Phantom Films was a joint venture between Mantena-Kashyap-Motwane-Bahl (50 per cent) and Reliance Entertainment (50 per cent). The shares of Anurag Kashyap, Motwane and Bahl, who otherwise would have continued to hold 12.5 per cent share each, have now been bought by Madhu Mantena and after this, Phantom Films will be a joint venture between Madhu Mantena’s new company Mad Man Ventures and Reliance Entertainment, both parties will be holding a 50 per cent share.
Business Partners Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Madhu Mantena have decided to not work together anymore. Talking about this whole incident Anurag Kashyap had tweeted, “And all dreams come to an end. We did our best and we succeeded and we failed, but I know for sure we are all stronger and wiser and will continue to pursue our dreams in our own individual ways.” Now, the production house has undergone a change in its shareholders.
A trade source says, “One thought it was all over for Phantom Films as a brand but Madhu had ideas to keep it alive. He got in touch with Kashyap, Motwane and Bahl and expressed an interest to buy their stakes. The three of them agreed, the modalities were worked out quickly, the deal was made amicably.” When contacted, Madhu Mantena confirmed the same.
Phantom Films was established in 2013 and has produced many films- ‘Lootera’, ‘Queen’, ‘NH 10’, ‘Bombay Velvet’, ‘Shaandaar’, ‘Manmarziyaan’ amongst others. Reliance Entertainment picked up 50 per cent stakes in it in March 2015. After Kashyap, Motwane, Bahl and Mantena went separate ways two years ago, two projects of Phantom Films saw the light of day- ‘Super 30’ and ‘Sacred Games’. The film ’83 remains to be released. All three projects were set up and locked prior to the split.
