Vishwamitra demands that in order to complete the act of donation, an additional amount as "Dakshina" (honorarium) should be paid.

Being empty handed now, Harishchandra sells his wife Taramati, son Rohitashwa and himself to get the required amount.

The female lead role of Taramati, Harischandra's wife was played by a male actor Anna Salunke.

The story was an adaptation from the Hindu mythology and was scripted by Ranchhodbai Udayram and Dada Saheb Phalke.

Phalke followed it up by making films such as Satyavan Savithri, Lanka Dhahan (1917), Sri Krisna Janma (1918), and Kalia Mardan (1919).