Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt is once again at the centre of controversy, with a new allegation surfacing amid his ongoing legal troubles. A casting director associated with the 2023 horror film 1920: Horrors of the Heart has publicly claimed that several members of the film’s cast and crew are still awaiting their dues, years after the project wrapped up.
The accusation has added fuel to an already tense situation for Bhatt, who, along with his wife Shwetambari Bhatt, remains in judicial custody after being denied bail by the Rajasthan High Court in a separate ₹30 crore cheating and criminal breach of trust case.
🎥 Casting Director Alleges Long-Pending Dues
The latest claims come from casting director Parag Chadha, who has worked on several well-known Bollywood films in the past. Taking to social media, Chadha shared screenshots of alleged conversations with members of the film’s team, stating that repeated requests for payment have gone unanswered.
In his posts, he directly named 1920: Horrors of the Heart, director Krishna Bhatt, and producer Vikram Bhatt, alleging that payments owed to him and other artists involved in the film have not been cleared despite years of follow-ups.
According to Chadha, the situation pushed him to publicly speak out about what he described as the “dark reality” faced by many industry professionals when it comes to delayed or unpaid dues.
📢 Social Media Reaction and Industry Anger
Following the social media posts, online reaction has been swift and intense. Several users expressed anger over the alleged non-payment, calling out the makers for not compensating technicians and artists for their work. Many also questioned how such disputes continue to surface long after a film’s release.
As of now, there has been no official response from Vikram Bhatt, Krishna Bhatt, or the film’s production team regarding these specific allegations.
⚖️ Ongoing Legal Case Compounds the Situation
The controversy comes at a time when Vikram Bhatt is already facing serious legal challenges. In December last year, he and Shwetambari Bhatt were arrested by Rajasthan Police in connection with a case filed by Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre.
The complaint alleges that around ₹30 crore was misappropriated under the guise of film production. Along with the Bhatts, Udaipur-based Dinesh Kataria and Bhatt’s manager Mehboob Ansari were also arrested in the same case. The court has so far declined bail, citing the ongoing investigation.
🎞️ About 1920: Horrors of the Heart
Released in 2023, 1920: Horrors of the Heart starred Avika Gor in the lead role and was part of the long-running 1920 horror franchise. While the film generated curiosity among genre fans, it received mixed responses upon release.
The latest allegations have now brought the film back into public discussion — this time for reasons far removed from its on-screen horror elements.
⭐ Final Words
The fresh accusations of unpaid dues have added another troubling layer to Vikram Bhatt’s ongoing legal and professional challenges. While the claims made by the casting director remain allegations at this stage, they have sparked renewed debate about accountability, transparency, and fair compensation within the film industry. With investigations still underway and no official clarifications issued yet, all eyes are now on how the filmmakers respond — both legally and publicly — in the days ahead.
