Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson accuses film festival of misusing his name
What's the story
Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, the grandson of legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke, recently refused to attend the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2025. The event, held on Thursday, October 30, in Worli, Mumbai, has been accused of misusing Phalke's name and misleading people. Pusalkar told Mid-Day that he doesn't recognize the gala.
Legal issues
'They were after me to attend the event'
Pusalkar said, "There are two FIRs against them. How can they hold an event after all that has happened?" He added, "They were after me to attend the event, but I declined. I was told that my grandson and niece accepted the invitation." The DPIFF Awards have previously honored notable figures such as Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Kareena Kapoor Khan. It describes itself as "India's only independent international film festival."
Pusalkar's statement
Pusalkar's firm stance
Pusalkar further emphasized his stance, saying, "I will not attend any Dadasaheb Phalke Awards event, except the one organized by the government." "Nobody should use my grandfather's name, except the government." The DPIFF is named after Phalke, who is regarded as the Father of Indian cinema. It is often confused with the official Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is presented annually at the National Film Awards and is India's highest cinematic honor. Mohanlal received the award this year.
Legal action
Legal issues against organizers
In February 2025, Bandra Police registered a case against DPIFF organizers Anil and Abhishek Mishra for allegedly deceiving people by presenting their event as an official government initiative. Reports suggest that they obtained sponsorships from multiple state tourism departments based on these false claims. The Bombay High Court subsequently stayed the investigation, with a hearing scheduled for November 7, per Mid-Day.
Response
DPIFF has defended itself
In May, DPIFF defended itself through a statement and said, "Since its inception, Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival has stood as a proud torchbearer of India's rich cinematic legacy, committed to celebrating artistic excellence." "Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival remains devoted to honoring cinematic excellence and India's cultural heritage." Per its website, "DPIFF has earned prestigious awards for championing independent filmmakers and iconic talents, standing as a global beacon of cinematic excellence."
Winners
'Stree 2' won Best Film at DPIFF
Meanwhile, during the recent DPIFF awards, Stree 2 won the Best Film, while Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon won the Best Actor and Actress awards. Kabir Khan (Chandu Champion) won the award for Best Director, while Dinesh Vijan was honored as Producer of the Year. The critically acclaimed Laapataa Ladies was named Critics' Choice Best Film, and Emilia Pérez received the award for Best International Feature.