Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar (15 March 1868 – 20 February 1958), also known as Save dada, was the first Indian to make a film (motion picture) in India.[1][2]
Contents |
H. S. Bhatavdekar was a resident of Mumbai (Bombay). A portrait photographer by occupation, Bhatavdekar was one of the first witnesses to the Lumiere Brothers film show in 1896 in Mumbai.[3][4] He soon acquired a movie camera from London and a projector and went on to make some films on day-to-day life of the city as also some important events.
"The Wrestlers" was shot during a real wrestling match in Mumbai and thereby became not only the first film to be shot by an Indian, but also the first "Reality (Documentary) Film" of India.
H. S. Bhatavdekar's later films also were all reality films, with (See Filmography below for full titles-) "Local Scenes...", "Sir Wrangler..." and "Delhi Darbar..." being of historical significance; since important personalities like R. P. Paranjpe[5] can be seen landing in India from a ship; and the actual proceedings of the Delhi Durbar (Delhi Royal Court). Bhatavdekar also filmed Lord Curzon at the coronation of King Edward VII in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1903.[1] Therefore, he can be called as the First Documentary Filmmaker of India,[1][2] it is also considered India's first Newsreel.[6]
(as a director)
H. S. Bhatavdekar is not known to have made any long duration "feature films".