Alam Ara, meaning 'The Ornament of the World' is a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir M. Irani.
Ardeshir Irani was an exhibitor of foreign movies who eventually turned film producer. He also set up Star Films Limited, Majestic Films and Royal Art Studio. In 1926 he began Imperial Film Company.
Alam Ara was the first Indian film with sound.
It was made in Hindi and Urdu
It was released under the banner of Imperial Movietone, was released on March 14, 1931 at Majestic cinema in Bombay (now Mumbai).
It was so popular that police arrangement had to be made to control the crowds
The film is now lost and not available with the National Film Archive of India in Pune.
The movie was based on a Parsi play written by Joseph David, who later worked with Irani as a writer in his film company
The film contained not only dialogues but singing as well.
Alam Ara marked the beginning of the film music in Indian films
