Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about his 70-day stay in Udaipur jail following his arrest in an alleged ₹30-crore fraud case, describing the experience as physically and emotionally exhausting. Speaking about the period, Bhatt said his health deteriorated significantly while he was in custody and claimed that he came close to losing his life after developing jaundice alongside complications arising from an existing autoimmune condition.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Bhatt recalled that he shared a barrack with around 60 to 80 inmates. Despite the difficult circumstances, he said fellow prisoners extended support and helped him cope with daily life inside the jail. According to the filmmaker, inmates brought him food, looked after his clothes and affectionately referred to him as “Bhishma Pitamah”, often asking him to narrate horror stories at night.

Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, were arrested by Rajasthan Police in December 2025 in connection with allegations of financial fraud. The couple has denied wrongdoing, and the matter remains subject to legal proceedings.

Health Problems Worsened

Bhatt said his existing battle with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain in joints and muscles, became more severe during the winter months. He described struggling to sleep because prolonged pressure on either side of his body would trigger pain.

“I almost died there. I still don’t understand the politics involved, because people around me were good to me,” Bhatt said, adding that he developed jaundice during his stay in jail.

The filmmaker claimed that despite suffering from high fever and weakness, there was a delay in shifting him to a hospital. He said fellow inmates covered him with their blankets and looked after him while he repeatedly sought medical attention.

Support From Film Industry

After his release, Bhatt said several people from the film fraternity reached out to check on his well-being. He particularly mentioned veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty and Sanjay Dutt, saying their calls meant a great deal to him.

Bhatt noted that Sanjay Dutt’s concern was especially touching because the two had never worked together professionally. Referring to actor Akshay Kumar, he said he had no expectations because they did not share a close friendship.

Industry Bonds

The filmmaker also spoke about his long-standing friendship with Ajay Devgn, describing his call after the ordeal as natural given their decades-old relationship. According to Bhatt, every relationship has its own dynamics and it is unrealistic to expect identical responses from everyone.

Bhatt said the experience taught him valuable lessons about human relationships and compassion, adding that support often comes from unexpected places.

Career and Future Projects

Known for directing and producing films such as Raaz, 1920, Haunted 3D and Raaz 3, Vikram Bhatt remains one of Bollywood’s prominent names in the horror and thriller genre. His recent remarks have offered a rare glimpse into the personal challenges he faced during a turbulent chapter of his life.

The filmmaker has not publicly spoken about his future projects in detail, but his comments have generated widespread discussion among fans and members of the film industry.