The glittering facade of Bollywood has been shaken once again as filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, already embroiled in a massive legal battle, faces fresh allegations of financial misconduct. While Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, remain behind bars following the Rajasthan High Court’s refusal to grant them bail in a ₹30 crore cheating case, a new voice has emerged from the production trenches. Casting director Parag Chadha has publicly accused the filmmaker and his team of failing to pay the cast and crew for the 2023 horror flick, 1920: Horrors of the Heart.
A Public Outcry Against the “Dark Reality”
Parag Chadha, a seasoned industry professional known for his work on hits like Ek Tha Tiger and Band Baaja Baaraat, took to Instagram to voice his frustrations. Weary of private negotiations
that led nowhere, Chadha shared screenshots of conversations with the directorial team, explicitly naming Vikram Bhatt, director Krishna Bhatt, and the production house.
Chadha’s posts highlighted a grueling struggle for compensation that has allegedly spanned years. He claimed that despite repeated follow-ups regarding payments for himself and his talent—including lead actress Avika Gor’s ensemble—the responses remained elusive or non-existent. By exposing these chats, Chadha aimed to reveal what he termed the “dark reality of the movie industry,” where the “limits” of patience are tested by those at the top.
Legal Woes and Financial Misappropriation
These allegations arrive at the worst possible time for the Bhatt family. Vikram and Shwetambari were arrested in Mumbai last December and transported to Udaipur following a complaint by Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF. Murdia alleged that the couple, along with associates Dinesh Kataria and Mehboob Ansari, misappropriated ₹30 crore intended for film production, leading to charges of criminal breach of trust.
The refusal of bail by the Rajasthan High Court underscores the gravity of the investigation. As the court maintains their judicial custody, the public sentiment has turned increasingly hostile. Fans and industry peers alike have expressed fury on social media, shaming the production team for allegedly withholding the hard-earned money of the crew while facing massive fraud charges elsewhere. For an industry built on dreams, the unfolding nightmare for the 1920 crew serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those behind the scenes.
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