Mohini Bhasmasur
| Mohini Bhasmasur | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dadasaheb Phalke (Dhundiraj Govind Phalke) |
| Produced by | Dadasaheb Phalke for Phalke Films |
| Written by | Dadasaheb Phalke |
| Starring |
Kamlabai Gokhale Durgabai Kamat |
| Cinematography | Dadasaheb Phalke |
| Distributed by | Dadasaheb Phalke |
|
Release date
|
November 1913 |
| Country | India |
| Language |
Silent film Marathi intertitles |
Mohini Bhasmasur is a 1913 Indian mythological film directed by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke and starring Kamlabai Gokhale and Durgabai Kamat. It is India's and Phalke's second full-length film. Mohini Bhasmasur is the first Indian film to have actresses; in Raja Harischandra (India's and Phalke's first film), males played female roles.
The plot of the film revolves round the theme of the Hindu mythological story of Mohini and Bhasmasur(a) ("ash-demon"), an asura (demon). The god Shiva grants Bhasmasura the power to turn anyone into ashes by touching their head. The demon decides to try the power on Shiva himself. Shiva runs terrified. The god Vishnu, witnessing the unfortunate turn of events, transforms into the seductress Mohini and enchants Bhasmasura. Bhasmasura asks her to marry him. Mohini agrees, but only on the condition that Bhasmasura follows her move for move in a dance. In the course of the dance, she places her hand on her head. Bhasmasura mimics the action, and in turn, reduces himself to ashes.
The film was of 32,554 feet (9,922 m) length.
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 only 13 years 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 (1870-1944), popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke. He was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, costume-designer, 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 on 3 May 1913. Soon after, Mohini Bhasmasur was screened for the first time in November 1913. A one-minute short comedy film Pithache Panje (Hand Prints) was released as a "side attraction" with the film.
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