Kamlabai Gokhale

Kamlabai Gokhale was the first Indian woman to become an Indian actress. She got her break in Dadasaheb Phalke’s film. In those days, no woman, not even the dancing girls would face the camera. It was considered equivalent to exposing in a public place. In such an orthodox society, Kamalabai became the first face of an actress. Around 1913, Dadasaheb Phalke was planning for his magnum opus ‘Raja Harishchandra’. But before he could start, he needed a woman who could play the character of a female lead. Since even the dancing girls had an objection to facing the camera, Phalke’s grand plans got stalled.

As per the industry sources, Phalke had gone to a restaurant for sipping a cup of tea and found a beautiful woman working in the kitchen as a help. She accepted the offer on a monthly salary of Rs 10. Before she made her debut in the black and white picture, a man named Salunke ruled for a decade playing woman character on the screen. Thus, a celluloid star Kamalabai was born. At an age of 15, she became a celebrity. The film was showcased in abroad too. Next year, she married Gokhale, who was with the Kirloskar Natak Company. The young couple was even cast as the new lead pair of the company. Thus, Kamlabai moved to the theater from films. When she was 25, she became a widow and was pregnant even. Kamalabai continued in her profession. In her words, Kamalabai had explained that she was not considered respectable enough though she was just like them, a mother with children. She had to fend for her mother, her children and herself. She acted in near 35 films. This actress has three sons who are all actors in the theater. In the 30s, Kamlabai worked under Veer Savarkar in the play “Ushaap”.

This actress had acted in historical and mythological themes.

Gokhale Family Tree (Infographic Family Tree)