Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
India makes more films than almost any other country, in dozens of languages, and its songs and stars are loved worldwide. Here are 12 incredible facts about Indian cinema.
12 incredible facts about Indian cinema
1. It began in 1913
Dadasaheb Phalke released Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film, in 1913.
2. Men played women’s roles
Acting was considered unsuitable for women at the time, so in Raja Harishchandra the role of Queen Taramati was played by a man, Anna Salunke.
3. The first talkie came in 1931
Ardeshir Irani’s Alam Ara was India’s first sound film, and songs became a defining feature of Indian cinema.
4. India makes about 2,000 films a year
India’s film certification board certifies around 2,000 feature films a year in many languages, more than almost any other country.
5. Mother India was nominated for an Oscar
Mother India (1957) was India’s first submission to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
6. India’s first Oscar went to a costume designer
Bhanu Athaiya won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for “Gandhi” in 1983, the first Oscar won by an Indian.
7. Satyajit Ray received an honorary Oscar
Satyajit Ray received an Academy Honorary Award in 1992, shortly before his death.
8. 2023 was a historic Oscar year
“Naatu Naatu” from RRR won Best Original Song, and “The Elephant Whisperers” won Best Documentary Short Film at the 2023 Oscars.
9. DDLJ has played for decades
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, released in 1995, has been shown at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theatre for decades, the longest run in Indian cinema history.
10. Sholay ran for five years
Sholay (1975) ran continuously for about five years at Mumbai’s Minerva theatre.
11. India has a giant film city
Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest film studio complex.
12. India’s top film honour began in 1969
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in cinema, was first given to actress Devika Rani in 1969.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bollywood the same as Indian cinema?
No. Bollywood refers to the Hindi film industry in Mumbai. India also has major Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi and other industries.
Who is called the father of Indian cinema?
Dadasaheb Phalke.
Which Indian films have won Oscars?
RRR (song “Naatu Naatu”) and The Elephant Whisperers (documentary short) won in 2023; earlier Indian winners include Bhanu Athaiya, Satyajit Ray (honorary), A.R. Rahman, Gulzar and Resul Pookutty for “Slumdog Millionaire”.
Keep exploring
- The story of Indian cinema
- How a film is made
- More Media explainers on Tiwaripedia
- Browse all incredible facts
Facts are based on widely accepted scientific, historical and official sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
