1913-30

 

Raja Harishchandra was released on May 3, 1913. One year prior to this on 18th May, 1912, Dadasaheb Torne had released Pundalik. Pundalik was photographed from a play by Johnson, a British cinematographer.The silent films were made till 1930. Some hits from this period are Lanka Dahan (1917) and Kalia Mardan (1919).

   

1931-50

Alam Ara of Ardeshir Irani — the first talkies was released in 1931. Some hits of this period are Achut Kanya (1935), Devdas of Sehgal (1935), Rattan (1944).

1951-60

A decade dominated by the trio of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Some hits from this period are Mother India (1957), Naya Daur (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960).

1961-70

Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar were prominent heroes. Rajesh Khanna emerged as a super star. Some hit movies are Sangam (1964), Ganga Jamna (1961), Mere Mehboob (1963).

1971-80

Parallel cinema movement started. Amitabh Bachchan emerged as a star. Some hits are Sholay (1975), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).

1981-90

Movies face piracy. Some hits are Kranti (1981), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).

1991-2000

Family dramas. Some hits are Hum Aapke Hai Kaun (1994), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995).

2001-14

Corporatisation appears in Hindi film industry. Films are released in mutiplexes. Some hits are Gadar (2001), Three Idiots (2009), Dabang (2010), Robot (2010), PK (2014).

N.B.

Hiralal Sen was a contemporary of Phalke who made short films between 1898 and 1913. Even before the release of Pundalik, Hiralal Sen and his brother Motilal Sen has produced five silent films between 1901 and 1905 in Kolkata. Alibaba from Parasi stage was picturised by them as Scenes from Alibaba (1901) and then as Alibaba and Forty Thieves (1903).

On 7th July, 1896, a rainy Tuesday, an audience of Europeans paid a rupee each to watch a show which is branded as the Marvel of the Century  — the motion pictures or living photographic pictures. This debut was made in India at Watson Hotel, the swankiest hotel of Bombay, as Mumbai was called then. It is situated in the heart of south Mumbai and is now called Esplanade Mansion and is in ruin.

Ardeshir Irani produced 250 films, out of which 150 were silent films. He produced first talkie Alam Ara (1931), first colour film Kisan Kanya (1937), first Parsi film Duravatre Lore (1933), first English film Noorjahan (1932). He also recorded the first song for a film.

Between 1913 and 1937, Dadasaheb Phalke produced 50 plus films in a period of 24 years.