Dadasaheb Phalke Mural, MTNL Building, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai

Dadasaheb Phalke Mural
Location: MTNL Building, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai | Year: 2014
Mumbai, often referred to as the heart of Bollywood, owes its cultural and economic lifeblood to the Indian film industry. Yet, the origins of this iconic industry remain unfamiliar to many. As part of St+art Mumbai 2014, artist Ranjit Dahiya from the Bollywood Art Project created a mural to honor Dadasaheb Phalke, the visionary behind India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), and the man widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema.
The Mural
Spanning the entire facade of the MTNL building, the mural depicted Dadasaheb Phalke holding a roll of film against a striking yellow background. The color scheme was designed to make the mural visible from a distance, reflecting the brilliance and vibrancy of Bollywood itself.
“Keeping Mumbai’s love for the film industry in mind, the one individual that I instantly thought of was Dadasaheb Phalke, who deserved the most prominent mural,” said Ranjit Dahiya.
The MTNL building was chosen for its visibility from the Western Express Highway, making it a fitting landmark to host this tribute. As a long-standing symbol of Mumbai, the site added historical and cultural depth to the mural’s narrative.

The Process
Executed in collaboration with Indian artists Yantr, Munir Bukhari, and Nilesh Kharade, the 120x150 foot mural was Dahiya’s largest work to date. The team used 800 liters of paint to complete the artwork over a span of 10 days.
The mural was unveiled on December 11, 2014, in a ceremony led by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and renowned advertising professional Piyush Pandey.
Legacy
While the mural was celebrated as an ode to Mumbai’s cinematic heritage, it also highlighted the city’s propensity to forget its own foundational stories amidst its rapid growth and transformation. Dahiya’s work served as a visual reminder of Bollywood’s origins, bringing Dadasaheb Phalke’s legacy back into public consciousness.
As of 2019, the mural no longer exists, having been painted over due to the MTNL building’s need for extensive repairs. This loss underscores the ephemeral nature of street art and public spaces, reflecting the transient, ever-evolving identity of urban environments.
The Dadasaheb Phalke mural remains a poignant chapter in Mumbai’s urban art journey, celebrating the father of Indian cinema while serving as a reminder of the fleeting nature of public art.