Firsts

Movies/Personalities

Year

First 3-D film

My Dear Kuttichathan, a Malayalam film, produced in 1984

1984

First 70 mm film

Hindi film Around the World

1967

First Actor to enact most roles (10)

Kamal Haasan in Dasavathaaram

2008

First Actress of Indian cinema

Durgabai Kamat in Mohini Bhasmasur.

1913

First Actress to enact most roles (12)

Priyanka Chopra in What's Your Raashee?

2009

First Cinemascope film

Kaagaz Ke Phool, directed by Guru dutt

1959

First Colorized film

Mughal-e-Azam in 2004 (the original black-and-white version was released in 1960)

2004

First Colour film

Kisan Kanya, directed by Moti B. Gidvani

1937

First Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient

Devika Rani

1969

First Film screened at the United Nations

Lage Raho Munna Bhai, on 10 November, directed by Rajkumar Hirani

2006

First Film to attract International critical attention

Pather Panchali

1955

First Film to be banned

Neel Akasher Neechey, directed by Mrinal Sen

1959

First Film to be exhibited in India

On 7 July, with the Lumiere Brothers' Cinematography, unveiling six silent short films at the Watson's Hotel in Bombay, viz., Entry of Cinematographer, The Sea Bath, Arrival of a Train, A Demolition, Ladies & Soldiers on Wheels and Leaving the Factory.

1896

First Government award for films

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

1937

First Guinness Book of World Records

In the category, Fewest actors in a narrative film: Yaadein directed and acted by Sunil Dutt

1964

First Indian filmmaker to get Bharat Ratna

Satyajit Ray

1992

First Music director to win an Oscar and first double Oscar winner

A. R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire

2009

First Music record

On 2 November, by Fred Gaisberg, assistant to Emile Berliner, the father of Gramophone record. Music was recorded by Gauhar Jaan singing a khayal in Raag Jogiya.

1902

First National Film Award for cinema

Shyamchi Aai

1954

First Order of Arts and Letters: Actor

Sivaji Ganesan

1995

First Order of Arts and Letters: Actress

Sharmila Tagore

2004

First Order of Arts and Letters: Director

Director: Mrinal Sen

1985

First Oscar for Lifetime Achievement

Satyajit Ray

1992

First Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film

Mother India

1957

First Oscar winner

Bhanu Athaiya for Best Costume Design for the film Gandhi

1982

First Palme d'Or at 1946 Cannes Film Festival

Neecha Nagar, directed by Chetan Anand

1946

First Silent film to be made in India

Raja Harishchandra, by Dadasaheb Phalke and released on 3 May.

1913

First Sound film

Alam Ara directed by Ardeshir Irani

1931

First Sponsored TV serial

Hum Log, started on 7 July, was also the first soap opera of India, ran for 156 episodes

1984