The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) has officially responded to allegations of fraud and mismanagement that surfaced earlier this year, reaffirming its commitment to the Indian film industry. The festival organizers have strongly denounced what they describe as "false and malicious allegations" against the organization and its leadership, contending that these claims are unfounded and possibly stem from attempts to damage the festival's reputation.

According to DPIFF, these issues arose in the lead-up to the awards ceremony initially scheduled for February 20, 2025, in Mumbai. The festival alleges that certain individuals engaged in extortion attempts, threatening to disrupt the event. When these demands were not met, the festival claims these individuals initiated false allegations intended to malign the reputation of DPIFF's Managing Director, Anil Mishra, and CEO, Abhishek Mishra. These developments purportedly created serious safety concerns for the team and invited guests, which forced the organizers to postpone the ceremony.

Following the emergence of these allegations, legal counsel for DPIFF took action to challenge the claims, which were then placed under judicial review. The festival states that a formal clearance and clean antecedent is currently under process with the Bandra Police Station for Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), Anil Mishra, and Abhishek Mishra.

The allegations against DPIFF included accusations of falsely claiming support from the central government to secure sponsorships from various state governments and institutions. It was also alleged that the organizers sold awards in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke, even to actors whose films had been commercially unsuccessful. A First Information Report (FIR) was reportedly registered against Anil Mishra, his wife Parvati Mishra, and their son Abhishek Mishra, among others, for falsely claiming the support of prominent political leaders to enhance the event's credibility. It was further alleged that the accused collected sponsorship from government and semi-government institutions, including tourism departments of multiple states, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, and Life Insurance Corporation.

In response to these challenges, Abhishek Mishra, CEO of DPIFF, issued an official statement, emphasizing the festival's dedication to celebrating artistic excellence and India's cinematic legacy. He stated that the recent challenges have only strengthened their resolve and expressed gratitude to the Indian judicial system for reaffirming the truth. Mishra also thanked artists, filmmakers, and cinephiles for their unwavering support.

DPIFF has urged the public, stakeholders, and members of the creative industry to disregard rumors or fabricated narratives. The Festival maintains that it is focused on its mission to honor cinematic brilliance and amplify India's creative voices on a global stage and is set to return soon.