Today marks the 87th anniversary of India's first sound film. Direscted by Ardeshir Irani Alam Ara is the first Indian sound film. It is reported that Irani could recognize the significance the impact of sound would have on the cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films.  Before this movie Cine experience was experience was limited to moving images.

Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai (then Bombay) on 14 March 1931.  This day marks the 87 annivarsary of this landmark movie. Apparently, the first Indian sound film was so popular that police aid had to be summoned to control the crowds. What is even more significant to note is that Alam Ara was houseful for the next 8 weeks of its release.

Because the major populi was not aware what talkie was all about Alam Ara was   advertised with the tagline All living. Breathing. 100 per cent talking.

Alam Ara is essentially is a love story between a prince and a gypsy girl. It is based on a Parsi play written by Joseph David who  later served as a writer at Irani's film company. The story revolves around an imaginary, historical royal family in the kingdom of Kumarpur. The leading characters are the king,  emperor Saleem Khan, and his two warring wives, Dilbahar Begum and Naubahar Begum. Their rivalry takes on a major proportion when a beggar (Fakir) predicts that Navbahar will bear the king's heir.

Dilbahar, in a fit of rage and absolute aggression, attempts to have an affair with the kingdom's chief minister, General Adil Khan played by the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor. The affair goes sour and a vengeful Dilbahar imprisons him and exiles his daughter, Alam Ara. In exile, Alamara is brought up by wanton gypsy clan.  She returns to the palace at Kumarpur, Alamara meets and falls in love with the charming young prince, Jahangir Khan.  The story therefore inloves love, drama, conflict and of course a happy ending. What marked the diffrence for the film was that it had sound to it!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 14, 2018 06:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).