Film maker Vikram Bhatt He talks about the legal issues that landed him in jail for 70 days, the people who stood by him and why he doesn’t hold any grudges against his mentor and filmmaker. Mahesh Bhatt for not speaking publicly in his defense.Vikram Bhatt spent 70 days in jail after being arrested in connection with a controversy surrounding a biopic on IVF founder Ajay Murdia’s late wife, Indira Murdia. The filmmaker and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, were booked in an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. The pair were arrested in December 2025 following a dispute over the proposed biopic.According to the FIR, he met Ajay Murdia Bhatt in Mumbai in April 2024 to discuss a film based on his wife’s life, along with another possible historical war project. The complaint alleged that financial disagreements later arose between the parties, which ultimately led to litigation. Vikram and Shwetambari were granted bail in February 2026.Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Vikram addressed the allegations against him and said that the allegations were baseless.
“The charge sheet failed to prove anything”
When asked about the cheating allegations, Vikram completely denied the claims.“All I can say is that it is nonsense. The charge sheet could not prove anything. It is the strangest charge sheet,” he said.The filmmaker added that since the case is before the court, he prefers to let the judicial process speak for him.“I understand that no matter what he says today, people will say, ‘Of course he’s going to say that. He’s going to defend himself.’ So I want the court to defend me. I have faith that the truth will come out.”Vikram further said, “People who know me won’t believe it. People who do believe probably don’t know me.”
“Some of my college friends think I did”
Reflecting on the aftermath of his arrest, Vikram said the experience taught him valuable lessons about relationships.While some people in the industry reached out to him, he revealed that some of his friends from his college days still think he is guilty.“Some people called me. But they are very close friends from the university who think I did that and they don’t talk to me anymore,” he said.“Bad times tell you who really knows you and who doesn’t.”The filmmaker also dismissed the notion that the film industry functions as a joint family.“People talk about unity in industry. Why should there be unity? We’re not a cricket team. What industry is one big unit? It’s every man for himself. That’s something I learned after going to prison.”
Vikram Bhatt on Mahesh Bhatt’s silence
During the interview, Vikram was asked if he expected Mahesh Bhatt to publicly contribute to the controversy, given their long professional association.His answer was clear.“No. I never felt like anyone had to say anything for me.”When asked if he wished Mahesh Bhatt had at least spoken a few words on his behalf, Vikram said he preferred to give people the benefit of the doubt.“I know. But maybe she had reasons to be quiet. Maybe by keeping quiet, she was helping.”He elaborated further, saying, “Maybe he felt that if he spoke, my problems would only get worse. Maybe the people who caught me would tease me and make things worse.’“I will only look at the good side of people. I will not look at the negative side.”
‘If you have God, no one can touch you’
Vikram also credited spirituality and faith for helping him survive one of the most difficult times in his life.“I believe in God. I can’t talk about everything right now, but the way I got out of there was a miracle. It was all God,” he said.The filmmaker revealed that he had profound spiritual experiences while incarcerated.“I have had fantastic spiritual clarity within.”Sharing one of the biggest lessons from the experience, he added, “No matter how much power, money or strength someone has, if you have God, no one can touch you.”
“I think about the people inside”
Although Vikram says he does not carry the trauma of prison, he admitted that he often thinks about the inmates he met there.“Not trauma. But I remember people.”“Sometimes I wonder what they’re doing. Some are still in prison. Some still haven’t gotten warranty. Like me, there are many innocent people there.’He added: “What is there to remember about prison? It’s just four walls. But people stay with you.”Vikram also revealed that he formed unexpected bonds during his imprisonment.“They gave me a kind of love that was very real,” he said, recalling that fellow inmates would make sure no one smoked around him because of his asthma.
