Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt Accused of Not Paying Film Crew

People are saying that filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has not paid some workers for his movie '1920: Horrors of the Heart'. The casting director and others say they are owed money. This comes as Mr. Bhatt is already dealing with other legal problems.
By Newsroom | Bollywood, India |

Claims of outstanding payments have surfaced from the casting director and crew of the film, adding to existing legal troubles for the director.

Growing Concerns Over Unpaid Wages

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, already facing legal scrutiny in a ₹30 crore fraud case, is now under fire for alleged non-payment of dues to the cast and crew of his film '1920: Horrors of the Heart'. These accusations come from multiple individuals, including the film's casting director, Parag Chadha, and parents of a child actor, highlighting a potential pattern of financial discrepancies. The allegations suggest that payments for work completed on the film have been withheld, raising serious questions about the production's financial conduct.

Vikram Bhatt accused of non-payment by 1920: Horrors of the heart casting director and crew - 1

The allegations of non-payment have become public in recent days, with Parag Chadha being the primary accuser. Chadha, a known professional in the industry, stated that despite repeated follow-ups, his professional fees and those of his team remain unpaid. These claims gained wider attention following Chadha's public posts on social media, including screenshots of his conversations with the production team.

Read More: Bollywood Stars Help Rajpal Yadav With Money

Concurrently, Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, are in judicial custody. Their bail pleas were recently rejected by the Rajasthan High Court in connection with a ₹30 crore cheating and criminal breach of trust case. This legal entanglement precedes the recent financial allegations regarding '1920: Horrors of the Heart'.

Vikram Bhatt accused of non-payment by 1920: Horrors of the heart casting director and crew - 2
Actor/IndividualAllegationSupporting Information
Parag Chadha (Casting Director)Full professional fees unpaid.Shared screenshots of conversations; stated repeated follow-ups yielded no response.
Ketaki Kulkarni (Child Actor)Partial payment and prolonged uncertainty.Parent Vishwas Kulkarni made the allegation.
Other Crew MembersAllegations of prolonged delays and incomplete payments.Multiple individuals have reportedly come forward with similar claims.
VendorsAllegations of non-payment.Mentioned in initial reports, though specific details are fewer.

Claims of Financial Discrepancies

Those coming forward with allegations point to the financial success of '1920: Horrors of the Heart' as a reason why dues should have been cleared. Reports indicate that the film earned approximately ₹17-18 crore at the box office, with additional revenue generated from its Over-The-Top (OTT) release. Despite this reported financial viability, several individuals claim they are still awaiting full or partial payment for their contributions to the film.

Read More: Indian Shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar Wins Gold

"The film earned Rs 17-18 cr. After its OTT release, the film earned money, yet the pending dues were still not cleared." - As reported by Indian Express.

Public Statements and Social Media Exposure

Parag Chadha has been vocal on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to draw attention to his situation. He expressed his weariness with private negotiations, which he claims have led nowhere. By sharing screenshots of his interactions with the directorial team, including mentions of Vikram Bhatt, director Krishna Bhatt, and the production house, Chadha aimed to expose what he described as the "dark reality of the movie industry."

Vikram Bhatt accused of non-payment by 1920: Horrors of the heart casting director and crew - 3

"Now there is no response at all." - Parag Chadha, as quoted by Hollywood Reporter India.

Other individuals, like Vishwas Kulkarni, father of child actor Ketaki Kulkarni, have also spoken out. Kulkarni stated that his daughter received only partial payment for her 26-day stint on the film, a situation he describes as leading to prolonged uncertainty.

Wider Industry Impact and Reaction

The allegations against Vikram Bhatt have elicited strong reactions from the public and industry observers. Social media platforms have seen users condemning the alleged withholding of payments, calling it a failure to acknowledge the hard work of the cast and crew. This situation brings into sharp focus the challenges faced by professionals in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning timely and complete remuneration. The cumulative effect of these allegations, alongside the ongoing fraud case, has intensified scrutiny on Vikram Bhatt and his production ventures.

Read More: Govinda's Wife Sunita Says He Had Many Affairs

Vikram Bhatt accused of non-payment by 1920: Horrors of the heart casting director and crew - 4

The current situation is compounded by Vikram Bhatt's ongoing legal battles. His detention in a ₹30 crore fraud case by the Rajasthan High Court indicates a serious legal challenge. The claims of non-payment for '1920: Horrors of the Heart' could potentially introduce further legal complexities and investigations into his financial dealings. While the specifics of the fraud case are separate, the recurring theme of financial impropriety casts a shadow over his professional reputation. The credibility of the allegations rests on the statements from multiple accusers and the documented evidence, such as the screenshots shared by Parag Chadha. The absence of a response from the production house, as indicated by the accusers, further amplifies the need for a thorough examination of these claims.

Conclusion and Potential Next Steps

The emerging allegations of unpaid dues for '1920: Horrors of the Heart' present a serious challenge for filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, adding to his existing legal predicaments. The consistent accounts from casting director Parag Chadha, actor Ketaki Kulkarni's father Vishwas Kulkarni, and other crew members paint a concerning picture of financial disputes. The reported box office earnings of the film further underscore the questions surrounding the withheld payments.

Read More: India Says US Trade Paper Changes Match What Was Agreed

Moving forward, these claims may necessitate:

  • Formal investigations into the financial records of the film's production.

  • Potential legal actions from the aggrieved parties seeking unpaid wages.

  • Increased pressure on Vikram Bhatt and his associates for clarification and resolution.

The outcome of these allegations could have significant implications for Vikram Bhatt's career and underscore the importance of financial transparency and timely compensation within the film industry.

Sources

Read More: Prakash Raj Joins Drishyam 3 Movie

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Vikram Bhatt accused of?
He is accused of not paying the people who worked on his movie '1920: Horrors of the Heart'. This includes the casting director and other crew members.
Q: Who is making these claims?
The casting director, Parag Chadha, and the parents of a child actor, Ketaki Kulkarni, are among those who have spoken out.
Q: Is this the only legal problem for Vikram Bhatt?
No, he is also in jail and facing charges in a separate case about a ₹30 crore fraud.
Q: Did the movie make money?
Yes, reports say the film '1920: Horrors of the Heart' did well at the box office and made money from online streaming.