Alam Ara

Alam Ara is a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir Irani. It was the first Indian sound film. Irani recognised the importance that sound would have on the cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films. Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai on 14 March 1931. The first Indian talkie was so popular that "police aid had to be summoned to control the crowds." The film has long been lost and was not available as far back as 1967 according the National Film Archive of India, Pune.