17 April,2026 05:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Filmmaker and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah recently won a 16-year-long cheque dishonour case linked to his 2009 film London Dreams. On Thursday, April 15, the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Andheri delivered a judgment in Vipul's favour, bringing closure to a long legal battle. Vipul's lawyer released a statement, mentioning that while justice might have been delayed in the case, it was not denied.
Vipul's advocate released a statement that read, "Vipul Amrutlal Shah has finally won a 16-year-old, long-drawn cheque-bouncing case against the producers of London Dreams. In 2009, Mr Shah, through his company Sunshine Pictures Private Limited, had extended a loan to the producers to complete their film. The repayment cheque issued by the producers was dishonoured by their bank upon presentation."
It further added, "After a gruelling legal process spanning 16 years, the Learned Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Andheri, vide its order dated April 15, 2026, held the producers, Mr PJ Singh and Mrs Gita Bhalla Singh, guilty and convicted them for offences punishable under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The producers have been directed to pay within 90 days, failing which they will face imprisonment of 9 months. Justice delayed, but not denied."
The case dates back to 2009, when Vipul directed a Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Asin-starrer film titled London Dreams. Through his company, Sunshine Pictures Private Limited, Vipul reportedly extended a loan to the film's producers to support the project's completion. However, the repayment cheque issued by the producers had bounced, triggering legal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
After more than a decade and a half of court hearings and delays, the court has now found the producers, PJ Singh and his wife, Gita Bhalla Singh, guilty of cheque dishonour. As a result, they have been directed to clear their dues within 90 days. If they fail to do so, they will face legal consequences and be sent to prison for nine months.
According to reports, Vipul, Salman and Ajay took pay cuts to complete the film. Earlier, Rajkumar Santoshi was supposed to direct, but Vipul took over. After a Rs 120 crore deal from Studio 18 fell through, Vipul reportedly waived his Rs 10 crore fee, while both actors took 25 per cent fee cuts to complete the film.
