In October 2018, filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena and Vikas Bahl had decided to end their 5-year-old partnership in Phantom. Anurag Kashyap had announced the decision on Twitter after Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo wave. But now latest reports suggest a big change in the production house. As per online reports, Vikas Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, and Vikramaditya Motwane are officially out of company and filmmaker Madhu Mantena has now bought their shares.
Yes, that’s true! According to a report in ETimes, Kashyap, Bahl and Motwane, who enjoyed 12.5% share each, have been bought by the 4th partner, filmmaker Madhu Mantena. The report further suggests that Phantom Films will be a Joint Venture between Mantena's new company Mad Man Ventures and Reliance Entertainment, both parties holding 50 per cent. After their decision of parting ways, two projects produced by Phantom – Super 30 and Sacred Games – were released, while ’83 is yet to see the light of the day.
A source close to the development revealed to ETimes, “One thought it was all over for Phantom Films as a brand but Madhu had ideas to keep it alive. Madhu got in touch with Kashyap, Motwane and Bahl and expressed an interest to buy their stakes. The three of them agreed, the modalities were fast worked out, the dealing was implemented and completed amicably.”
Phantom was a dream, a glorious one and all dreams come to an end . We did our best and we succeeded and we failed. But i know for sure we will come out of this stronger, wiser and will continue to pursue our dreams our own individual ways. We wish each other the best.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) October 5, 2018
Earlier announcing his exit from Phantom, Anurag Kashyap had Tweeted on October 6, 2028, “Phantom was a dream, a glorious one and all dreams come to an end . We did our best and we succeeded and we failed. But i know for sure we will come out of this stronger, wiser and will continue to pursue our dreams in our own individual ways. We wish each other the best.” (ALSO READ: Vikas Bahl Sexual Harassment Scandal: Filmmaker Condemns Phantom Employee’s Decision To Not File A Complaint)
For the uninitiated, the production company Phantom, which was founded by the abovementioned filmmakers, has produced films like Lootera, Queen, NH10, Bombay Velvet, Shaandar, Manmarziyaan.
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