Filmmaker Deepak Tijori cheated in fake film funding promise

Bollywood actor and filmmaker Deepak Tijori has filed a complaint with Bangur Nagar Police claiming that three individuals allegedly duped him Rs 5 lakh. They promised him financial backing for his upcoming film. The police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against the accused, identified as Kavita Shibagh Cooper, Fouzia Arshi, and another unidentified person, after the fraud was reported in Goregaon.

Deepak Tijori duped

Tijori is a well-known actor-director since the 1990s. He is best known for his debut film Aashiqui. The filmmaker had reportedly been working on the script of his new Hindi film named Tom, Dick and Mary since December 2024. Since he was looking for financial support for the project, a friend allegedly introduced him to the accused Kavita Cooper. Kavita claimed to be associated with T-Series.

The filmmaker met her and shared details about his project. She reportedly told him that she had strong connections within Zee Network and the media industry, while assuring him that she could facilitate funding for his film. It was later that Tijori learned that Kavita had resigned from T-Series.

Kavita then introduced him to Fouzia Arshi at Fouzia’s residence in Oshiwara in February 2025. Fouzia claimed to be a film producer and even said that she was soon launching an airline company. Fouzia claimed to have significant influence within Zee Network and told Tijori that she could arrange a “Letter of Interest” from the company, which would aid Tijori in securing investors for his film.

However, for obtaining this letter, Fouzia demanded Rs 5 lakh to be paid in two instalments of Rs 2.5 lakh each. To win his trust, Fouzia even arranged a phone call between Tijori and a man who introduced himself as Mr Joshi from Zee Network. Believing their claims, Tijori paid the first instalment of Rs 2.5 lakh.

Deepak Tijori files a complaint

Fouzia allegedly promised to give Tijori the letter within a week and even signed an agreement to that effect. However, even after the payment, they failed to deliver the promised document. Additionally, they also began avoiding Tijori’s calls and inquiries.

Sensing something wrong, Tijori independently verified the details only to discover that no individual named Joshi worked at Zee Network. He also realised that the women had allegedly used the names of reputed companies like T-Series and Zee Network to cheat him.

Consequently, Tijori approached the Bangur Nagar Police and filed a complaint. A case of cheating and misappropriation has been registered against Kavita Cooper, Fouzia Arshi, and their accomplice. Police informed that all three accused will soon be summoned for questioning, and suitable legal action will be taken after the investigation.