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 recognise 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.”