Mumbai/Udaipur – In a big shock to the film world, well-known Bollywood director Vikram Bhatt was arrested on Sunday by a joint team of Mumbai and Rajasthan Police. The arrest is part of a fraud case worth more than Rs 30 crore. The complaint was filed by Dr Ajay Murdia, who started the famous Indira IVF hospital chain.
Police picked up Vikram Bhatt from his sister-in-law’s house in Ganga Bhawan Apartment on Yaari Road in Mumbai’s Andheri area. Rajasthan Police will now ask for transit remand from a Mumbai court to take him to Udaipur for more questioning.
The case started when Dr Ajay Murdia went to Bhupalpura police station in Udaipur and filed an FIR against Vikram Bhatt, his wife Shwetambari Bhatt, daughter Krishna Bhatt, and five other people. Dr Murdia says he was cheated in the name of making films and documentaries.
How the Whole Thing Started
Dr Ajay Murdia wanted to make a biopic film to remember his late wife. In April 2024, he met a man named Dinesh Kataria from Udaipur. Kataria said he knew big people in Bollywood and took Dr Murdia to Vrindavan Studio in Mumbai. There, Kataria introduced him to Vikram Bhatt.
According to the complaint, Vikram Bhatt promised to make four films and some documentaries. He said Dr Murdia would get huge profits – up to Rs 200 crore. Bhatt told the doctor that he, his wife, and daughter would handle everything, and Dr Murdia just had to send money.
Dr Murdia started sending money in parts. He paid more than Rs 30 crore. Some payments went directly, and some went to vendors suggested by Bhatt’s team. But later, police found many of these vendors were fake. Money from fake bills was sent to small shopkeepers or others, and then it reached Shwetambari Bhatt’s account.
Only a few projects moved forward. Two films were made, but Dr Murdia’s name was not given proper credit. One big film called Virat (earlier named something else) was stopped in the middle. The biopic on his late wife never started properly.
Dr Murdia says after he sent the money, Bhatt and his team stopped replying properly. When he asked for accounts or updates, he got no clear answer. Feeling cheated, he went to the police.
Udaipur Police SP Yogesh Goyal told reporters that a contract was signed for four films. Money came, but promises were not kept. Two films were completed without giving credit to the investor, and the biggest one never started.
What Happened Before the Arrest
The FIR was filed in November 2025. Soon after, police arrested two people connected to Bhatt – co-producer Mehboob Ansari and a vendor named Sandeep Trilokhan. They were questioned, and they told police that fake bills were made to take money from Dr Murdia. Part of the money went to fake vendors, and then to Shwetambari Bhatt’s account.
A lookout notice was issued against Vikram Bhatt, his wife, and others. They were told to join the investigation by December 8. When Bhatt did not come, police teams went to Mumbai and arrested him on Sunday.
Vikram Bhatt’s Side of the Story
Vikram Bhatt has strongly denied all charges. When the FIR was filed, he spoke to many news channels. He said, “I read the whole FIR. It is completely misleading. The police have been misguided because many things written there are wrong.”
He added, “Dr Murdia himself stopped the film Virat in the middle. Payments to workers and technicians are still pending – around Rs 2.5 crore or more. I have all emails and contracts to prove it.”
Bhatt also said the doctor stopped everything because his company was planning an IPO, and that affected the projects. He claimed some documents used in the complaint might be forged. “I am ready to cooperate fully with police and show all proof,” he said.
Even after arrest reports came, Bhatt’s side has maintained that he has done nothing wrong and this is a business dispute, not fraud.
Who is Vikram Bhatt?
Vikram Bhatt is a popular name in Bollywood. He was born in 1969 and comes from a film family – he is related to famous producer Mukesh Bhatt and director Mahesh Bhatt. He started assisting directors as a teenager.
He made many hit films like Ghulam (with Aamir Khan), Raaz, 1920, Haunted 3D (India’s first 3D horror film), Shaapit, and the Raaz series. He is known for horror and thriller movies. Recently, he directed Tumko Meri Kasam, which was based on Dr Ajay Murdia’s own life story and produced with his money.
Who is Dr Ajay Murdia?
Dr Ajay Murdia is a well-known doctor from Rajasthan. He started Indira IVF with very little money many years ago. Today, it is one of the biggest IVF chains in India, helping thousands of couples have babies. He named it after his late wife. Dr Murdia has produced films before, including Tumko Meri Kasam directed by Vikram Bhatt.
What Happens Next?
Rajasthan Police will take Vikram Bhatt to Udaipur. They are checking bank accounts, contracts, emails, and messages. More arrests can happen. The case is under sections of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy.
Many people in Bollywood are quiet about this. Fans are shocked because Vikram Bhatt has a long career with many superhit films.
This case shows how sometimes business deals in films go wrong and end up in court or police station. Police say they will find the full truth soon.
FAQs About Vikram Bhatt Arrest and Rs 30 Crore Fraud Case
Q: Why was Vikram Bhatt arrested?
A: He was arrested because of a complaint by Dr Ajay Murdia who says Bhatt and his team took more than Rs 30 crore for making films but did not complete the work properly or give credit. Police call it cheating and fraud.
Q: How much money is involved?
A: Dr Murdia says over Rs 30 crore, but some reports mention up to Rs 44 crore including all payments. Bhatt promised profits of Rs 200 crore.
Q: What films were supposed to be made?
A: Four films and some documentaries. One was a biopic on Dr Murdia’s late wife. Another big one was called Virat (or Ran/Maharana earlier). Only two were partly done.
Q: Has Vikram Bhatt said anything?
A: Yes, he says the complaint is wrong and misleading. He claims Dr Murdia stopped payments himself because of his company’s IPO plans, and workers are still waiting for money.
Q: Who else is named in the case?
A: Shwetambari Bhatt (wife), Krishna Bhatt (daughter), Dinesh Kataria, Mehboob Ansari (already arrested), and a few others like vendors and cine workers’ union people.
Q: Is this the first time Vikram Bhatt is in trouble?
A: No big criminal cases before, but he has had business ups and downs like many filmmakers.
Q: What will happen to Bhatt now?
A: He will go to court in Mumbai for transit remand, then to Udaipur. If police ask, he may get custody for questioning. Later, bail is possible.
Q: Can this affect Bollywood?
A: Such cases make investors careful. It shows film deals need clear contracts.