Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt Arrested in ₹30 Crore Cheating Case, ‘Haunted’ Trailer Launch in Doubt
A major shockwave rippled through the Indian media and entertainment industry on Sunday, December 7, with the arrest of acclaimed filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, in Mumbai. The arrest stems from a ₹30 crore cheating case initially registered in Rajasthan, casting a shadow over Bhatt’s upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated release of ‘Haunted – Ghosts Of The Past.’
According to reports from PTI, Udaipur-based Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies, alleges he was defrauded of ₹30 crores after being promised substantial returns of ₹200 crores. The alleged scheme involved multiple film projects that ultimately failed to materialize.
The arrests were the result of a coordinated operation between the Udaipur and Mumbai police, with the couple apprehended from Yari Road, Andheri, as reported by the Times of India. Following their appearance before a magistrate in Mumbai, the couple was granted a two-day transit remand to facilitate their transfer to Udaipur for further investigation.
In a surprising turn, sources revealed that Bhatt requested to travel to Udaipur in his personal Mercedes-Benz vehicle, citing the lengthy 15-16 hour road journey. However, the court denied this request, and Bhatt was transported by vehicles provided by the Udaipur Police.
The unfolding situation has now placed a question mark over the promotional plans for ‘Haunted – Ghosts Of The Past.’ An industry insider indicated that the planned trailer launch on December 19 is now uncertain. “Vikram Bhatt had planned to launch the trailer of ‘Haunted – Ghosts Of The Past’ on December 19,” the insider stated. “Thanks to this sudden development, it now remains to be seen if he’s able to come out of it in the next 11 days and go with the event as planned.”
The release of ‘Haunted – Ghosts Of The Past’ was previously postponed from November 21, 2025, to January 30, 2026, after Bhatt reshot portions of the film due to criticism of the visual effects in the initial teaser.
The roots of the case trace back to August 12, 2024, when Bhatt announced a collaboration with Dr. Murdia’s Indira Entertainment at a high-profile event in Mumbai. The event, attended by prominent figures including Mahesh Bhatt, Anupam Kher, Esha Deol, Adah Sharma, and Ishwak Singh, saw the launch of four films: the historical drama ‘Rann,’ the wildlife thriller ‘Viraat,’ and romantic films ‘Tu Meri Puri Kahaani’ and ‘Tumko Meri Kasam.’ Suhitra Das was slated to direct ‘Tu Meri Puri Kahaani,’ while Bhatt was to helm the remaining three projects.
‘Tumko Meri Kasam,’ inspired by Dr. Murdia’s wife’s life, was the first film to release, debuting on March 21, 2025, followed by ‘Tu Meri Puri Kahaani’ on September 26. ‘Rann’ and ‘Viraat’ are currently slated for release in 2026.
According to Hindustan Times, the alleged fraud began when Dr. Murdia was introduced to film producer Dinesh Katariya, who proposed a biopic of Murdia’s wife. In April 2024, Murdia was brought to Vrindavan Studio in Mumbai and subsequently met with Vikram Bhatt. An agreement was reportedly reached where Bhatt would oversee the filmmaking process, with Murdia providing the necessary funding.
Udaipur superintendent of police Yogesh Goyal told Hindustan Times that a contract worth ₹40 crores was executed for two films, ‘Biopic’ and ‘Maharana.’ Between May 2024 and June 2025, Murdia reportedly made payments totaling ₹30 crores to Bhatt and associated vendors. The alleged deception came to light when Bhatt and his associates ceased communication, prompting Murdia to file a complaint on November 8.
Vikram Bhatt and seven others, including his daughter Krishna Bhatt, have been charged under Sections 318 (cheating), 316 (criminal breach of trust), 336 (forgery), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is ongoing, and the future of ‘Haunted – Ghosts Of The Past’ and other projects remains uncertain as the legal proceedings unfold.
