Harishchandrachi Factory
[box_light]”We unnecessarily get into labels such as experimental and commercial. It is the treatment of the film that matters.” – Paresh Mokashi[/box_light]
Harishchandrachi Factory is a Marathi film, released in 2009, directed by Paresh Mokashi. Harishchandrachi Factory is a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the pioneer who brought cinema to India with Raja Harishchandra, the first motion picture made in Mumbai in 1913.
The story of Harishchandrachi Factory is about the beginning of the Indian film industry, when two business partners fall out, resulting in one leaving the company. As the family struggle to survive Phalke (Nandu Madhav) decides to make his own silent motion picture with the support of his family. He travels to England to learn about the new medium and, after he returns, brings together a team of actors and technicians to produce his first film about the story of Raja Harishchandra. Through all the hard work, the movie becomes a hit — marking the beginning of one of the world’s biggest film industries.
The entire film is shot in the style of the movies made in Phalke’s days. This movie is made with only those camera movements which was possible in those days with some exceptions, actors and actresses would move in and out of view, much like stage actors.
Harishchandrachi Factory was acclaimed critically and won several awards. It was also selected as India’s official entry to 82nd Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
