Oldest Bollywood Film: Tracing the Origins of Hindi Cinema

Ever wondered what the oldest Bollywood film really is? The story actually starts way back in 1913, long before anyone even called it 'Bollywood.' The film that kicked everything off is 'Raja Harishchandra.' It’s black-and-white, silent, and super basic by today’s standards, but it’s the movie that built the foundation for an entire industry.

Finding info about these early films isn’t always easy. A lot of the original reels were lost or damaged. But the story of 'Raja Harishchandra' is something every movie lover should know. You’ll learn who made it happen, how they pulled it off with barely any technology, and why—over 100 years later—people still care about it. Plus, I’ll drop a few tips on where you can watch old Bollywood classics, which is way trickier than just opening Netflix.

• The First Step: Raja Harishchandra
• Who Made It Happen?
• How the 1913 Film Was Made
• What Survives and Where to Watch
• Why It Still Matters Today

The First Step: Raja Harishchandra

If you’re digging for the roots of the oldest Bollywood film, it all comes down to ‘Raja Harishchandra.’ Premiered in 1913, this was India’s very first full-length movie, and yes, it showed us that Indian stories could light up the big screen. It was silent—no talking, no songs—just actors, background music, and a whole lot of effort.

The film was directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, often called the ‘father of Indian cinema.’ His goal? To prove India could make films just like those coming from abroad. ‘Raja Harishchandra’ tells the story of a mythical king who refuses to break his promise, no matter how tough things get. It’s based on old Indian legends, which people already loved way before movies even existed.

Here are a few details that give ‘Raja Harishchandra’ its iconic status:

• Released: 3 May 1913.
• Length: About 40 minutes (which was huge for a film back then).
• Language: Totally silent. English and Marathi intertitles helped tell the plot.
• Cast: No female actors—men actually played every role, including the queen.
• Budget: Recorded at about 20,000 rupees, which was a big risk for the time.

This humble film drew full houses and quickly made Phalke a household name. People were so fascinated, some folks watched it again and again. If ‘Raja Harishchandra’ hadn’t worked, we might not even have classic Indian films to talk about today.

For reference, here’s a quick breakdown of some key details:

There’s no denying the influence of ‘Raja Harishchandra’ on everything we now think of as Bollywood history. It’s like the ‘first stepping stone’—if you care about movies, this one’s where it all began.

Who Made It Happen?

If you’re talking about the oldest Bollywood film, the main guy behind it all is Dadasaheb Phalke. Everyone who loves Bollywood history knows his name. It’s not an exaggeration to call him the 'father of Indian cinema.' Back in 1913, he wrote, produced, directed, and edited Raja Harishchandra—pretty much doing everything except act in it.

Phalke wasn’t some Hollywood big shot or film school grad—he actually started as a photographer and a printing press worker. Inspired after watching a silent film about Jesus Christ in Mumbai, he decided India needed its own movies. And get this: there weren’t even studios or film equipment available locally. Dadasaheb Phalke imported a movie camera from London, learned how to use it by reading the instruction manual, and trained his own crew on the fly. That’s some serious hustle.

Back then, acting in movies was considered taboo—especially for women. Phalke couldn’t find any women willing to appear on camera, so he hired a man, Anna Salunke, to play the female lead. It might sound hilarious now, but it was groundbreaking for the time. In total, the cast and crew for Raja Harishchandra were fewer than 20 people.

Here’s a nifty comparison for some context:

You don’t need to memorize all these facts, but remembering Phalke’s name is a must for anyone who’s even a little curious about Indian cinema. His crazy determination is basically why we’re still talking about classic Indian films from over a century ago.

How the 1913 Film Was Made

Making Raja Harishchandra in 1913 was nothing like making movies today. There were no color cameras, no fancy effects, no sound at all. Dadasaheb Phalke, who led this project, had to work with stripped-down equipment, much of it homemade or imported from England.

Shooting happened in Phalke’s own home in Mumbai. He turned part of his house into a film set—which, honestly, probably drove his family nuts. Cameras back then were big, heavy boxes, and they had to crank the handle by hand to record each frame.

