On 14th March 1931, a pivotal moment occurred in Indian cinema history with the release of “Alam Ara,” the first talkie movie in India. Directed and produced by Ardeshir Irani, this groundbreaking film signaled the transition from silent films to sound in India, reshaping the nation’s film industry. However, the unfortunate truth is that no known film copy of “Alam Ara” remains in the National Film Archives of India, leaving a significant gap in preserving this cinematic treasure.
Alam Ara, directed by Ardeshir Irani, marked a historic milestone as the inaugural talkie film in India, debuting on March 14, 1931. This groundbreaking cinematic creation was a blend of Hindi and Urdu, strategically chosen by Irani for widespread audience appeal. Celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2022, Alam Ara played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the Indian film industry.
Ardeshir Irani’s inspiration for “Alam Ara” came after watching the American talkie film “Show Boat” in 1929. Armed with this newfound inspiration, he embarked on a journey to bring sound to the silver screen in India. The film’s title, “Alam Ara,” meaning “The Ornament of the World,” was adopted from a Parsi pay written by Joseph David.
The movie’s storyline revolves around a love story between a gypsy girl, Alamara and a prince named Ali Jahangir Khan. The role of Adil Jahangir Khan was portrayed by the illustrious Prithviraj Kapoor, setting the stage for his illustrious career in Indian cinema. What made “Alam Ara” even more groundbreaking was its use of natural sound. Actors discreetly placed microphones in their dress pockets to capture their dialogues, which was a pioneering technique at the time.
“Alam Ara” was filmed at Bombay’s Majestic Talkies, serving as the backdrop for this historic production. Despite its pioneering status and its role in ushering in a new era in Indian cinema, “Alam Ara” finds itself in an unfortunate predicament today. The National Film Archives of India does not possess a film copy of this path-breaking movie, leaving a void in the historical record of Indian cinema.
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On March 14, 1931, a historic moment unfolded in the annals of Indian cinema as the first talkie movie in India, “Alam Ara,” was released.
Ardeshir Irani, the director and producer of "Alam Ara", took the inspiration for “Alam Ara” after watching the American talkie film “Show Boat” in 1929.
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