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time such as cooking, washing and

cleaning.

One day, the shooting was to
take place in a jungle near a

village. Since they wouldn’t
be able to dress up and
put on make-up in the

jungle, Dadasaheb
decided that everybody
would dress up and go

to the shooting location
in their film costumes
and carry their property

with them. As it was the
story of a king, naturally, some actors were carrying swords.

On the way to the jungle while passing through the village,
the villagers mistook them to be dacoits and sent Do you like watching
policemen to arrest them! films? What do you
Let’s connect
like about them?
Finally, after a long journey of many ups and downs,
Dadasaheb Phalke released India’s first silent film ‘Raja
Harishchandra’ in 1913. He was the producer, director and writer of the film. His efforts

had borne fruit.

At first, the film did not do well. But Phalke’s never-say-die spirit came to the rescue. He
got two European dancers to perform before the film began, and offered prizes to ticket

buyers. Audiences flocked to the theatre to watch the dance, and walked out mesmerised
by the film.

Word spread, and day by day the size of the audience mistook: misunderstood

increased. The film became a hit. Not only did Phalke borne fruit: turned out as planned or
desired
recover all costs and pay back his financiers, he also never-say-die spirit: never accept defeat
or get discouraged, no matter what
made a very good profit. word spread: message was
communicated to a lot of people
Thanks to his perseverance and passion, by 1920 perseverance: continuing to try to
there was a flourishing film industry in Bombay, now achieve an aim despite difficulties

known as Mumbai.

—Rupali Bhave (abridged), illustrated by Sunayana Nair Kanjilal

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