Fake Awards & Fake PhD scam
Fake Awards Exploiting a Prestigious Name
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Exclusive
The scam of selling fake Dadasaheb Phalke Awards is growing at an alarming rate. Several organizers are exploiting the prestigious name of Indian cinema to make money. Individuals like Kalyanji Jana, Krishna Chauhan, Kishore Rajput, Raju Tank, and Akhilesh Singh are running their own fabricated award ceremonies where an award can be “purchased” for anywhere between ₹2,000 to ₹1 lakh. Shockingly, these awards are often given to people who have no connection with the film or entertainment industry, turning them into nothing more than decorative trophies.
Fake PhDs Being Sold Alongside Fake Awards
Sprouts’ investigation has uncovered an even more shocking aspect of this scam—fake honorary PhD degrees are also being sold at these grand award functions. People can buy fraudulent doctorate degrees to gain false prestige and credibility in society.
Government Must Take Strict Action
The real Dadasaheb Phalke Award, conferred by the Government of India, is the highest honor in Indian cinema. However, these counterfeit awards have severely damaged its reputation. Sprouts demands that the government immediately ban these fraudulent award events and take strict action against those responsible.
Investigations have also revealed that fraudsters are now offering “combo deals”—buy a fake Phalke award and get a massive discount on a fake PhD. Some scammers have even started providing doorstep delivery services for these fraudulent awards.
Money Laundering Through Fake NGOs
Sprouts has exposed yet another major revelation—these fake awards and PhD degrees are being used for money laundering. Organizers register NGOs under the names of well-known personalities or non-existent institutions. After three years, they obtain 80G certification, allowing donors and award recipients to claim tax exemptions.
Through these NGOs, crores of rupees are transferred, with a portion of the money being returned in cash to the award recipients—a classic money laundering scheme disguised as a charitable activity.
Several people have misused the names of Dadasaheb Phalke and his wife, Saraswatibai Phalke, to spread this scam on a national level. Multiple NGOs have been registered under the Phalke name, turning this once-prestigious honor into a money-making racket.
Sprouts remains committed to exposing fraudulent activities and will continue its campaign for justice. The government must act swiftly to shut down these fake award ceremonies before they further tarnish the legacy of India’s true cinema legends.
Mumbai Police Unknowingly Received a Fake Dadasaheb Phalke Award
A shocking revelation has emerged—Kalyanji Jana, a notorious fraudster selling fake PhD degrees and bogus Dadasaheb Phalke Awards, tricked Mumbai Police officials into accepting his fake awards. Under the guise of a voluntary organization, he deceived an Assistant Commissioner and several Senior Inspectors by awarding them counterfeit honors.
Also Read: Javed Habib Relieved by Bombay High Court.
Fake Phalke Awards Deceiving the Public
Recently, Dolly the Chaiwalla, a simple roadside tea vendor, was honored with a Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award at a grand event in Dubai on June 24. On paper, this fake honor put him in the same league as cinema legends like Prithviraj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, and Amitabh Bachchan.
However, Sprouts’ investigation exposed the truth behind this fraudulent award. A close look at the award’s name reveals how fraudsters cleverly added the word “Icon” to make it appear similar to the real Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, conferred by the Government of India.
Prestigious Name in the Hands of Fraudsters
The real Dadasaheb Phalke Award is presented by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. However, the award received by Dolly the Chaiwalla was given by fraudster Kalyanji Jana, who, along with his team, is exploiting the Phalke name to sell fake awards. Not only are innocent people being deceived, but the credibility of Indian cinema’s most prestigious honor is also being severely compromised.