Context

The 152nd birth anniversary of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke was celebrated on 30 April. 

• He is popularly known as “Father of Indian Cinema”.

About Dadasaheb Phalke

• Dadasaheb Phalke Born on April 30, 1870, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke came from a small town in Bombay Presidency. 
• Dadasaheb Phalke was an Indian director, producer, screenwriter, editor and distributor. 
• He is regarded as the Father of Indian cinema for giving the country its first full-length feature film. 
• The indigenous silent film was titled, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
• His last film, Gangavataran (1937) was the only film made by Dadasaheb with sound and dialogues. 
• After his death in 1944, the Government of India initiated an award in his name titled The Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969. 
• It is the highest award for film personalities in the country to recognize valuable contributions in Indian cinema’s development. 
• In 1971, India post released a stamp bearing Dadasaheb’s character in his reverence.

Contribution to Indian Cinema

• He is regarded as the Father of Indian cinema for giving the country its first full-length feature film. 
• Raja Harischandra was the first Indian movie debuted by him which was released in 1913 and that movie is now known as India's first full length feature film. 

• He made 95 feature length films and 27 short films in his career. 
• Some of his great works include Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri(1914), Lanka Dahan(1917), Shakuntala(1920) etc. 
• The Indian government instituted the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969, an award presented annually by the President of India for lifetime contribution to Indian Cinema.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Awards

• It was presented for the first time in 1969. 

• The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani. 
• It carries a prize money of ten lakh rupees and a Golden Lotus.
• The award is often confused with other awards presented in his name such as Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation awards, Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards. 
• However, the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards are the only awards presented by the Indian Government to the achievers in the film industry. 
• These awards are presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals that operates under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. 
• The Directorate should make sufficient rules to avoid the use of the legend’s name to prevent replications.