Central Idea

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister announced that veteran actor Waheeda Rehman would be given the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021, honouring her stellar contribution to Indian cinema.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Purpose	Highest honor in Indian cinema for outstanding contributions to its growth and development.
Inception	Instituted by the Indian government in 1969.
Named After	Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, “Father of Indian Cinema.”
Components	‘Swarna Kamal’ (Golden Lotus), INR 10 lakh cash prize, certificate, silk scroll, and shawl.
Presentation	By the President of India in the presence of key film industry representatives and officials.
First Recipient	Devika Rani Roerich (1969).

Early Life: Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, born in 1870 in Trimbak, Maharashtra, had a diverse career. He initially studied engineering and sculpture and later developed a fascination for motion pictures after watching the 1906 silent film ‘The Life of Christ.’
Varied Pursuits: Before entering the world of cinema, Phalke worked as a photographer, owned a printing press, and even collaborated with the renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma.
Filmmaking Pioneer: In 1913, Phalke scripted, produced, and directed India’s inaugural feature film, the silent masterpiece ‘Raja Harishchandra.’ This groundbreaking film’s commercial success marked the beginning of Phalke’s prolific career in which he created 95 more films and 26 short films over the next 19 years.
Father of Indian Cinema: Dhundiraj Govind Phalke is hailed as the “Father of Indian Cinema” for his pioneering contributions to the country’s film industry.