H. S. Bhatavdekar

Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar (15 March 1868 – 20 February 1958) (Marathi : हरिश्चंद्र सखाराम भाटवडेकर), also known as Save dada, was the first Indian to make a film (motion picture) in India.

H. S. Bhatavdekar was a resident of Mumbai (Bombay). A Maharashtrian portrait photographer by occupation, Bhatavdekar was one of the first witnesses to the Lumiere Brothers film show in 1896 in Mumbai. He soon acquired a movie camera from London and a projector and went on to make some films on day-to-day life of the city as also some important events. He was a Karhade Brahmin.

"The Wrestlers" was shot during a wrestling match in Mumbai and was the first film to be shot by an Indian.

H. S. Bhatavdekar's later films also were all reality films, with "Local Scenes...", "Sir Wrangler..." and "Delhi Darbar..." being of historical significance; since important personalities like R. P. Paranjpe can be seen landing in India from a ship; and the proceedings of the Delhi Durbar (Delhi Royal Court). Bhatavdekar also filmed Lord Curzon at the coronation of King Edward VII in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1903. Bhatavdekar can be considered the first documentary filmmaker of India, with his films India's first newsreels.

(as a director)

• The Wrestlers (1896)
• A man and his monkeys (1899)
• Local Scenes: Landing of M. M. Bhownuggree (1901)
• Atash Behram (1901)
• Sir Wrangler Mr. R. P. Paranjpe (1902)
• Delhi Durbar of Lord Curzon (1903)
• Delhi Durbar (1903/I)

• "Indian Cinema Database: Silent films". Archived from the original on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-07-14.