[1][2] He is the first person to perform as a heroine in Indian cinema when he played the role of Queen Taramati in Dada Saheb Phalke's first full-length film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).

Salunke portrayed the heroine in Raja Harishchandra (1913), the first full-length Indian feature film.

He played the role of Queen Taramati, the consort of king Harishchandra, whose tale is told in Hindu mythology.

Phalke could not find a woman who agreed to act in the film; even prostitutes and dancing girls refused.

Phalke saw Salunke, who had an effeminate figure and slender hands, and convinced him to play a female role.