Lucknow: A familiar screen cop for decades, Nana Patekar has worked with only one real police force for a public-awareness campaign: the Uttar Pradesh Police. The collaboration resulted in Scam Files: Digital Arrest, a 5.27-minute cyber-awareness film based on a real digital-arrest attempt in Kanpur.Unlike his police roles in films, Patekar plays a vigilant citizen who refuses to fall prey to cyber fraudsters. Directed by Raj Shandilya and scripted by IPS officer and DGP PRO Rahul Srivastava, the film has garnered nearly 1.90 crore views across platforms.A phone call that started it allSpeaking at an event in Lok Bhawan on Aug 14, 2026, Patekar said Srivastava, a friend, called him with a request to feature in a film aimed at educating people about the growing threat of digital arrests.After learning how fraudsters impersonate police officers and officials to dupe victims, Patekar decided to take up the project despite a packed schedule.For an actor known for portraying tough policemen, it was a role reversal. Instead of chasing criminals onscreen, he helped real police officers warn citizens about cyber criminals.‘Nana was the only actor who came to mind’Srivastava told TOI that he approached filmmaker Raj Shandilya to direct the project.“Nana was the only actor who came to mind,” he said.Getting him on board required quick coordination. When Srivastava contacted Patekar, the actor was travelling from Delhi to Mumbai and had only a day in the city before leaving for Pune. Despite the tight schedule, he agreed to shoot the next day.From ‘Ab tak Chhappan’ to ‘Scam Files’Known for films such as Ab Tak Chhappan and Yeshwant, Patekar built a strong screen image as a hard-nosed cop. Scam Files, however, cast him as an aware citizen confronting cyber fraud.A digital hitThe film has emerged as one of UP Police’s most-viewed awareness campaigns. On the force’s social-media platforms, it has recorded 24.89 lakh views and 57,600 likes, including 14 lakh views on YouTube, 8.1 lakh on Instagram, 1.76 lakh on X and 1.02 lakh on Facebook.Another 1.65 crore views came through other digital platforms, taking its total reach to around 1.90 crore views.UP Police is now planning another awareness project focused on artificial intelligence and its misuse in cybercrime.Will always be cherished, says DGPUP DGP Rajeev Krishna wrote on X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Padma Shri awardee Nana Patekar ji. His powerful and versatile performances enriched Indian cinema and touched generations of viewers. I remain grateful for his gracious presence at the Lucknow launch of UP Police’s short film ‘Scam Files: Digital Arrest,’ based on a real incident. His memorable performance in the film will always be cherished. Om Shanti.”
