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it at intervals over a period to

demonstrate how the pea sprouted
and grew tendrils. This short
film had the desired impact on

financiers and he got some loans.

He began to plan his first film in
all earnest, but he couldn’t think of

a suitable topic. The whole family
would have animated discussions
about which story to choose.

Saraswati would suggest a story
and he would reject it for some
reason. He would suggest one and

the children would reject the idea.
And so it went on till, one day, he

found what he was looking for. He
decided to make a film based on With whom do
King Harishchandra. you like to watch

Let’s connect
‘But where will you get the actors? And who will handle the films? Which is
camera?’ asked Saraswati, very worried. your favourite film?

‘You! You will handle the camera. I’ll teach you. And we’ll advertise in the newspapers for

actors. It’s decided then,’ Dadasaheb declared.

But it was easier said than done! Dadasaheb couldn’t find many actors willing to act in
a film. In those days acting was considered a lowly profession. People were ashamed to

become actors.

The real problem began when he started looking for
women to play different female roles in the film. It tendril: a thin part of a climbing plant that

was taboo for women to act. Not a single woman holds on to walls or other plants for support
desired impact: having a powerful effect on
agreed to act in his film. He found a solution by someone as was wished for
casting men in female roles. in all earnest: in a completely careful and
sensible way
animated: full of excitement
To train his male actors to play female roles easier said than done: something that
effectively, Dadasaheb made them dress up as seems like a good idea but difficult to do
lowly: low in status or importance
women even when they were not shooting. They taboo: (say tuh-boo) a subject, word, or
had to do all the things that only women did at that action that is avoided for religious or social
reasons

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