Nostalgia: Biggest Fake In First Indian Film

When we talk of Sathya Harischandra, the first thing that comes to one’s mind is about his steadfast principle of speaking the truth at all times. The great Dadasaheb Phalke made the film ‘Sathya Harischandra’ in the year 1913. The film was a silent movie, as sound recording was not yet introduced.
 
The film about truth actually began with a big and blatant lie! The period was still conservative and Dadasaheb was scouting for a suitable lady to play the role of Sathya Harischandra’s wife. No woman came forward to act in the film. Some women from the world’s oldest profession volunteered but Dadasaheb was reluctant to cast them in the film.
 
The choice finally zeroed in on one Anna Salunke. He was working as a cook. He had some feminine features and after a screen test, Dadasaheb found him to be perfect for the role. He acted as the wife of Raja Sathya Harischandra in the film.
 
But in the titles, in order to make it look authentic and bring in some craze among people to look at a female artiste, Dadasaheb gave Anna Salunke’s name as Miss Savaria. So, the film on the ‘King of Truth’ actually began with a blatant lie!