Vikram Bhatt Faces Allegations of Non-Payment to 1920 Film Team
As filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt remain incarcerated in a Rs 30 crore cheating and criminal breach of trust case, new accusations have emerged regarding unpaid dues for the 2023 film 1920: Horrors of the Heart. Parag Chadha, the casting director for the project, has publicly alleged that Bhatt failed to clear 100% of his fees, sparking similar claims from other actors and crew members.
Casting Director Reveals Unpaid Fees and Industry Concerns
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Parag Chadha disclosed that his entire fee for the film is still pending, despite having email confirmations acknowledging the dues. "I have written this money off as bad debt. Speaking out is not about recovering it, it's about awareness," Chadha stated, explaining his reluctance to raise the issue earlier due to fears of impacting his livelihood. He also noted that multiple actors, some earning as little as Rs 6,000 per day, have not received their full payments and continue to wait for settlement.
Father of Debutant Actress Details Payment Shortfall
Vishwas Kulkarni, father of actor Ketaki Kulkarni, accused the makers of paying only Rs 1.5 lakh out of the promised Rs 2.6 lakh for his daughter's 26-day work on the film. "The remaining amount was promised but never paid," he said, describing the experience as "distressing" for Ketaki, who was 16–17 years old during her first project. Kulkarni emphasized that the film reportedly earned Rs 17–18 crore at the box office and later had an OTT release, yet payments were not cleared. "This was not a case of the film not earning money. Payments should have been cleared from that," he asserted.
Crew Members and Vendors Also Await Settlements
Additional reports from crew members reveal that several individuals from the direction and production teams, along with vendors, have not been paid. One crew member shared, "We were told the payment would be cleared after the OTT release, but later informed that there was no cash flow. I needed the money during Deepavali, but nothing came my way." He added pessimistically, "There is no hope now." Some crew members managed to secure payments by approaching industry associates, but others remain unpaid.
Background on the Film and Legal Context
1920: Horrors of the Heart was directed by Vikram Bhatt's daughter from his first marriage, Krishna Bhatt, and co-produced by Vikram Bhatt himself. The film starred Avika Gor and Rahul Dev in lead roles. These allegations surface as Bhatt faces legal troubles, with his current imprisonment related to a separate Rs 30 crore fraud case. The situation highlights ongoing issues of payment delays in the Bollywood industry, particularly for newcomers and lower-earning professionals.
