Mohanlal was felicitated with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 2025 National Film Awards

The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2025 was held on October 30 in Worli, Mumbai. Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, Phalke’s grandson, says that while he was invited to the 13th edition, he refused to attend it. His reason is simple — he doesn’t recognize the gala, which is accused of misusing Phalke’s name and misleading government bodies.

Pusalkar tells mid-day, “There are two FIRs against them. How can they hold an event after all that has happened? They were after me to attend the event, but I declined. I was told that my grandson and niece accepted the invitation.”

Reportedly founded in 2012, the DPIFF honoured prominent names like Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Kareena Kapoor Khan over the years. In February 2025, the Bandra Police registered a case against organizers Anil and Abhishek Mishra for allegedly misleading people by claiming that their event is an official government programme and securing sponsorship from several state tourism departments (Father-son duo booked for allegedly misusing Phalke award name, Feb 7). The Bombay High Court stayed the investigation, with the matter scheduled for hearing on November 7.

The event’s name is strikingly similar to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is given by the government and is India’s highest honour in movies. The award — named after the Father of Indian cinema — is presented annually at the National Film Awards.

Pusalkar adds, “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.”