UPSC CSE Pre. 1999

History of Indian Cinema

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The first feature film (talkie) to be produced in India was:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The transition from silent films to 'talkies' marked a revolutionary era in Indian storytelling, introducing music and dialogue as primary cinematic elements.

Explanation Alam Ara, released in 1931 and directed by Ardeshir Irani, was the first Indian film to feature sound. It was a fantasy romance between a princess and a prince.

Logical Breakup
Option B is Correct: Alam Ara introduced playback singing and had seven songs, becoming a massive commercial success.
Option D: Raja Harishchandra (1913) was the first indigenous silent feature film by Dadasaheb Phalke.
Option C: Pundalik (1912) was an earlier silent film but processed in London, leading some to exclude it from the 'first Indian film' title.

Active Recall

Question

Who is known as the father of Indian cinema and why?

Answer

Dadasaheb Phalke, because he produced the first full-length Indian feature film, Raja Harishchandra.

Core Insight

The introduction of sound through Alam Ara laid the foundation for the musical-heavy structure that defines modern Bollywood.