FIR against Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival founder for fraud and fake Govt endorsements

Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against Anil Mishra, founder and managing director of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), along with his son Abhishek Mishra, wife Parvati Mishra, and daughter Shweta Mishra, on charges of fraud, financial misrepresentation, and unauthorized use of government branding. The FIR, lodged at Bandra Police Station on February 5, was based on a complaint by Sameer Dixit, State President of the BJP Film Union, alleging that DPIFF falsely presented itself as a government-recognized event, sold awards, and secured sponsorships using forged government documents.

According to the FIR, Mishra and his associates allegedly used fake congratulatory letters featuring the names of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tourism Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. These letters were allegedly displayed on websites and promotional materials to falsely establish government endorsement. The FIR also states that DPIFF is not officially registered despite multiple attempts, all of which were rejected. However, the festival continued operating under similar names and variations.

The complaint further alleges that DPIFF’s upcoming event, scheduled for February 19-20 at Taj Lands End in Bandra, was promoted as a government-affiliated function. It states that sponsorships were secured from companies such as PVR Inox, Cinepolis, Punjab National Bank, and the tourism departments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Maharashtra. Tickets for the event were allegedly sold for up to ₹2.5 lakh per couple through online platforms. The FIR also mentions that Mishra allegedly misrepresented himself as a consultant committee member of the Food Corporation of India using forged visiting cards.

The FIR states that since 2016, DPIFF has allegedly obtained sponsorships and funds by misrepresenting itself as an official government event. The festival's branding reportedly resembled the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The complaint alleges that Mishra and his team used WhatsApp calls and digital platforms to spread false claims about government involvement and to attract sponsors and participants. It also mentions that International Tourism Festival Private Limited, the company under which Mishra secured approvals for the February event, has been shut down.

Authorities have filed charges under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS-2023). Mumbai Police have begun reviewing DPIFF’s financial transactions, sponsorship records, and event approvals. Investigators are examining whether permissions granted for the February event should be revoked. No arrests have been made yet, and further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.