India today celebrates 143rd birth anniversary of the father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke with more gaiety and enthusiasm.

A Play on the life and times of Dadasaheb Phalke by Aamir Raza Hussain will stage on tonight to mark the Centenary Film Festival in New Delhi.

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke was donpato on 30th April 1870. The legendry producer-director-screenwriter of Indian films was a visionary to foresee the potential of the film medium almost a century ago.

Phalke made his first film ‘Raja Harischandra’ in 1913, effectively marked the beginning of the Indian film industry. He made 95 movies and 26 short films in his career spanning of 19 years, till 1937.

His most noted works include Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918), Kaliya Mardan (1919) and many others.

To respect his significant contributions to Indian cinema, the Government of India instituted “Dadasaheb Phalke Award” in 1969 in his name.

The award, which signifies the highest official recognition for film personalities, is given annually to a prominent film personality for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

For the year 2012, the prestigious award will be given to Pran Krishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran.

Dadasaheb Phalke was expired on 16th February 1944.