Which was the first full-length feature film produced in India?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the early history of Indian cinema and asks about the first full length feature film produced in India. Knowing this milestone is important because it marks the beginning of a major film industry that later became one of the largest in the world. Competitive examinations often include questions on such pioneering achievements. The generally accepted answer in exam contexts is "Raja Harishchandra", directed by Dadasaheb Phalke.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Four film titles are given: Hatimtai, Alam Ara, Pundalik, and Raja Harishchandra. • The question asks specifically about the first full length feature film produced in India. • "Feature film" here refers to a narrative film of substantial length, not a short or documentary. • Only one of the options is traditionally recognised as the correct answer for most exams. • Some historical debate exists about Pundalik, but exam standards follow a conventional choice.

Concept / Approach:
Dadasaheb Phalke is widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema. His film "Raja Harishchandra", released in 1913, is considered the first full length Indian feature film. While "Pundalik" was released slightly earlier, it is often treated as a partly foreign production and does not hold the same status in many exam syllabi. "Alam Ara" is famous as the first Indian talkie (sound film), and "Hatimtai" came later. The approach is to follow the commonly accepted exam convention that credits "Raja Harishchandra" as the first full length Indian feature film.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that "Raja Harishchandra" was produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke and is commonly mentioned as India's first feature film. 2. Note that it was a silent film based on a mythological story from Indian tradition. 3. Examine option d, Raja Harishchandra, and connect it with this pioneering status. 4. Consider option b, Alam Ara, which is celebrated for being the first Indian sound film or talkie, released in 1931, not the first feature film overall. 5. Consider option a, Hatimtai, which is a later film and does not have the distinction of being first. 6. Consider option c, Pundalik, which was an earlier silent film but is sometimes classified differently in history discussions and is not the standard answer in most competitive exams. 7. Conclude that Raja Harishchandra is the correct and exam standard answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Most textbooks and competitive exam guides state that the first full length feature film produced in India was "Raja Harishchandra" in 1913. Dadasaheb Phalke is honoured for this achievement, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema is named after him. Lists of major milestones in Indian cinema generally put "Raja Harishchandra" first, with "Alam Ara" noted for introducing sound. While some film historians discuss Pundalik in detail, examination bodies consistently prefer "Raja Harishchandra" as the answer to this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Hatimtai is not historically recognised as the first Indian feature film and was produced later. • Alam Ara is important as the first Indian talkie but came years after "Raja Harishchandra". • Pundalik has a complex production history and is not usually treated as the first full length feature film in standard exam oriented material.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is confusing "first feature film" with "first talkie" and choosing Alam Ara because it is frequently mentioned in cinema history. Another pitfall is to be misled by discussions about Pundalik and assume that it must be the first film, without noting how examinations conventionally treat it. To avoid these issues, it is important to remember the simple rule that for exam purposes, "Raja Harishchandra" is considered the first full length Indian feature film, and "Alam Ara" is remembered as the first sound film.

Final Answer:
The first full length feature film produced in India is conventionally recognised as Raja Harishchandra.