West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banrejee on Friday remembered film-pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke on his 74th death anniversary.
“Solemnly remembering film pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke on his death anniversary”, said Banerjee in a tweet.
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Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was born on 30 April 1870. He was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter and was also known as the Father of Indian cinema.
His debut film was Raja Harishchandra made in 1913 and is considered as India’s first full-length feature film. He went on to make 95 movies and 26 short films in his career spanning 19 years, till 1937. His most notable works are: Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918) and Kaliya Mardan (1919).
In 1969, the government of India instituted, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in his honour.
The award is one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema and is the highest official recognition for film personalities in the country.
A postage stamp bearing his likeness was also released by India Post to honour him in 1971.
In 2001, an honorary award from the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Mumbai was introduced for lifetime achievement in Indian cinema.
He died on 16 February 1944.