Do you know who the first female actresses to enter Bollywood were? If not, keep scrolling to read about them. Scroll down to read about them.
Indian cinema is extremely vast. From Bollywood to Tollywood to Bhojpuri cinema, there are various sub-categories featuring thousands of actors. When we talk about the mainstream film industry, it is often Bollywood that comes to our mind. Throughout the decades, Bollywood has seen numerous actors and actresses trying their luck. The first male actor to enter Bollywood was Prithviraj Kapoor, the iconic Kapoor family man who changed the dynamics of the industry. However, do you know who the first female actresses to enter Bollywood were? If not, keep scrolling to read about them.
Who was India’s First Female Actress?
The first full-length film in Bollywood was made by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, whom we lovingly remember as Dadasaheb Phalke. He was also the first to introduce not only female characters but also female actors to the Indian film industry. Dadasaheb Phalke, who made India’s first full-length film in 1913, debuted with the mythological feature film Raja Harishchandra as a director, producer, and screenwriter.
It was during the making of this film that he realized the film required female characters. However, he could not find any female to feature in the film. Reports claim that the director even approached prostitutes and dancing girls for the role, but they all refused to work in the film.
While searching for an actress to portray the role of ‘Queen Taramati’ in his film, Dadasaheb Phalke came across Anna Salunke, who had a delicate figure and slender hands. The director persuaded her to take on the female role by offering a monthly salary of Rs. 15, even though Salunke was already earning Rs. 10 per month at the time.
Dadasaheb Phalke’s efforts to introduce a female actress into the industry faced initial failure. As a result, the legendary filmmaker had to convince Anna Salunke to play the role of a female character. Back then, women working in the film industry were considered taboo. However, things changed when Anna’s portrayal ignited a small spark of hope.
Dadasaheb tried again and introduced the very first female actress in 1913. The director was making his second film, Mohini Bhasmasur. In the film, Phalke decided to cast Durgabai Kamat, which was a revolutionary move.
Durgabai played the lead role of ‘Parvati’ in the film, while her 13-year-old daughter, Kamlabai Gokhle, portrayed ‘Mohini,’ making her the first female child actress in Indian cinema.
And that is how Bollywood got its first female actress.
