The Man Who Inspired Faith

To the one who gave us light, Phalke,

Some people are remembered for what they achieve, but you are remembered for what you gave. You gave India its first steps in cinema, but more than that, you gave it hope, courage, and a dream to believe in itself.

They say you once gave away your own shoes to a stranger in need. That you shared your food with hungry technicians during long shoots. That even when you had little, you gave whatever you could. These stories may not always make it to history books, but they live in hearts. Because more than the Father of Indian Cinema, you were, first, a kind man.

I grew up hearing stories of you not just about your films, but about the kind of person you were. You once pawned your wife’s jewellery to fund your first film. That must have been a difficult moment, but what stands out is that your wife stood by you, unwavering. It makes me wonder: what kind of man inspires such faith and sacrifice? The answer is simple, a man whose heart is pure, whose dreams are never just his own, and whose purpose is greater than personal gain.

Also, when you finally made Raja Harishchandra, the people around you were sceptical. It was a time when cinema was new, and actors were hard to find. You convinced barbers, mill workers, even common folk to act because you believed in them. You saw potential in people when they couldn’t see it in themselves. This wasn’t just about making a film; this was about uplifting those around you, giving them a reason to dream.

It is said that even in your hardest days, you never turned away someone in need. Who does that in today’s world? Who has that kind of kindness, that ability to look beyond themselves?

I think about these things often. In our world today, where everyone is in a hurry, where people often forget to look beyond themselves, your life is a reminder of what truly matters. It’s not success or wealth, it’s kindness, it’s belief in others, it’s the willingness to give without expecting anything in return.

This is the humanity I wish to celebrate. A small act of kindness, a simple choice to do good, it changes lives. That very thought inspired Shidori, a story close to my heart. In a quiet corner of a small village, kindness speaks louder than words. I always try to reflect this approach: how one moment of goodness can turn the unexpected into something beautiful.

In a world that often forgets kindness in its race for success, your story reminds us to pause, to care, and to give.

Thank you, not just for the work you did, but for the kind of person you were.

 With gratitude and admiration,

A storyteller who carries your spirit forward