Phalke ran into a big problem right away: no women wanted to act in movies. In 1913, acting for films was seen as super odd, almost taboo. So, all the female roles in this oldest Bollywood film were played by guys in makeup and saris! About 40 actors and crew were involved, but no trained professionals. Everyone was learning by doing, including Phalke’s own son who played the child role.

• The budget for 'Raja Harishchandra' was just ₹15,000 (crazy cheap, even back then).
• Shooting took around seven months, and most of it was filmed with natural sunlight only—no lights or reflectors.
• The movie ended up being about 40 minutes long, even though only about half that survives today.

Every shot was planned on paper because film was expensive. Editing? Phalke had to cut and splice actual physical film strips using scissors and glue—no computers, just pure DIY energy.

Here's a quick breakdown of some production details for classic Indian films fans:

Everything about this shoot was trial and error. But that’s what makes Bollywood history so fascinating: it started with almost nothing and a ton of guts.

What Survives and Where to Watch

Here’s the honest truth: you can’t just stream the oldest Bollywood film, Raja Harishchandra, on Netflix or YouTube. Most of the original footage is actually gone. The film came out in 1913, and back then, preserving movies wasn’t really a thing. Out of the full-length version, only about 15 to 20 minutes of the film still exist.

If you’re determined to catch a glimpse of it, your best shot is with the pieces kept at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) in Pune. They have some fragments, usually shown during special film festivals or anniversaries. It’s not like you can buy a ticket and watch it in a regular theater. The lost footage makes what’s left even more valuable to fans and researchers.

For film buffs who want more than just a peek, a few documentaries—like "Celluloid Man"—include snippets and explain just how much of the movie survives. Some film clubs and museums occasionally organize screenings if you’re in the right place at the right time. Keep an eye on social media updates from the NFAI and Indian film history groups since they sometimes announce rare online events.

You’re probably curious how much is left out there, so here’s a snapshot:

Tiny tip: if you’re seriously interested in silent film history, networking with other fans and historians pays off. They sometimes share private links to view preserved clips when official channels don’t. Basically, when it comes to classic Indian films this old, digging a little deeper is the only way to watch history come alive.

Why It Still Matters Today

So, why should anyone care about Raja Harishchandra or the oldest Bollywood film at all? First, this movie isn’t just random old footage. It’s the reason an entire movie industry popped up in India, now producing more films each year than even Hollywood. This vibe started because one film dared to do something no one had tried in India before.

Without this silent film, there probably wouldn’t be the 3,000-plus movies that the Bollywood machine cranks out every year. When Dadasaheb Phalke released Raja Harishchandra in 1913, people in India got hooked—the idea of seeing storytelling on screen was brand new, and within a couple of years, filmmakers all over the country were making their own movies. Talk about influence.

• Cultural kickstarter: It made Indian stories—and not just imported Western ones—cool on the big screen. Hindi cinema became its own thing, not just a copy of Hollywood.
• Tech progress: Early films used painted backgrounds, homemade cameras, and local actors, but by the 1930s, India was rolling out color films and talkies. All that started with a silent black-and-white experiment in 1913.
• Bollywood style: The song-and-dance, drama, and bold storytelling that define today's Bollywood history owes a lot to the risks and creativity of filmmakers like Phalke.
• Recognition and awards: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honor in Indian cinema today, named after this pioneering filmmaker. Every filmmaker who wins it basically thanks the "father of Indian cinema."

Here’s some perspective: in 2024 alone, Indian filmmakers made 2,101 feature-length films, dwarfing Hollywood’s yearly count. That didn’t just happen out of nowhere.

The oldest Bollywood film reminds us that new industries can start from one bold idea. It’s a bit wild to think that a century-old, 40-minute silent movie still inspires today’s stars, directors, and even fans. Without it, Hindi cinema wouldn’t have the unique voice or cultural punch it has now.

Sienna Hawthorne

I am an entertainment journalist with a passion for Indian cinema. Writing allows me to dive deep into the diverse world of film, and I often explore the cultural nuances and storytelling aspects of Bollywood and regional films. My work involves interviewing filmmakers, attending screenings, and reviewing the narrative techniques that shape modern Indian cinema.