Vikram Bhatt was arrested in a joint operation by Rajasthan Police and Mumbai Police. (Photo: X)
Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has been arrested by a joint team of Rajasthan Police and Mumbai Police in connection with a ₹30 crore fraud case. The director was reportedly taken into custody from his sister-in-law’s house in Mumbai’s Yaari Road area. This comes after weeks of escalating investigations surrounding allegations made by Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF Hospital, who claims to have been defrauded in a high-profile film project.
According to the FIR filed at Bhupalpura Police Station, Udaipur, Dr. Murdia alleges that Vikram Bhatt, along with his wife Shwetambari Bhatt and six others, lured him into investing over ₹30 crore in a proposed film project. The film, intended as a biopic honoring Dr. Murdia’s late wife, was promised to generate profits of up to ₹200 crore.
Dr. Murdia claims he was introduced to Vikram Bhatt by Dinesh Kataria at Vrindavan Studio, Mumbai, on April 25, 2024, where the idea of the biopic was discussed. According to the complaint, Vikram Bhatt and the team made assurances about high returns, but the film allegedly stalled midway, and payments were not cleared.
Prior to his arrest, Bhatt had publicly dismissed the claims, stating that the FIR contained misleading information. Speaking to NDTV, he said:
“The police have been completely misguided. The things written in the FIR are absolutely wrong. Something ‘forged’ has been created to trap me and seven others in this case.”
Bhatt further claimed that the movie was halted by Dr. Murdia, and he did not receive the remaining payments, contradicting the allegations of fraud.
Apart from Vikram and his wife, the FIR mentions several other accused individuals, including:
Dinesh Kataria – the intermediary who introduced Dr. Murdia to Bhatt
Mehboob Ansari – producer
Mudit Bhutattan
Ashok Dubey
Gangeshwar Lal Srivastava
Bhatt’s daughter, Krishna
The Udaipur Police had earlier issued a lookout notice against the accused, restricting their international travel without prior permission and summoning them to court on 8 December 2025.
Vikram Bhatt’s arrest was carried out jointly by Mumbai Police and Rajasthan Police, with plans for transit remand to take him from Bandra Court, Mumbai, to Udaipur for further investigation. The arrest marks a significant escalation in what has been a high-profile legal battle, drawing attention to financial disputes in Bollywood film projects.
Officials confirmed that the case is being treated seriously due to the substantial financial amount involved and the multiple high-profile names listed in the FIR.
The case highlights the growing scrutiny over financial dealings in the Indian film industry, especially when involving large investments in biographical or tribute films. With the ₹30 crore allegation and potential profits of ₹200 crore at stake, the matter has caught media and public attention, further complicated by Bhatt’s high-profile status as a filmmaker.
Industry experts note that disputes over film financing, agreements, and alleged fraud are not uncommon in Bollywood, but arrests of prominent directors remain rare, making this case particularly significant.
The legal proceedings will continue in Udaipur, where police will investigate the claims in detail. Vikram Bhatt and the other accused are expected to face charges of cheating and fraud, with courts determining the legitimacy of the claims and whether criminal intent was involved.
Meanwhile, the case has sparked discussions in Bollywood about transparency in film financing and the responsibilities of filmmakers toward investors.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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