This Day in History: 1931-03-14

Alam Ara –– the first Indian film with sound — is released on this day 1931  in Mumbai. The title means “The Ornament of the World” and the plot involves a love story between a prince and a gypsy girl. As the first film with audio in India, Alam Ara  generated large enthusiastic crowds around theaters. Director Ardeshir Irani decided to use Hundustani language instead of others, and that choice shaped the future of Bollywood.  Unfortunately, the film was lost, and no copies  survive today. For more see this article at Live History India.