- By Ridam Sharma
- Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
First Recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India’s highest film award is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The biggest cinema honour is given by the Government of India and presented every year at the National Film Awards. However, have you ever wondered who was the first one to take this most prestigious title home? Unlike popular belief, it was a woman. The first Dadasaheb Phalke Award was presented in 1969. The award was initiated by the Government of India in the tributary memory of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, who is regarded as the 'Father of Indian Cinema.'
Why Dhundiraj Govind Phalke is Known As The Father of Indian Cinema?
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, who was famously known as Dadasaheb Phalke, is regarded as the 'Father of Indian Cinema,' because he is the man who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. The honourary Dadasaheb Phalke Award is also presented in his memory.
Who Received The First Dadasaheb Phalke Award In 1969?
The very first winner of the legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969 was given to iconic Hindi film actress Devika Rani, according to IMDb. She was awarded the award at the 17th National Film Awards function. The woman was respectively known as the 'first lady of Indian cinema', due to her major character roles as a performer and trendsetter during the beginning of Indian films.
The award is accompanied by a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a monetary award of Rs 1 million, which is now 1.5 million. Since its first honour to Devika Rani in 1969, several phenomenal film personalities have won this award, across all fields, actors, filmmakers, music composers, singers and others, who have contributed immensely to the Indian cinema.
However, Devika Rani being awarded the inaugural Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969 is a landmark in Indian cinema history and highlights women’s contributions in the entertainment industry.