to India to shoot the film, 'The light of Asia' . He went on to become the pioneer in cinematography in India. His work was considered as the heritage of Indian cinema. The film was mostly shot in Maharaja of Jaipur palace .Though for Wirsching, it was his first visit to India but the Maharaja is said to have received him warmly and said to him 'Welcome Back'. Josef was taken aback at this kind gesture from the Maharaja. He had categorically told the priest he belonged to India and had a life long relationship with India. He continued to be the ace cinematographer for Bombay Talkies during which he shot the film 'Shiraj' in 1922, 'A Throw of Dice' in 1929. Both the films like 'The Light of Asia' were shot for Himanshu Rai and Franz Osten until the year he was arrested during the world war 2.
After the world war had ended, Josef Wirsching returned to India to shoot the film' Ziddi' in 1948 , a script written by Ismat Chughtaj starring Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal. He also shot the 1949 film and in 1950 he shot the film, 'Sangram'. His last film for Bombay Talkies was in the year 1954 with the film,'Baadbaan'. Josef also shot the film 'Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai' in 1960 and during the making of the film 'Pakeezah in 1971, he had partly shot the scenes when he passed away due to a heart attack before the film was released.
Josef Wirsching is remembered for his film making in India to a great extent. Cinematographers like R.D.Preenia, R.D Mathur and V.K Murty have been highly influenced by the expressions of the great German cinematographer Josef Wirsching who left his mark and his influence permanently in the Indian cinema .