In a significant development, prominent Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has been taken into custody in connection with a major financial fraud case amounting to a staggering ₹30 crore. The arrest was executed through a coordinated effort between the Rajasthan Police and the Mumbai Police at a residence belonging to Bhatt's sister-in-law.
The Arrest and Immediate Proceedings
The law enforcement action marks a crucial turn in an investigation that has been unfolding for months. Following the arrest in Mumbai, the Rajasthan Police are set to approach the Bandra Court to obtain transit remand. This legal step is necessary to transport Vikram Bhatt to Udaipur for intensive questioning regarding the allegations.
This move comes after authorities had already escalated measures against the filmmaker and his associates. Prior to the arrest, a lookout notice had been issued not only for Vikram Bhatt but also for his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, and six other individuals linked to the case. The notice mandated their appearance before the Udaipur Police by December 8 and restricted their international travel without official clearance.
Roots of the ₹30 Crore Fraud Allegation
The case originated from a formal complaint lodged by Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of the renowned Indira IVF Hospital. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Bhupalpura Police Station in Udaipur, Dr. Murdia was persuaded to invest over ₹30 crore in a cinematic venture.
The filmmaker allegedly assured Dr. Murdia of potentially monumental profits, suggesting returns could soar as high as ₹200 crore. The project was presented as a biographical film honoring Dr. Murdia's late wife, with Vikram Bhatt reportedly taking full responsibility for its execution. Funds were allegedly requested in phases as the production advanced.
Key details from the FIR indicate that Bhatt mentioned his wife and daughter were involved as associates in the project. For this purpose, a company named VSB LLP was officially registered under Shwetambari Bhatt's name. The connection was facilitated through Dinesh Kataria, whom Dr. Murdia initially approached. Following Kataria's advice, a pivotal meeting occurred at Vrindavan Studio in Mumbai on April 25, 2023, where the concept of the biopic was discussed.
The film, eventually titled Tumko Meri Kasam and featuring actors Esha Deol and Anupam Kher, was released earlier this year. However, the dispute over the financial arrangements and promises made during its inception continued to simmer.
Bhatt's Defense and Counter-Allegations
In November, Vikram Bhatt publicly addressed the accusations in an interview with NDTV, vehemently denying any wrongdoing. He characterized the FIR as "misleading" and claimed that the police had been misinformed with incorrect details.
"It's obvious that he must have created some fabricated, forged documents. I don't know what exactly, but there must be something he used to convince the police," Bhatt stated, referring to Dr. Murdia. The filmmaker also launched a counter-allegation, claiming that Dr. Murdia abruptly halted the production of another film named Virat and failed to compensate the technicians working on it.
As of now, the investigation remains active and ongoing. The arrest of a well-known figure like Vikram Bhatt has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, highlighting serious concerns over financial dealings and trust within high-stakes production projects.
