Photo: Palaviprabhu at English Wikipedia / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on April 30, 1870 in Nashik, Nashik district, India, Dadasaheb Phalke was a film director, film producer and screenwriter. Death is recorded on February 16, 1944, at the age of 73. Dadasaheb Phalke studied at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Notable works include How Films Are Made, Raja Harishchandra and Lanka Dahan.
My Take
Phalke is one of those rare figures who didn't just make films, he willed an entire national cinema into existence. Pulling off Raja Harishchandra in 1913, with no industry, no precedent, and a sheer faith that Indian myth belonged on a screen, strikes me as almost reckless ambition in the best sense. What I admire most is the imagination it took to see moving images as a vehicle for the gods his audience already worshipped. Billions of rupees and a century of Bollywood later, it all traces back to one stubborn dreamer from Nashik. The award bearing his name is no accident.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Dadasaheb Phalke
- Name (Japanese)
- ダーダーサーハバ・パールケー
- Reading
- だーだーさーはば・ぱーるけー
- Born
- April 30, 1870 – February 16, 1944
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Horse
- Origin
- Nashik, Nashik district, India
- Occupation
- film director / film producer / screenwriter / film editor
2. Background
- University
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | How Films Are Made | — | |
| Notable work | Raja Harishchandra | — | |
| Notable work | Lanka Dahan | — | |
| Notable work | Satyavan Savitri | — | |
| Notable work | Mohini Bhasmasur | — | |
| Notable work | Shri Krishna Janma | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Dadasaheb Phalke born?
Born April 30, 1870.
When did Dadasaheb Phalke die?
Died February 16, 1944, aged 73.
Where was Dadasaheb Phalke from?
Dadasaheb Phalke was from Nashik, Nashik district, India.
What did Dadasaheb Phalke do?
Dadasaheb Phalke worked as film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor.
What was Dadasaheb Phalke known for?
Notable works include How Films Are Made, Raja Harishchandra, Lanka Dahan.
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