Vikram Bhatt breaks silence on Mahesh Bhatt not defending him during jail stint in Rs 30 crore fraud case: ‘Maybe he was helping me’ |
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about the legal troubles that landed him in jail for 70 days, the people who stood by him, and why he harbours no resentment towards mentor and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt for not publicly speaking in his defence.Vikram Bhatt was in jail for 70 days after being arrested in connection with a dispute surrounding a proposed biopic on IVF founder Ajay Murdia’s late wife, Indira Murdia. The filmmaker and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, were accused in an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. The couple was arrested in December 2025 after a dispute related to the proposed biopic.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, along with another potential historical war project. The complaint alleged that financial disagreements later emerged between the parties, ultimately leading to legal action. Vikram and Shwetambari were granted bail in February 2026.Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Vikram addressed the allegations against him and maintained that the accusations were baseless.
‘The chargesheet couldn’t prove anything’
Asked about the fraud allegations, Vikram dismissed the claims outright.“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 would rather 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.”Vikram further remarked, “Those who know me won’t believe it. Those who believe it probably don’t know me.”
‘Some college friends think I did it’
Reflecting on the aftermath of his arrest, Vikram said the experience taught him valuable lessons about relationships.While some people from the industry reached out to him, he revealed that a few friends from his college days 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.”The filmmaker also dismissed the notion that the film industry functions 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.”
Vikram Bhatt on Mahesh Bhatt’s silence
During the conversation, Vikram was asked whether he expected Mahesh Bhatt to publicly support him during the controversy, considering their long professional association.His response was clear.“No. I never felt that anybody needed to come out and say anything for me.”When asked if he wished Mahesh Bhatt had at least said a few words in his support, Vikram said he preferred 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.”He elaborated further, saying, “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.”“I am only going to look at the good side of people. I’m not going to look at the negative side.”
‘If you have God, nobody can touch you’
Vikram also credited spirituality and faith for helping him survive one of the most difficult periods of his life.“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 that he underwent profound spiritual experiences while incarcerated.“I’ve had some fantastic spiritual enlightenment inside.”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, nobody can touch you.”
‘I think about the people still inside’
Although Vikram said he doesn’t carry trauma from his time in prison, he admitted that he often thinks about the inmates he met there.“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 that he formed unexpected bonds during his incarceration.“They gave me a kind of love that was very real,” he said, recalling how fellow inmates would ensure nobody smoked around him because of his asthma.
