Nana Patekar turns the tables on cyber crooks in UP Police short film

In an effort to strengthen public awareness around cyber fraud, the Uttar Pradesh Police has released a 5.27-minute cyber awareness short film titled Scam Files, featuring veteran actor Nana Patekar. Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa also known for directing films like Dream Girl and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, the short film also stars Leena Sharma, Kishore Soni, and Adil Irani, and draws from a recent “digital arrest” scam reported in Kanpur.‘Actor lauds UP police’s creative approach to cyber safety’ Speaking about the collaboration and the growing need for cyber awareness, veteran actor Nana Patekar, who plays the role of an alert citizen, said, “Today, the first line of defence isn’t a lock on the door, it’s clarity in the mind. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Uttar Pradesh Police for taking cyber awareness to the masses through both conventional outreach and creative storytelling. This is exactly the kind of action India needs to stay safer online.” A staggering ₹52,976 crore has been lost to cyber frauds in India over the past six years. — The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre‘Awareness drive to expand with expert-led cyber safety podcasts’ Speaking about the initiative, Rahul Srivastava, Additional SP and PRO to DGP, who wrote the script of the film, said, “In the past, we have collaborated with other top-notch stars on awareness films, and we plan to work with more celebrities in the future, as they have a significant reach. These initiatives are part of a broader campaign to educate the public, prevent cyber fraud, and empower citizens to stay alert in the digital space. Alongside films, we are also producing podcasts with cyber experts in 2026 to further spread awareness and provide actionable guidance to citizens. Through these efforts, we aim to create a safer, more informed digital environment across the state.” ‘Star power used to amplify message across age groups and regions’ Sharing an anecdote from the filming, Rahul Srivastava said the process was as intensive as making a feature film.”The short film was shot last year in June, across two locations, Mumbai and Kanpur, and took several days to complete. We had to reshoot some sequences with another actor for a scene featuring the police officer, because he had quite a noticeable Marathi accent that did not sound right for our audience in the north. Then it took some time to rope in Nana Patekar who graciously immediately said yes to doing the film. Choosing a Bollywood actor of his stature helps the message reach citizens across all demographics,” says Srivastava. Inspired by a real-life cyber fraud case in Kanpur The short film recreates how an alert citizen successfully thwarted a fraud attempt carried out under the guise of a so-called “digital arrest,” using storytelling to highlight the risks posed by emerging cyber scams. Highlighting the importance of awareness, Rajeev Krishna, DGP Uttar Pradesh said, “We participated online in 11 zonal-level cyber awareness workshops, through which more than one lakh citizens were sensitised about emerging cyber crime methods, preventive measures, and necessary precautions.” He went on to add, “Most cyber crimes stem from four core factors: greed, negligence, addiction, and fear. Public awareness, timely action, and creative outreach remain the strongest tools to prevent such offences. In the event of a cyber crime, it is crucial to report the incident immediately through the 1930 Cyber Helpline to ensure swift action and protection.” UP Police cybercrime data at a glance Uttar Pradesh Police data shows 87,850 cybercrime cases registered from 2017 to mid-December 2025. Investigations were completed in over 75,000 cases, with action taken against 53,000+ accused.In 2025 alone, the police froze ₹325.25 crore in cyber fraud, though the exact number of cases for the year has not yet been released by the NCRB.Nearly 88,000 cybercrime cases registered since 2017 Cumulative figures released by the police show that between 2017 and mid-December 2025, a total of 87,850 cybercrime cases were registered across Uttar Pradesh. Investigations were completed in 75,272 cases, while action was initiated against 53,639 accused. During this period, police were able to recover ₹382.25 crore from the total amount cheated through various forms of cyber fraud. Police data further indicates that the ₹325.25 crore frozen in 2025 alone pertains to cases in which victims promptly lodged complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting (NCR) portal and the 1930 cybercrime helpline.-Amina Ashraf