Indian cinema’s first talkie, Alam Ara, was premiered at Bombay's Majestic cinema on this day (14 March) in 1931
14 Mar 2026
Indian cinema’s first talkie, Alam Ara, was premiered at Bombay's Majestic cinema on this day (14 March) in 1931. Based on a Parsi play by Joseph David, the film was directed by the Imperial Film Company's Ardeshir Irani.
The cast consisted of Master Vithal, Zubeida, Prithviraj Kapoor and Zilloo. Zubeida played the role of Alam Ara. The film is based on a fictional story set in the kingdom of Kamarpur. It is stated by some historians that the film had a song ‘De de khuda ke naam par’, sung by Wazir Mohd. Khan, which became very popular. Wazir also played the role of a Faqir in the film.
The film attracted such large crowds that police had to be summoned to keep order.
The original film is stated to have been sold for its silver. But some working stills of the film survived.
The cast consisted of Master Vithal, Zubeida, Prithviraj Kapoor and Zilloo. Zubeida played the role of Alam Ara. The film is based on a fictional story set in the kingdom of Kamarpur. It is stated by some historians that the film had a song ‘De de khuda ke naam par’, sung by Wazir Mohd. Khan, which became very popular. Wazir also played the role of a Faqir in the film.
The film attracted such large crowds that police had to be summoned to keep order.
The original film is stated to have been sold for its silver. But some working stills of the film survived.
