The first ever film made in India by N.G.

Chitre and Torney was PUNDALIK, which was

a life story of a holy man in 1912. The film that is called as the foundation film
of Indian Cinema was Dhandiraj Phalke�s RAJA HARISHCHANDRA in 1913.The film did not
have anybody talking but had background score running helping to understand the
narration. In the whole of Silent Era, there were thousands of Movies made but not
all could make up to and only a few (10) could stand up. These films Include
SATYAVADI HARISHCHANDRA in 1917 and KEECHAKAVANDHAM in 1919. The Sound Era (since
1931) The Transition from Silent Era to Sound Era can be called as Musical
Transition as the sound Era came into light with progression of Songs and Dances in
the movies. The first ever Talk movie ALAM ARA was made in India in 1931 by Ardesh
Irani. There were so many genres evolved in the Sound era where film were made on
Love themes like DEVDAAS(1935)which is still considered as a cult movie,Patrotism
like Shaheed(1948),Sikandra(1941) based majorly on Free India, Mythological films
like Ram Leela, Raas Leela, Santoshi Maa based on God�s life. There were prevailing
some of the social issues films like Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Andaz (1949). The
historical period drama seen a hit in the 50s and 60s with blockbusters movies like
MOTHER INDIA & MUGHAL-E-AZAM. Till 1960s, there were no institutes teaching about
film industry until The National School of Drama and Film & television institute
were established rolling out talented producers and actors. It was termed as NEW
WAVE CINEMA. Studio System (1930s-1950s) The move of establishing studios had a
great impact on the development on Indian Cinema. There were major studios namely
Bombay Talkies, Gemini, Imperial Studios, Prabhat Film Co and many more. Every
Studio company made different kind of films like Prabhat Film Company made films on
breaking the taboo regarding Indian women by movies like AMAR JYOTI (1936), AADMI
(1937), social issues like DO AANKHEN BAARAN HATH (1957).Stunt based action films
also saw a space in Indian Cinema by TOOFAN MAIL (1932). Bombay Talkies also
catered to social themes initially like ACHUT KANYA (1936), SUJATA (1959) on
Untouchability. The studio system garnered huge popularity but then the owners were
finding it hard to pay the actors and employees their fees and hence came an end to
the Studio era bringing the Contractual period came into light.