Documentary Movement: 1960s and After 

Soon, in the late 1960s, a new generation of filmmakers emerged in India, who were influenced by the global counterculture movement and the French New Wave. These filmmakers, including Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, sought to create a new kind of cinema that was more experimental, poetic, and introspective.

The early documentaries produced during this time were characterized by their realistic portrayal of Indian society. They were made on a low budget and used non-professional actors. The filmmakers used real-life locations and situations to give a glimpse of the daily lives of the people. The documentaries also highlighted the struggles of the underprivileged sections of society.

One of the earliest documentaries produced during this movement was ‘Chinatown’ (1938) by Hari Narayan Apte. The film explored the lives of the Chinese community in Calcutta and their struggles with identity and cultural integration. Another notable documentary from this period was ‘Achhut Kanya’ (1936), directed by Franz Osten. The film portrayed the life of an ‘untouchable’ woman and her struggles in a caste-based society.