Pushpak, Raja Harishchandra and others: Silent movies of Bollywood that are still heard

Kanjibhai Rathod’s “Bhakta Vidur” stands out for its bold, albeit subtle, commentary on contemporary political issues by drawing parallels between the Mahabharata’s Vidur and Mahatma Gandhi. This unique approach, however, led to censorship in Madras, underscoring the silent era’s potential for social messaging and the authorities’ sensitivity to it. The film’s controversial reception makes it a noteworthy example of early Indian cinema engaging with real-world issues, even within a mythological framework, and its story continues to be “heard” in discussions about early censorship.