‘Dispute essentially pertains to a commercial transaction’: Supreme Court grants bail to Vikram Bhatt, wife in cheating case; orders mediation

Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari V Bhatt, were arrested in December 2025, in connection with an FIR lodged at Bhupalpura Police Station in Udaipur on November 8 over a dispute regarding the making of the biopic on the life of Murdia’s late wife, Indira. Murdia is the founder of Indira IVF in Udaipur.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Murdia, said Bhatt’s company is in financial difficulty, and “he is asking money based on his past reputation, people are giving money, and he is using the money in his own company, which is going into liquidation.”

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, representing the Bhatts, said that, under the contract, 4 films were agreed upon, of which 2 have already been completed, and the third is 70 per cent complete. Dave added that Bhatt cannot complete the film if he is kept in custody.

In his complaint, which led to the FIR, Murdia alleged large-scale financial and contractual fraud by the film director and others.

According to the FIR, Murdia met Bhatt in Mumbai on April 25, 2024. Murdia claimed that he spoke to Bhatt about the film project, which would showcase his wife’s life and his work in infertility treatment across India.

In addition, a separate film project based on a historical war narrative was planned. He said they entered into some agreements, but subsequently, their relationship soured as disputes over funds arose.

On February 13, the court had given interim bail to Shwetambari.