Top News

In the glittering world of Bollywood, success often looks effortless from the outside. But filmmaker Vikram Bhatt reveals a startling truth from his early days: even while directing superstar Aamir Khan and dating Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, he was brutally broke. In a candid interview, Siddharth Kannan Bhatt opens up about a mid-1990s phase where professional high points clashed with personal financial despair. He lived like a "fakira," without money for basic needs, despite surrounding himself with cinema's elite. How did a struggling director navigate love with a global icon while unable to buy a CD? Bhatt's raw recollection of those "broke days" offers a haunting glimpse behind Bollywood's glamorous facade.

Vikram Bhatt And Sushmita Sen’s Relationship

Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen met on the sets of Dastak (1996), her debut film, while Bhatt worked as an assistant to director Mahesh Bhatt. Despite their growing relationship and industry presence, Bhatt's finances remained unstable. He recalled, "I was a struggling director. Mere paas zeher khane ke paise nahi the (I did not have money to consume poison). I was directing Aamir Khan and dating Miss Universe, so to speak, but I had no money. I was broke. I remember I didn't even have the money to buy a CD. I've lived life like a fakira".

The couple eventually parted ways after a few years. Bhatt later dated actor Ameesha Patel from 2002 to 2007. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, "while his relationships did not stand the test of time, his films have continued to connect with audiences over the years".

Legal Troubles And Upcoming Film

Recently, Bhatt faced legal challenges. In December 2025, he and his wife, Shwetambari Soni, were arrested for alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust related to a film project. After the Rajasthan High Court rejected their bail plea in January 2026, the Supreme Court granted them bail in February 2026. Denying wrongdoing, Bhatt stated, "All I can say is that it is nonsense. They have not been able to prove anything in the chargesheet. It is the most bizarre charge sheet. But the matter is now before the court. Whatever I say today, people will think I am only trying to defend myself. So I would rather let the court defend me. I have faith that the truth will come out".

Professionally, Bhatt awaits Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past (Haunted 2), starring Mimoh Chakraborty and Chetna Pande, releasing June 12