10 Facts About Anna Salunke

Anna Hari Salunke, known as A Salunke and Annasaheb Saluke, was an Indian actor who performed female roles in very early Indian cinema and a cinematographer.

Anna Salunke is credited as the first person to perform as a heroine in Indian cinema when he played the role of Rani Taramati of King Harishchandra in Dada Saheb Phalke's first full-length film, Raja Harishchandra.

In 1917, Salunke became the first to play a double role in Indian cinema, by playing the roles of both the hero and heroine in Lanka Dahan.

Anna Salunke portrayed the heroine in Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature film.

Anna Salunke played the role of Queen Taramati, the consort of king Harishchandra, whose tale is told in Hindu mythology.

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Anna Salunke worked as a cook or waiter in a restaurant on Grant Road, Mumbai, frequented by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the director and producer of the film.

Phalke saw Anna Salunke, who had an effeminate figure and slender hands, and convinced him to play a female role.

Anna Salunke played the first double role in Indian cinema, by playing both the male role of the hero Rama and the female role of his wife Sita, the heroine.

However, Anna Salunke had developed a more muscular physique by then, and the audience could see his biceps even as he played the goddess Sita.

Later, Anna Salunke abandoned his acting career and fully concentrated on cinematography.