IFFI-51
Panaji: In his films, Dada Saheb Phalke always used local artists and propagated the inclusion of indigenous locations and technical support which were indigenously available. “As a result of Dada Saheb’s persistence, vision and patriotism, Indian cinema industry is standing high today,” Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, grandson of the father of Indian Cinema Dada Saheb Phalke aka Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, said in a free-wheeling interaction with Shamila K.Y. of the Press Information Bureau. Chandrashekhar is the son of Dada Saheb’s daughter Malati.
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Speaking on the side-lines of 51st edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa, which pays homage to Dada Saheb on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, Pusalkar reminisced the sacrifices made by his grandfather. He said that respect is going up among the new generation when they come to know how a man, who did not have any facilities which they are enjoying now, made films and paved a path for generations to come. “He had no money, no insurance policy, he sold my grandmother’s ornaments and bought everything for his films. My grandmother and the entire family supported him immensely,” he said. He added that in that sense entire Phalke family are the pioneers of Indian Cinema.
Pusalkar also evoked the memories shared by his mother: “My grandmother supported grandfather in every step he took in that era and in fact Dada made her a part of all his films. He taught her how to develop and roll a film and how to shoot as well. In those times, there were no reflectors and they used to shoot under scorching sun and in all these, my grandmother stood as a rock solid support for my grandfather.”
Sharing his wish to have more recognition for his grandmother as well who stood shoulder to shoulder to his grandfather, Pusalkar said, “My grandmother, Saraswatibai Phalke can be termed as a woman achiever who made immense contributions for Indian Cinema in her own way.”
On his grandfather, he said: “My grandfather was not only a great visionary but a great patriot too.” He recalled an incident as to how, after screening some of his films in London, Dada Saheb got an offer to work there. “He politely declined the offer stating that his country, where cinema was just at a nascent stage, needed him more.”
It goes beyond saying that Dada Saheb left behind a monumental legacy. “He made a huge investment for us. We are receiving all the standing ovations, clapping on his behalf and we are being respected and honoured so much only because of his contributions”, said an emotional Pusalkar. Detailing how Dada Saheb could be an inspiration for new age film makers, he said: “My grandfather was so loving and caring towards his family, yet he was strictly disciplined at work and at home. Regarding his films, he meticulously planned everything. He always believed that there is no age bar for learning anything as he continuously engaged himself in learning new things”. He proudly added that this was what the young film makers should imbibe from him – “there is no age for learning things.”
Adding some of the golden moments from Dada Saheb’s era, he said Dada Saheb was not only a pioneer in film making, but in advertising and promotion too, in which he always practised innovative ways. “He had special concern for student viewers and he used to give special passes to encourage more women to watch his film.” Recalling one such incident of promotion, Pusalkar said, “Once he entered a pact with a theatre owner in Pune who had a flour mill adjacent to the theatre. Those who bought one ticket was given one kilogram flour for free and those who bought one kilogram flour were also given a ticket for free.”
While sharing his wish to have more recognition for his grandfather, Shri Pusalkar said, “The occasion is right as it’s the 150th birth anniversary of my grandfather and a befitting recognition would come by conferring upon him the title of Bharat Ratna posthumously, and also the film industry should seriously think about making a biopic on him,” he added.
“Celebrities will come and go, but as long as cinema is there, Dada Saheb Phalke will be remembered,” Shri Pusalkar added as a parting note.
It may be mentioned that in his honour, Dada Saheb Phalke Award was instituted by the Government of India in 1969. Thanking the government for the same, Shri Pusalkar said, “If the government had not taken such an initiative, my grandfather’s work or life would have been ended in two pages, but now, people know him and respect him for his immense contributions for Indian Cinema.”
