Lights, Camera, Action! Cinema has brought so much joy into the lives of humans that no other medium could have ever brought. While we live the same mundane reality everyday, those 2-3 hours spent in a cinema hall inspire us to dream – to dream of a world where everything ends on a happy note, and if it doesn’t, then it’s not the end – the show must go on!

But, ever wondered how was it in the 20th century? What were the sources of entertainment before cinema came? Prior to cinema, we used to have a traditional visual storytelling format such as; Patachitra katha or Scroll painting, Murals, Cave paintings, Puppet shows, Songs, Dance, Plays etc. All of these remained popular sources of entertainment even during the 20th century. But, what was the scenario outside India? Countries like France, America etc started experimenting with motion pictures or moving pictures. 

Thomas Alva Edison and his assistant William Dickson came up with ‘Kinetograph’ in 1890. At the same time, French brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière introduced the Cinematograph, a three-in-one device that could record, develop, and project motion pictures. They made an early set of motion picture reels recording everyday French life such as workers coming out of the factory, the arrival of a train etc. In 1896, they sent their representatives around the world to show the reels and to shoot more films and that is when Cinema arrived in India, purely, by chance. 

The first ever screening held at Watson’s hotel, Bombay generated enough excitement for more shows which began a week later on 14th July 1896 at Novelty Theatre

. These films were accompanied by an orchestra and attracted a full house.