The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India has recently made an exciting announcement. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2020 will be bestowed upon the legendary Bollywood actress, Ms. Asha Parekh. The esteemed award is going to be presented at the 68th National Film Award ceremony in New Delhi, continuing a tradition that acknowledges the remarkable contributions to Indian cinema. Some of the previous recipients include big names of the industry like Rajnikant, who received it in 2019, and Amitabh Bachchan in 2018.
Understanding the Prestige of Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award holds a distinguished place in the National Film Awards, an eminent collection of accolades in the movie industry. This award is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the path-breaking filmmaker responsible for blessing India with its first film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’, in 1913. It is regarded as the highest honour in the world of Indian cinema, given to those whose work has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the industry.
A Snapshot of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Established by the government in 1969, the award comprises a ‘Swarna Kamal’, a cash prize of INR 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk roll, and a shawl. Its presentation is a grand affair, with the President of India conferring the award in the presence of the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, the Chairperson of the juries, representatives from the Film Federation of India, Confederation of All India Cine Employees, and other senior officials. The first-ever recipient of this prestigious award was Devika Rani Roerich in 1969.
Getting to Know Dhundiraj Govind ‘Dadasaheb’ Phalke
Born in 1870 at Trimbak, Maharashtra, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, played an instrumental role in shaping the Indian film industry. A man with many interests, Phalke studied engineering and sculpture and fell in love with motion pictures after watching the 1906 silent film, The Life of Christ.
Before he stepped into the world of cinema, Phalke dabbled in various professions. He worked as a photographer, owned a printing press, and even collaborated with the famous painter, Raja Ravi Varma.
The year 1913 served as a turning point in Phalke’s career when he wrote, produced, and directed India’s first feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’. It was a silent movie that turned out to be a commercial success. Riding on this triumph, Phalke went on to produce 95 more films and 26 short films over the next 19 years, earning him the title of the “Father of Indian Cinema”. His contribution to Indian cinema remains unparalleled, and his legacy continues through the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
