112 Years Ago: Bollywood’s First Double Role Film and the Actor Who Played Both Ram and Sita

Bollywood, as we know it today, owes much of its success to visionary figures like Dadasaheb Phalke, who played a pivotal role in shaping Indian cinema. As the founder of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke is credited with making India’s first film, “Raja Harishchandra”, which was released in 1913. This groundbreaking film is a significant milestone in the history of Indian cinema and remains an iconic part of Bollywood’s legacy.

However, there’s another noteworthy aspect that Raja Harishchandra is remembered for: it marked the beginning of the double role concept in Indian cinema. Today, many Bollywood stars have played multiple roles in a single film, but it was 112 years ago, in 1913, when Anna Salunke first created history by playing the characters of both Ram and Sita in a film.

The Birth of Double Role in Bollywood

In Bollywood, it is quite common to see actors and actresses portraying multiple roles in a single film. Some stars have even taken on more than two roles in their films, which adds to their appeal and versatility. But have you ever wondered who first introduced the concept of the double role in Indian cinema? It was Anna Salunke, who played both Ram and Sita in the very first double role film of Bollywood, marking a turning point in cinematic history.

“Raja Harishchandra”: The First Indian Film

Released in 1913, “Raja Harishchandra” was India’s first feature film, directed by none other than Dadasaheb Phalke. The film told the story of the legendary king Raja Harishchandra, a tale of truth, sacrifice, and moral integrity. This film laid the foundation for Indian cinema and set a precedent for many more films that followed.

Interestingly, Anna Salunke, who was not just a talented actor but also an essential part of Indian cinema’s early history, played an integral role in this pioneering film. Anna’s portrayal of characters on screen in “Raja Harishchandra” was a monumental achievement that would go down in cinematic history.

The First Actor to Play a Double Role in Bollywood

Anna Salunke is credited with being the first actor to play a double role in Bollywood. In “Raja Harishchandra”, not only did he portray the central male character, but he also played the female role, which was a groundbreaking move at that time. While playing Ram, the epic hero, he also simultaneously took on the role of Sita, a major character in the Hindu mythology.

This was an innovative step in Indian cinema, as the concept of playing two distinct roles in the same film was virtually unheard of in the early 1900s. This idea would later be expanded upon by many other actors in the following decades.

Why Anna Salunke Played Both Ram and Sita

During the production of “Raja Harishchandra”, Dadasaheb Phalke faced a unique challenge. While he had cast a male actor to play the central character of the film, he realized that a female actress was also required to complete the cast. However, finding an actress who could take on this crucial role at that time proved to be difficult.

In a turn of events, Dadasaheb Phalke decided that Anna Salunke would not only play the male lead but would also portray the female characters. This was a pivotal decision in the history of Indian cinema, as Anna was not only fulfilling a dual role but also setting a precedent for how Bollywood films could feature actors playing both genders on screen.

Anna Salunke: From Waiter to Bollywood Pioneer

Anna Salunke’s entry into the world of cinema was nothing short of serendipitous. His first meeting with Dadasaheb Phalke happened at a restaurant, where Anna was working as a waiter. At the time, Phalke was searching for someone to play a female role in his film, and after noticing Anna’s acting potential, he offered him the opportunity to appear in his groundbreaking movie.

Interestingly, at the restaurant, Anna was earning a modest sum of 10 rupees a month. However, Dadasaheb Phalke persuaded him to join the film, offering him 15 rupees a month – an amount that convinced Anna to take on this unprecedented cinematic venture.

This chance meeting and the subsequent collaboration between Phalke and Salunke would forever change the course of Indian cinema and pave the way for the development of Bollywood as we know it today.

The Challenges of Filmmaking in 1913

It’s essential to understand the challenges Dadasaheb Phalke faced in 1913 while creating “Raja Harishchandra.” In those days, there were no high-tech equipment, no special effects, and certainly no experienced actresses available for roles. However, Phalke’s vision and creativity helped him overcome these challenges.

The film’s runtime was a mere 40 minutes, and it was not just a historical achievement but also a testament to Phalke’s determination to bring Indian stories to the big screen, despite the limitations of the time. By casting Anna Salunke as both Ram and Sita, Phalke not only solved his casting dilemma but also introduced an idea that would become a regular feature in future films.

A Milestone in Indian Cinema

Today, “Raja Harishchandra” and the roles played by Anna Salunke are seen as significant milestones in the history of Indian cinema. The film, though short by modern standards, was a pioneering effort in the early days of Indian film history, and Anna Salunke’s dual portrayal of both Ram and Sita will always be remembered as a trailblazing act.

This double role concept, first showcased by Anna Salunke, would go on to be adopted by many Bollywood actors in the years that followed, becoming a staple in the industry. Famous Bollywood stars, such as Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Amitabh Bachchan, have all experimented with playing multiple roles in films, but it was Salunke’s role in “Raja Harishchandra” that marked the origin of this technique.

The legacy of Anna Salunke in Indian cinema is often overshadowed by other, more well-known actors of Bollywood’s golden age. However, his role in Raja Harishchandra should be remembered as a landmark moment in Bollywood’s history. He was the first actor to pioneer the double role concept, an innovation that has since become a staple of many popular Bollywood films.

Moreover, Dadasaheb Phalke’s vision of creating an Indian film industry that could reflect Indian culture, values, and stories was instrumental in laying the foundation for Bollywood as we know it today. Phalke’s dedication to cinematic storytelling, combined with Anna Salunke’s versatility in playing two significant roles, set the stage for generations of actors to come.

As Bollywood continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the contributions of these early pioneers. Without their innovation and determination, Indian cinema might not have achieved the heights it enjoys today.