Mohini Bhasmasur

Mohini Bhasmasur is a 1913 Indian mythological film directed by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke and starring Kamlabai Gokhale and Durgabai Kamat. It is Indias and Phalkes second fulllength film. Mohini Bhasmasur is the first Indian film to have actresses in Raja Harischandra Indias and Phalkes first film, males played female roles.

Mohini Bhasmasur was the first Indian film in which actresses were used. Kamlabai Gokhale b. 1900, d.1992, then called as Kamla Kamat, a Marathi stage actress, was cast as the heroine Mohini and Durgabai Kamat her mother played the role of Parvati. Kamala was onlyyears old at the time. However, in an era where women in performing arts were compared to prostitutes, this did not set a trend and male actors continued to perform female roles in cinema for years.Mohini Bhasmasur was the second feature film on a Hindu mythological theme in black and white of the silent movie era produced and directed by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke 18701944, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke. He was an Indian producerdirectorscreenwriter, costumedesigner, editor, processor, printer, developer, projectionist and distributor all rolled in one, known as the father of Indian cinema, and his first film was Raja Harishchandra, which released onMay 1913.Soon after, Mohini Bhasmasur was screened for the first time in November 1913. A oneminute short comedy film Pithache Panje Hand Prints was released as a side attraction with the film. ........

Source: Wikipedia