Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards is considered to be one of India’s most prestigious award ceremonies. For the unversed, DPIFF was founded in 2012 and established in 2016 to carry forward the legacy of the Father of Indian Cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. However, in a shocking turn of events, DPIFF’s Managing Director, Anil Mishra, and CEO, Abhishek Mishra, were accused of deceiving many state governments and tourism departments, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, for sponsorships. DPIFF’s MD, Anil, was also accused of selling awards to actors whose films didn’t do well at the box office. Now, on May 21, 2025, the organisers of DPIFF issued a fresh statement rejecting the allegations and called the recent attempts ‘a motive to defame.’
DPIFF’s MD, Anil Mishra and CEO, Abhishek Mishra, issue a fresh statement following the recent controversy
On May 21, 2025, taking to their official Instagram handle, the DPIFF’s organisers issued a new statement surrounding the recent controversy. In the official statement, they wrote the recent controversial events were just to defame the platform that was built to maintain the legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke. They also wrote that the false allegations couldn’t derail them from their mission to carry on the legacy. The official statement can be read as:
“Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival stands as a proud tribute to Indian cinema, creativity and integrity – a platform built on legacy. Despite recent attempts to defame and derail our journey through false and malicious narratives, DPIFF remains unshaken. These unfounded claims failed to derail our mission. We’re back – with more power, passion and purpose.”
