Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about his 70-day incarceration, the legal battle surrounding a proposed biopic, and why he does not resent mentor Mahesh Bhatt for staying silent during his ordeal. Bhatt was arrested in December 2025 along with his wife, Shwetambari, in connection with an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case linked to a biopic on IVF founder Ajay Murdia's late wife, Indira Murdia.
The Allegations and Legal Proceedings
According to the FIR, Ajay Murdia met Bhatt in Mumbai in April 2024 to discuss a film based on his late wife's life and a historical war project. Financial disagreements later emerged, leading to legal action. Vikram and Shwetambari were granted bail in February 2026. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Vikram dismissed the allegations as baseless.
"All I can say is that it is nonsense. The chargesheet couldn't prove anything. It's the most bizarre chargesheet," he said. The filmmaker added that since the matter is before the court, he prefers to let the judicial process speak for him. "I understand that no matter what I say today, people will say, 'Of course he'll say that. He'll defend himself.' So I want the court to defend me. I have faith that the truth will come out." He further remarked, "Those who know me won't believe it. Those who believe it probably don't know me."
Lessons in Relationships
Reflecting on his arrest, Vikram said the experience taught him valuable lessons about relationships. While some industry people reached out, a few college friends still believe he is guilty. "Some people did call me. But there are some very close friends from college who believe that I did this and don't speak to me anymore," he said. "Bad times tell you who really knows you and who doesn't." He also dismissed the notion of the film industry as one united family. "People talk about unity in the industry. Why should there be unity? We're not a cricket team. Which industry is one big unit? Every human being is for himself. That's something I learnt after going to jail."
On Mahesh Bhatt's Silence
When asked if he expected Mahesh Bhatt to publicly support him, Vikram responded clearly: "No. I never felt that anybody needed to come out and say anything for me." He added that he prefers to give people the benefit of the doubt. "I know. But maybe he had reasons for keeping quiet. Maybe by keeping quiet, he was helping me. Maybe he felt that if he spoke, my troubles would increase. Maybe it would provoke the people who had trapped me and make things worse." He concluded, "I am only going to look at the good side of people. I'm not going to look at the negative side."
Spiritual Enlightenment in Jail
Vikram credited spirituality and faith for helping him survive the difficult period. "I believe in God. Right now I can't talk about everything, but the way I came through it was a miracle. It was all God," he said. The filmmaker revealed profound spiritual experiences while incarcerated. "I've had some fantastic spiritual enlightenment inside." Sharing a key lesson, he added, "No matter how much power, money or strength someone has, if you have God, nobody can touch you."
Remembering Fellow Inmates
Although Vikram said he doesn't carry trauma from his time in prison, he often thinks about the inmates he met. "Not trauma. But I remember the people. Sometimes I wonder what they're doing. Some of them are still in jail. Some still haven't got bail. Like me, there are many innocent people there." He added, "What is there to remember about jail? It's just four walls. But the people stay with you." Vikram also revealed unexpected bonds formed during incarceration. "They gave me a kind of love that was very real," he said, recalling how fellow inmates ensured nobody smoked around him because of his asthma.
