Police seek transit remand for Vikram Bhatt and wife in alleged multi-crore cheating case.
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, have been arrested in Mumbai in a ₹30 crore fraud case filed by Udaipur-based IVF clinic founder Dr. Ajay Murdia. Udaipur Police have initiated the process to secure a transit remand to bring the couple to Rajasthan for further interrogation.
Complaint Claims Biopic Promise Used to Lure Investment
The case began after Dr. Murdia approached Udaipur Police and filed a complaint stating that Bhatt and his associates convinced him to invest more than ₹30 crore in film projects. The key proposal involved a biopic based on his late wife, which the filmmaker reportedly assured would offer high returns and emotional value.
The agreement signed between the parties in 2024 focused initially on two films under a company registered in the name of Shwetambari Bhatt. The deal later expanded to four films with a revised cost estimated at ₹47 crore. According to the complaint, Dr. Murdia made large payments, with more than ₹42 crore spent overall, including direct transfers and vendor payments.
Dr. Murdia later alleged that many payments went to nonexistent vendors and inflated bills, raising concern that large amounts were diverted through fake documents rather than utilized for film production.
Arrest Followed Lookout Notice Issued Against the Couple
Police issued a lookout notice in November 2025 instructing Vikram and Shwetambari to appear before investigators by December 8 and restricting them from international travel without permission. When the couple failed to respond, officers from Rajasthan and Mumbai joined hands and arrested them from an Andheri residence.
The arrested duo completed medical examinations and appeared in court, where police sought transit remand to transfer them to Udaipur for continued investigation.
Authorities are now inspecting contracts, payment trails, invoices, and financial records linked to the films to determine whether fraud occurred. Other individuals named in the complaint may also be summoned for questioning.
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Vikram Bhatt Denies Charges
Vikram Bhatt has denied the allegations and claims the complaint misrepresents facts. He stated that the project stalled because funding stopped suddenly, which left outstanding dues for workers and technicians. He also claimed that the issue comes from a commercial dispute rather than a criminal act.
Bhatt expressed his willingness to cooperate with investigators and said he intends to present documents that support his defense.
The case has raised concerns within the entertainment sector about investor protection and transparency in high-value film financing deals. Experts believe such incidents highlight the risks faced by investors when projects involve complex budgets and promises of substantial returns.
Industry watchers say the outcome of this case could influence future film funding practices and shape how contracts and financial controls are structured between investors and producers.
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