'Film industry should seriously think about making biopic on Dada Saheb Phalke': Grandson

Filmmaker Da Saheb Phalke, regarded as far of Indian cinema, should be conferred title of Bharat Ratna for his contribution to film industry, his grandson Chandrashekhar Pusalkar said. Phalke's 1913 silent film Raja Harishchandra is considered first full-length Indian feature film.

In his career of nearly two deces, Phalke helmed 95 feature-length films such as Mohini Bhasmasur, Satyavan Savitri and Kaliya Mardan. During a session at 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Pusalkar said it would be fitting if cinema legend received country's highest civilian award.

He also hoped that film industry considers making a biopic on his illustrious career. " occasion is right as it is 150th birth anniversary of my grandfar and a befitting recognition would come by conferring upon him title of Bharat Ratna posthumously. Also, film industry should seriously think about making a biopic on him."

"Celebrities will come and go but as long as cinema is re, Da Saheb Phalke will be remembered," Pusalkar said. “Da Saheb Phalke was visionary who propagated ‘Make in India’ and brought `Aatma Nirbhartha’ to Indian cinema sector. In his films, he always used local artists and propagated inclusion of indigeus locations and technical support which were indigeusly available. As a result of Da Saheb’s persistence, vision and patriotism, Indian cinema industry is standing high today," he furr ded.

latest edition of movie gala is paying hom to Phalke with screenings of his films at festival.

Pusalkar said Dasaheb Phalke Award, awarded for lifetime contribution to cinema by Government of India, has kept filmmaker's legacy alive. "If government h t taken such an initiative, my grandfar's work or life would have been ended in two ps, but w people kw and respect him for his immense contribution to Indian cinema," he ded.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was recipient of 2018 Dasaheb Phalke Award. 

Dasaheb Phalke Awards 2020 South: See which actors won this prestigious award

Da Saheb great patriot

Recollecting his memories of his grandfar, Shri Pusalkar ded, “My grandfar was t only a great visionary but a great patriot too.” He recalled an incident as to how, after screening some of his films in London, Da Saheb got an offer to work re. “He politely declined offer stating that his country, where cinema was just at a nascent st, needed him more.”

As per Shri Pusalkar, due to his grandfar’s dedication towards cinema, he was never bored about making money. “Our grandfar has left behind a monumental legacy. He me a huge investment for us. We are receiving all standing ovations, clapping on his behalf and we are being respected and houred so much only because of his contributions”, said an emotional Shri Pusalkar.

Detailing how Da Saheb can be an inspiration for new film makers, Shri Pusalkar said, “My grandfar 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 re is bar for learning anything as he continuously engd himself in learning new things”. He proudly ded that this is what young film makers should imbibe from him - “re is for learning things.”

Dasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards to be held in February next year

(With PTI inputs)