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‘I Almost Died There’: Vikram Bhatt Recalls Ordeal of 70 Days in Jail
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about the difficult 70 days he spent in Udaipur jail after being arrested in connection with a dispute related to a biopic on Indira Murdia, the late wife of Indira IVF founder Ajay Murdia.
Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Bhatt shared details about the friendships he formed in prison and the serious health challenges he faced during his time behind bars. He revealed that he was housed in a barrack with dozens of inmates, an experience that completely changed his perspective on people, social class, and human relationships.
Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Bhatt shared details about the friendships he formed in prison and the serious health challenges he faced during his time behind bars. He revealed that he was housed in a barrack with dozens of inmates, an experience that completely changed his perspective on people, social class, and human relationships.
“I was staying in a barrack with 60 to 80 people. But I saw a different India there. I discovered what friendship really means. They wouldn’t let me do anything. They would bring me my food and take care of my clothes. They called me Bhishma Pitamah. They would say, ‘Pitamah, just sit here and tell us a horror story.’ Every night, around 60 to 65 people would gather and ask me to narrate stories.”
Bhatt said the kindness he experienced extended beyond fellow inmates and included prison staff as well.
“Even when my health was bad, the constables and jail authorities were very supportive. People whom you might not expect to be kind were actually the kindest. I made some friends for life because they protected me with their lives. Two people would sleep on either side of me. No one could have harmed me. And I had done nothing for them. What they saw in me and why they cared so much for me, only God knows.”
“Even when my health was bad, the constables and jail authorities were very supportive. People whom you might not expect to be kind were actually the kindest. I made some friends for life because they protected me with their lives. Two people would sleep on either side of me. No one could have harmed me. And I had done nothing for them. What they saw in me and why they cared so much for me, only God knows.”
The filmmaker also spoke about the severe health issues he suffered while in jail. He revealed that he has axial spondyloarthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes chronic pain in the joints and muscles.
“I almost died there in jail. I suffer from an autoimmune condition. I have pain in my joints and muscles, and there you have to sleep on a mat on the floor. It was December and January, and it was extremely cold.”
“I almost died there in jail. I suffer from an autoimmune condition. I have pain in my joints and muscles, and there you have to sleep on a mat on the floor. It was December and January, and it was extremely cold.”
Bhatt further disclosed that he developed jaundice during his stay and repeatedly sought medical attention.
“I also got jaundice and kept telling the authorities to take me to a hospital. At night, I would get such high fever from the cold that the people in my barrack would give me their blankets. Even then, I would keep shivering. I told the authorities to take me to a hospital. They would say, ‘Tomorrow’ or ‘The day after.’ My cellmates would also tell them I was very ill. But they said they didn’t have enough guards and that security arrangements were needed.”
“I also got jaundice and kept telling the authorities to take me to a hospital. At night, I would get such high fever from the cold that the people in my barrack would give me their blankets. Even then, I would keep shivering. I told the authorities to take me to a hospital. They would say, ‘Tomorrow’ or ‘The day after.’ My cellmates would also tell them I was very ill. But they said they didn’t have enough guards and that security arrangements were needed.”
Fearing that he would not receive timely treatment, Bhatt decided to rely on a strict diet and faith to recover.
“Then I felt they were never going to take me. So I started doing what I had done earlier when I had jaundice. I stopped eating oily food completely and survived on gram, water, and fruits. Slowly, I began to recover. I prayed a lot and got in touch with my God because of this experience.”
“Then I felt they were never going to take me. So I started doing what I had done earlier when I had jaundice. I stopped eating oily food completely and survived on gram, water, and fruits. Slowly, I began to recover. I prayed a lot and got in touch with my God because of this experience.”
The filmmaker said the experience was both physically and emotionally challenging, but it also helped him develop a deeper understanding of humanity, friendship, and spirituality.
