No, The Kashmir Files did not win Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2023
The “Dada Saheb Phalke Awards” is part of the National Film Awards and the “Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival” is an independent international film festival.
By Md Mahfooz Alam Published on 24 Feb 2023 11:28 AM GMT
(Source: Twitter)
Hyderabad: On 21 February, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, in a tweet, claimed that his film ‘The Kashmir Files’ won the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2023 in the ‘Best film’ category. The film is based on the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit exodus and has been making buzz since its release last year.
(Check the archived tweet here.)
Several media outlets such as ANI, Times Now, Mid Day, WION, The Statesman, and Jagran TV also reported that Agnihotri’s film won the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2023 in the “best film” category.
Social media users also amplified Vivek Agnihotri’s claim.
Click here, here, and here to see the claims.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading.
Mr. Agnihotri, in his tweet, posted several images, including the trophy’s photo. The text on the trophy and the banner in the other image reads “Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2023.”
We ran a keyword search and found that the “Dada Saheb Phalke Awards” is part of the National Film Awards and the “Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival” is an independent international film festival which celebrates the work of aspiring, young, independent, and professional filmmakers.
About Dada Saheb Phalke Award
In 1969, the Government of India introduced the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke’s contribution to Indian cinema. Mr. Phalke had directed India’s first full-length feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra,’ in 1913.
This award comes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is the highest award in Indian cinema. The award recognises the recipient for their “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.”
The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (golden lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs.
Devika Rani was the first recipient of the award in 1969, and Asha Parekh is the latest recipient in 2020.
On 30 December 2019, Amitabh Bachchan tweeted images of him receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The images show him being felicitated with the medal and shawl by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
About Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) is India’s only independent international film festival. It was founded in 2012 to take forward the legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke.
According to its website, Anil Mishra is the founder and managing director of DPIFF. He also serves on the advisory panel under the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The website enlists Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, former President of India Ram Nath Kovind and other BJP leaders as “well-wishers.” It also enlists the accolades received from BJP leaders and ministers.
Click here to find the list of Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2023 winners.
Controversy around the Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards
In 2018, CBFC board member Vani Tripathi Tikoo took to Twitter to clarify the confusion after media organisations misreported about the award.
She wrote, “There is only one “Dada Saheb Phalke” Award constituted by @MIB_India anyone else using the name is a gross violation of this prestigious award and its name (sic).”
Hence, we conclude that ‘The Kashmir Files’ did not win the coveted Dada Saheb Phalke Awards, which come under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the claim made by Vivek Agnihotri is misleading.
