Page 78 - Lavender-B-6

they did in real life. I was so fascinated that I watched the next show too.’

Saraswati smiled. She knew her husband’s

child-like enthusiasm very well.

‘You know, I am going to learn how to make
these moving pictures. I will make films in

India and tell Indian stories through films,’
he declared.

Although Dadasaheb was very passionate

about everything that he did, he was not
very successful in his businesses. So some

people called him crazy.

But his wife, Saraswati, recognised his
talent and passion. She was proud of him.

Even in periods of financial hardship, she
stood by him like a rock.

So, with his wife supporting him,

Dadasaheb Phalke used up all his savings
and sold some household items and went to England in
1912. He learnt the craft of film-making from Britain’s Why do you think Just a Minute!

pioneer filmmaker Cecil Hepworth. people were so apprehensive
about the films in the
When he returned to India, he was raring to go. He yesteryear?
wanted to make a film. With great excitement, he shared

his plans with his family and friends. Some of his friends thought he had lost his mind. In
fact, they even tried to get him admitted to an asylum! Once again, his wife was his only

supporter.
fascinated: interested
He pledged his life insurance policies and enthusiasm: a feeling of energetic interest
Saraswati sold her jewellery to raise money passionate: having very strong feelings or emotions

for the film. With that money he ordered a passion: a very powerful feeling
stood like a rock: supportive and dependable
camera and other equipment from Germany, pioneer: a person who is one of the first people to
but it wasn’t sufficient to make a film. do something
raring to go: very eager to start doing something
asylum: a hospital for people with mental illnesses
So, to help financiers understand the impact pledged: gave as security against a loan
of films, he made a short film called ‘Growth sufficient: enough for a specific purpose
of a Pea Plant’. He planted a pea and shot financiers: people with large amounts of money
who are willing to lend some amount

78