchhodbai Udayram
Starring D. D. Dabke, P. G. Sane
Cinematography Trymbak B. Telang
Release date(s) 3 May 1913
Running time 40 minutes
Country India
Language Silent film
