Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar (b. 1868)
Aka Save Dada. Almost certainly the first Indian film-maker. Professional still photographer often portrayed as an amateur, but, in fact, a businessman trading in cameras and film equipment on a nationwide basis. Made several shorts, including one on a wrestling match and one on the antics of monkeys. Best-known footage shows the return from England of R.P. Paranjpye, Minister of Education in Bombay Presidency, which he exhibited with imported shorts in a tent bioscope in Bombay. Sold equipment to Karandikar of S.N. Patankar?’s company and retired from cinema in 1907. Interviewed in Screen, Bombay (30 April 1954).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1899: The Wrestlers; Man and Monkey; 1901: Landing of Sir M.M. Bhownuggree; Atash Behram; 1902: Sir Wrangler Mr R.P. Paranjpye; 1903: Delhi Durbar of Lord Curzon (all St).