The first full-length Hindi feature film in what is now called Bollywood is:
Raja Harishchandra (1913)
It was directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, who is widely regarded as the “father of Indian cinema.”
Key facts about Raja Harishchandra:
- Release year: 1913
- Format: Silent film (no recorded dialogue)
- Language: No spoken language, but based on Indian mythological story (later associated with Hindi cinema history)
- Director: Dadasaheb Phalke
- Theme: Story of King Harishchandra, known for truthfulness in Hindu mythology
- Length: About 40–50 minutes (varies by restored versions)
Why it is considered the first Bollywood film
Even though the term “Bollywood” did not exist at the time, Raja Harishchandra is recognized because:
- It was the first Indian-made full-length narrative feature film
- It marked the beginning of commercial cinema production in India
- It established storytelling techniques later adopted by Hindi cinema
Important context
- The film was silent; sound films in India started much later with Alam Ara
- “Bollywood” as a term became common only in the later 20th century, referring specifically to Hindi-language commercial cinema based in Mumbai
Conclusion
The first Hindi cinema foundation is generally traced to Raja Harishchandra (1913) by Dadasaheb Phalke, which marks the beginning of Indian feature filmmaking and the historical origin of Bollywood.