Indian Movie Timeline and Facts ...... 

1. 7th July, 1896 ------------ First Cinema show in India at the Watson Hotel in Bombay.

2. 1897 ------------ Save Dada films first Indian Documentary.

3. 1898 ------------ Prof. Stevenson brings “first Bioscope” to Calcutta at the Star Theatre.

4. 1898 ------------ The first short film in India “A dancing Scene” was directed by Hiralal Sen.

5. 1907 ------------ The First Cinema hall “Elphinstone Picture Palace” in India built by J.F. Madan in Calcutta.

6. 18th May, 1912 ------------ “Shree Pundalik” became the First Theatrical film released in India. Dadasaheb Torne was the maker of the film.

7. 1912 ------------ “Raja Harishchandra” was the first Indian feature film produced by Dadasaheb Phalke.

8. 3rd May, 1913 ------------ “Raja Harishchandra” was released on at Coronation Cinematograph, Bombay.

9. 1914 ------------ “Raja Harishcnadra” was the first Indian Film which was shown in London and became First Indian feature film shown Abroad.

10. 1918 ------------ Indian Cinematograph Act 1918.

11. 1920 ------------ Baburao Painter became the was the first man to advertise his film “Vatsala Haran” through cinema posters.

12. 14th March 1931 ------------ First Indian talking film “Alam Ara” released by Ardeshir Irani.

13. 1931 ------------ “De de khuda ke naam par” was the first song in Indian cinema recorded for “Alam Ara”.

14. 1932 ------------ “Indra Sabha” released with a record number of 71 songs, highest in any Indian Cinema till now.

15. 1933 ------------ First air-conditioned cinema Regal started in Bombay.

16. 1937 ------------ Film “Sant Tukaram” screened at Venice Film Festival and became the first Indian film to be screened at an international film festival.

17. 1937 ------------ First color film “KISAN KANYA” released.

18. 1946 ------------ Chetan Anand's “Neecha Nagar” won the Grand Prize at the first Cannes Film Festival and became the first Indian film to get international award.

19. 1950 ------------ “Hanste Aansu” was the first Hindi film released with an “A” Certificate.

20. 1951 ------------ Formation of Central Board of Film Censors.

21. 1952 ------------ Filmfare Awards were introduced.

22. 1954 ------------ National Film Awards were introduced.

23. 1982 ------------ Bhanu Athaiya becomes the first Indian to win an Oscar for the film Gandhi.

24. Kamala, was the first female heroine in an Indian film with her lead role in Dadasaheb Phalke's second film “Bhasmasur Mohini” produced in 1913.

25. Dattatraya Damodar Dabke was the first hero of an Indian film. He acted as Harishchandra in “Raja Harishchandra”.

26. The first Indian chain of cinema theaters was owned by the Calcutta entrepreneur J F Madan, who oversaw production of 10 films annually and distributed them throughout the Indian subcontinent.

27. The first lady director in India was Begum Fatima Sultana.

28. Phiroz Shah Mistry was the first Indian music director for the film “Alam Ara”.

29. Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay is the only film which has enjoyed 60 golden jubilees.

30. Satyajit Ray holds the record for the highest number of National awards with 32 wins in various categories.

31. Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Mammootty holds the record for the highest number of National awards for Best Actor - 3 awards each.

32. Shabana Azmi holds the record for the highest number of National awards for Best Actress - 5.

33. A R Rahman and Ilayaraja jointly hold the record for the highest number of National awards for Best Music Direction - 4.

34. K. J. Yesudas holds the record for the highest number of National awards for Best Male Playback Singer - 7.

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