Vikram Bhatt, the renowned filmmaker, spent 70 days in jail after being arrested in connection with a dispute over a proposed biopic on Indira Murdia, the wife of IVF founder Ajay Murdia. Along with his wife Shwetambari, he faced allegations of a Rs 30 crore fraud. In a recent interview, Bhatt opened up about the harrowing experience, revealing that he nearly died behind bars.
Unexpected Bonds Behind Bars
Despite the grim circumstances, Bhatt spoke about the surprising warmth and support he received from fellow prisoners. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, he shared, "I was staying in a barrack with 60 to 80 people. But I saw a different India there. I discovered what friendship really means. They wouldn’t let me do anything. They would bring me my food and take care of my clothes. They used to call me Bhishma Pitamah. They would say, ‘Pitamah, just sit here and tell us a horror story.’ Every night, around 60 to 65 people would gather and ask me to narrate stories."
Bhatt emphasized that the compassion extended beyond inmates. Prison officials and constables also supported him when his health deteriorated. He said, "Even when my health was bad, the constables and jail authorities were very supportive. People whom you might not expect to be kind were actually the kindest. I made some friends there for life because they protected me with their lives. Two people would sleep on either side of me. No one could have harmed me. And I had done nothing for them. What they saw in me and why they cared so much for me, only God knows."
A Refresher Course on India
The filmmaker explained that his time in jail exposed him to perspectives far removed from the film industry's bubble. For him, those interactions became a valuable learning experience. "When you’re inside with these people, who else are you going to talk to? If you don’t become friends with them, then with whom will you? For me, it was an opportunity to reconnect with an India I had lost touch with. This is the India that watches our films. I got to meet that India again. It was like a refresher course for me, understanding how they think, what they believe in, and even how they react to ghost stories. These are the people who go to the theatres and watch our movies."
Severe Health Complications
However, the period was also marked by severe physical suffering. Bhatt revealed that he suffers from axial spondyloarthritis, an autoimmune condition causing chronic pain in joints and muscles. Sleeping on the floor during the cold winter months significantly worsened his condition. "I almost died there in jail. I suffer from an autoimmune condition. I have pain in my joints and muscles, and there you have to sleep on a mat on the floor. It was December and January, and it was extremely cold."
His health deteriorated further when he contracted jaundice while in custody. Bhatt recalled repeatedly asking authorities to arrange medical treatment as his condition worsened. "I also got jaundice and kept telling the authorities to take me to a hospital. At night, I would get such high fever from the cold that the people in my barrack would give me their blankets. Even then, I would keep shivering. I told the authorities to take me to a hospital. They would say, ‘Tomorrow’ or ‘The day after.’ My cellmates would also tell them that I was very ill. But they said they didn’t have enough guards and that security arrangements were required."
Eventually, convinced that hospital treatment was unlikely to arrive in time, Bhatt decided to take matters into his own hands through dietary discipline and faith. "Then I felt they were never going to take me. So I started doing what I had done earlier when I had jaundice. I stopped eating oily food completely and survived on gram, water and fruits. Slowly, I began to recover. I prayed a lot and got in touch with my God because of this experience."
Support from the Film Fraternity
Following his release, Bhatt received calls from several people within the film industry, some of whom surprised him. "Mithun da called me up, some people did call me. Sanjay Dutt called me even though I have never worked with him. I thanked him for it." When asked whether Akshay Kumar had contacted him, despite their professional collaborations, Bhatt responded candidly: "Why would he call me? He is not my friend." He also spoke about his long-standing bond with Ajay Devgn, explaining why the actor’s call meant something different. "He called because he is my childhood friend. Every relationship is different. How can you impose such expectations on everyone? It is not logical to expect that."
Background of the Case
Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, were arrested in December 2025 after a dispute related to a proposed biopic on Indira Murdia. According to the FIR, Ajay Murdia had met Bhatt in Mumbai in April 2024 to discuss a film based on his late wife's life as well as another potential historical war project. The complaint alleged that disagreements over financial matters later emerged between the parties, ultimately leading to legal action. The couple was granted bail in February 2026.
