Film Fraud Scandal: Two Arrested in ₹30 Crore Case Involving Vikram Bhatt

A high-profile fraud case linked to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has intensified after Rajasthan Police arrested his co-producer and a vendor in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore cheating case filed by Udaipur-based fertility specialist Dr Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira IVF chain.

Police say the two arrested men — co-producer Mehboob (Mahboob) Ansari and vendor Sandeep Vishwanath (also reported as Sandeep Trilobhan/Tribhuvan) — were picked up from Mumbai and brought to Udaipur, where a local court has remanded them to police custody for interrogation. The case stems from a complaint that large sums invested by Dr Murdia in multiple film projects were siphoned off through fake vendors instead of being used for production.

While arrests have been made in the supporting network, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his family members — also named in the FIR — have denied wrongdoing and maintain that the police are being misled. The investigation is ongoing, and no court has yet ruled on their individual culpability.

Doctor Alleges He Was Lured With Biopic and Multi-Film Deals

The case was registered at Bhupalpura police station in Udaipur following a detailed complaint by Dr Ajay Murdia. According to the FIR and subsequent media reports, he alleges that he was persuaded to invest heavily in a slate of four film projects, including a biopic inspired by his life and work at Indira IVF.

Investigators say the complainant was shown projections of potential profits of up to ₹200 crore if the projects were successfully produced and released. On the strength of these proposals, he is said to have transferred large amounts over time — estimates range from ₹30 crore referenced in the FIR to more detailed figures of over ₹40 crore cited in some reports, including about ₹25 crore earmarked for a film initially titled Maharana (later referred to as Ran), which allegedly never reached full-scale production.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Police say they are still reconciling the exact amounts and projects involved, but the broad allegation is that funds intended for film-making were diverted using a network of sham invoices and “friendly” vendors.

Arrests of Co-Producer and Vendor: Fake Vendor Trail Under Scanner

Superintendent of Police Yogesh Goyal confirmed that co-producer Mehboob Ansari and vendor Sandeep were arrested from Mumbai and transferred to Udaipur for questioning.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Both are among at least eight people named in the complaint alongside Vikram Bhatt, his wife Shwetambari (Shwetambari) Bhatt, daughter Krishna Bhatt, Udaipur-based intermediary Dinesh Kataria, Delhi associate Mudit Buttan, and industry representatives Gangeshwarlal Srivastava and Ashok Dubey of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Investigators allege that the accused used a network of small vendors — including individuals listed as painters, auto-rickshaw drivers and minor service providers — to generate more than two dozen fake bills. Each bill, typically around ₹2 lakh, was allegedly presented as production expenditure to justify transfers from entities linked to the complainant.

Police sources quoted in local media say that in many cases, around ₹1.4 lakh from these transactions was routed onwards to an account held by Shwetambari Bhatt, while the remainder stayed with the vendor or intermediary as commission.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} These flows are now being mapped through bank statements and digital evidence.

Role of Vendors and Intermediaries

Sandeep, the arrested vendor, is reported to have had a regular salary in the range of ₹60,000 per month but allegedly received payments of up to ₹2 lakh per bill routed through entities connected to the complainant’s business. Police say he would then retain a portion and transfer the bulk of the funds to accounts linked to the Bhatt camp.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Udaipur-based Dinesh Kataria is alleged to have played a key role in connecting the doctor to the film-making team and facilitating the investment arrangements. He has not yet been arrested and is believed to be under surveillance as police attempt to trace the full money trail across multiple bank accounts and cities, including Mumbai and Udaipur.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Vikram Bhatt’s Name in FIR and His Public Denial

The inclusion of filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, his wife and daughter in the FIR has drawn significant media attention far beyond Rajasthan. Bhatt, best known for his work in thrillers and the Raaz and 1920 horror franchises, has publicly denied the allegations.

In comments reported by national outlets, he has claimed that the police are being misled, asserting that he has not received any formal notice and that the facts outlined in the complaint distort the nature of his business dealings with the complainant.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Bhatt has indicated that he has contracts, emails and records to support his defence and has questioned why, if he had allegedly duped the doctor, films continued to be developed together over an extended period. His legal team has reportedly approached the Bombay High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail to guard against immediate arrest while he cooperates with the investigation.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Investigation Expands as Financial Trails Are Verified

Rajasthan Police and their counterparts in Mumbai are now combing through bank statements, invoices, email correspondence and contracts tied to the proposed film projects. The focus is on distinguishing legitimate production expenditure from transactions that may have served primarily to move funds away from the complainant’s control.

Officials say the probe is examining:

• Whether vendor invoices correspond to real work or fabricated services
• How much of the money ultimately landed in accounts linked to the accused
• Which of the promised films went into genuine development or production
• At what stage the complainant raised concerns and sought explanations

Depending on what is uncovered, more arrests cannot be ruled out. For now, police stress that all named individuals are under investigation and that guilt or innocence will be determined through the courts.

Alleged Fraud Highlights Risks in Film Financing

Beyond the personalities involved, the Udaipur case has reignited debate about how high-net-worth individuals are pitched film investments in India. Deals often blend personal relationships, informal assurances and complex revenue-sharing promises that can be difficult to verify after the fact.

Industry observers say the allegations underline the need for:

• Clear, enforceable contracts with transparent budgets and milestones
• Independent audits of vendor payments and production spending
• Better due diligence by investors on producers and intermediaries
• Greater use of escrow and monitored disbursements rather than lump-sum transfers

Until the courts decide this case, all accused, including Vikram Bhatt and his family, are legally presumed innocent. But the arrests and the scale of claimed losses have already made it a reference point in conversations about film finance risk and investor protection.

Shunyatax Global Editorial Note

At Shunyatax Global, we follow complex fraud and financial disputes not just for their celebrity headlines, but for what they reveal about deal structures, risk management and regulatory gaps across industries.

The Udaipur fraud allegations involving film projects, multiple vendors and cross-city money flows are a reminder that even creative sectors demand strong controls and transparent documentation.

For more coverage on financial crime, regulatory enforcement and high-value disputes across India and global markets, visit Shunyatax Global Services and explore our full range of governance, finance and legal analysis.