100 years of Indian cinema: History revisited

Hundred years ago it was May 3 1913 when India embarked on a new journey with Raja Harishchandra, the first silent movie by legendary Dadasaheb Phalke. From that day onwards a new phrase emerged in our dictionary ‘Indian Cinema’ with “light, camera, action” which never required to look back and has kept evolving through these phenomenal hundred years.

Heroes have changed their outlook from a gentleman-look with a moustache to the macho six-pack abs look which is trending in the present era. The method of acting full of romance and action has also undergone a major makeover with Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and the latest ones Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan. The yesteryear actresses like Mala Sinha, Meena Kumari and Madhubala always donned a sati-savitri look while appearing onscreen but gradually the strong women characters evolved with the likes of Rekha, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan. Today the most sexy-looking heroine is admired the most by the industry-insiders as well as the movie-goers.

Item girls have become a necessity in the present day commercial films and the sensuousness in such numbers have also undergone a major change from the era of Zeenat Aman to Malaika Arora Khan. On-screen romance is not any more conservative like the yesteryear movies; rather kissing and love-making scenes have become regulars in the contemporary cinema. Music was also more soulful and melodious in the era of R. D. Burman while experimentation with fusion and peppy numbers has been on a rise today. Celebrations of 100 years of Indian cinema have gone international with Cannes Film Festival and now a special event will also be organized in Chicago to commemorate the 100 years of excellence. Hope the legacy of Indian Cinema continues in the same way forever.