Before Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan or Hema Malini’s Seeta Aur Geeta there was a man who made history on screen at a time when cinema was still learning to walk. That man was Anna Salunke a name that deserves to be remembered every time we talk about the origins of Indian cinema. In an era without VFX body doubles or editing magic Anna did what no actor had done before: he played two completely different characters in the same film. Who was the first actor to play a double role in Indian cinema? The year was 1917 and Indian audiences were introduced to something extraordinary. Dadasaheb Phalke known as the Father of Indian Cinema directed Lanka Dahan a silent film inspired by the Ramayana. The movie had one of the most iconic scenes Hanuman setting Lanka on fire but what truly captured everyone’s imagination was the casting choice. Anna Salunke who had already acted in Phalke’s earlier film Raja Harishchandra (1913) was cast to play not just Lord Ram but also Goddess Sita. At the time women were not allowed to act in films as it was considered improper. As a result male actors took on female roles — a practice common in early theatre too. How did a cook become a film legend? Before fame found him Anna worked as a cook at a small restaurant in Mumbai. It was there that Dadasaheb Phalke noticed his expressive face and calm demeanour. Impressed by his look and presence Phalke offered him a role for Rs 15 a month — a modest start that would lead to cinematic history. His transformation into Sita was remarkable. His graceful gestures and expressive eyes made the audience believe in both his characters — the gentle devotion of Sita and the divine strength of Ram. What made his performance so special? By the time Lanka Dahan was released Anna had developed a more muscular build. Interestingly many viewers noticed his strong arms even while he portrayed Sita. Yet his acting was so natural that it did not break the illusion. Phalke’s innovative trick photography helped make the double role seamless — something audiences had never seen before. The film turned out to be a massive success. People queued outside theatres amazed by the technical wizardry and Anna’s dual performance. Lanka Dahan went on to become one of the earliest box-office hits of Indian cinema. Anna Salunke’s journey from a restaurant cook to India’s first double-role performer remains an inspiring chapter in film history. He may not have lived to see the scale of cinema today but every actor who’s ever pulled off a double role owes a small tribute to the man who first dared to do it Anna Salunke. Highlights: Anna Salunke played both Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in Lanka Dahan (1917). He was discovered by Dadasaheb Phalke while working as a cook in Mumbai. Lanka Dahan became one of Indian cinema’s first major box-office hits.