On  the  2nd of August, 1953 a small group  of  cinematographers  gathered  at  the  Embassy Theather,  in  Mumbai, to  attend  the  meeting  convend  by Shri V. Avdhut. It was the very first meeting of cinematographers, and it was out of this meeting that the idea of craft wise Association took shape.

Shri Faredoon Irani was in the chair and most of the top cameraperson of the time were present. It was generally felt that a society be formed on the lines of the A.S.C (AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHY). Shri Krishna Gopal emphasised the need for a compact body in following words: "It is necessary to form a compact body of cinematographers so that its voice can be heard. It would also provide cinematographers with a common platform, where they could discuss their problems, exchanges views and generally be of help to each other." Shri Rajnikant C. Pandya suggested that regional body be formed instead of all India body and named Western India Cinematographer's Society. The new society include the cameraperson working in Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur, and was ultimately named Western India Society of Cinematographers'.

The first meeting of the Western India Society of Cinematographers was held at the Shree Sound Studios on 5th September, 1953. Office bearers were elected and a draft constitution was adopted.

The Office bearers elected were Shri Nitin Bose as President, Shri V.Avadhut as Vice-President. Shri Krishna Gopal as secretary and Shri Radhu Karmakar as Treasurer respectively.

The members of the first executive body were Shri Rajnikant C. Pandya, Shri Dwarka Khosla, Shri Surendra K. Pai, Shri Prahlad Dutt, Shri Ratanlal Nagar, Shri Rajendra Malone, Shri M.R.Jaywant, Shri R.D.Mathur, Shri Ajoy Kar, Shri Vasant Buwa and Shri Rustom Master.

Kumari Nargis (Smt. Nargis Dutt) and Shri Raj Kapoor were first to accept life membership.

Working as a Society, the Western India Society of Cinematographer's was unable to solve effectively, the various problems of its members. It was felt that these could be handled better if the Society registered itself as the Trade Union. At the 39th meeting of the Executive Committee it was decided to reorganize the society as a Trade Union. At the General Body Meeting of the Society held on 9th April, 1955 it was unanimously decided that the Society will registered as the Trade Union. On 30th April, 1955 the registrar of Trade Unions Bombay State, registered the Society under Indian Trade Union Act, 1926 as the Western India Cinematographers' Association. The registered office was at Shree sound Studio Dadar (East), Mumbai - 400 014 from where it still functions.

The first General Body Meeting of the newly formed Western Indian Cinematographers' Association was held on 28th May, 1955 at Shree Sound Studios. Offices bearers and members of the Executives Committee were elected by ballot papers for the first time. The office bearers elected were Shri Nitin Bose as President, Shri Govardhan Patel as Vice-President. Shri Krishna Gopal as General Secretary and Shri Radhu Karmakar as Treasurer respectively.

The member of the Managing Committee were Shri V.Avadhut, Shri Rajnikant C. Pandya, Shri Rustom P.Master, Shri Dronacharya, Shri R.D.Mathur, Shri S.S.Verma, Shri K.S.Gupta, Shri M.N.Malhotra, Shri Baubahi Mistry, Shri Jaywant Pathare, Shri Tara Dutt, Shri Rajendra Malone and Shri M.V. Vaidya respectively. The Draft constitution was adopted with some amendments. The various traders within the film industry followed the W.I.C.A examples and started forming craft wise Trade Unions. The Association welcomed the formation of Other Trade Union and their 8th meeting, W.I.C.A. Managing Committee mooted the idea of a federation of all films craft unions in Mumbai. On 28th February, 1957 a federation of Western India Cine Employees was formed.

W.I.C.A. (Past Office Bearers)