Veteran actor Nana Patekar has joined forces with director Raaj Shaandilyaa to create a short film aimed at raising awareness about cybercrime and online fraud. This collaboration comes as a response to the increasing prevalence of digital scams, particularly those involving "digital arrest," where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to intimidate victims into transferring money.
The initiative is backed by the Uttar Pradesh Police, with the script written by ASP Rahul Srivastava, spokesperson for the UP Police, drawing from real-life policing experiences and common cybercrime methods. The film is based on an incident in Kanpur, where a citizen cleverly outsmarted cybercriminals attempting a "digital arrest" scam. The short film mirrors this event, with Patekar portraying a cautious citizen who refuses to panic when faced with a threatening call. He calmly explains that "digital arrest" has no legal basis in India, highlighting that fear is a cybercriminal's primary weapon.
Shaandilyaa, known for directing films like Dream Girl and Dream Girl 2, directs the 5 minute and 27 second film. The director also mentioned that he and Patekar have considered collaborating on a feature film in the future. Actress Leena Sharma plays Patekar's wife, while Kishore Soni portrays the cyber fraudster posing as a police inspector, and Adil Irani plays a genuine police officer.
The film aims to educate the public about how cybercriminals operate and how to protect themselves, emphasizing that threatening phone calls, video calls, or demands for online payments are clear indicators of cyber fraud. UP Police officials have stressed that the film's purpose is to spread awareness, not fear, and that timely reporting and awareness are the most effective tools in combating cybercrime.
The short film will be screened in cinema halls across Uttar Pradesh to maximize public reach. It has also been released on all official Uttar Pradesh Police social media platforms and will be utilized in future awareness campaigns. This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directives to strengthen cybercrime prevention throughout the state, with DGP Rajeev Krishna prioritizing cybercrime awareness and prevention within the Uttar Pradesh Police. The collaboration between Nana Patekar and Raaj Shaandilyaa seeks to empower citizens with the knowledge and confidence to recognize and resist cyber fraud attempts.
