Phantom Studios

Phantom Studios
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2010 (original)
2022 (revival)
FoundersMadhu Mantena
Anurag Kashyap
Vikas Bahl
Vikramaditya Motwane
Defunct2018 (original)
Headquarters
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
ProductsFilms, content creation, OTT series
ServicesFilm production
Film distribution, OTT series
OwnerMad Man Films Pvt Ltd[1]
WebsitePhantom Studios

Phantom Studios (formerly Phantom Films) is an Indian film production and distribution company established by Madhu Mantena, Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, and Vikramaditya Motwane.[2] It was founded in 2011 by all four of them, and was cited as the "directors' company". In March 2015, Reliance Entertainment picked up 50% stake in the company.[3]

The company made its debut in the film industry with its first production, Lootera in 2013. Directed by Motwane, the period romance featured actors Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles. The film was a collaboration with Balaji Motion Pictures, serving as a co-producer.[4] Next year, the company co-produced the romantic comedies Hasee Toh Phasee starring Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra directed by Vinil Mathew, and Queen directed by Vikas Bahl starring Kangana Ranaut and Lisa Haydon. Both the films were critical and commercial successes, with the latter also winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[5] It was followed by the thrillers Ugly starring Rahul Bhat and Ronit Roy directed by Anurag Kashyap and NH10 (2015) directed by Navdeep Singh starring Anushka Sharma and Neil Bhopalam.[6] The company went on to produce other critically acclaimed projects like Udta Punjab (2016) starring Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor which was directed by Abhishek Chaubey and 83 (2021) starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone which was directed by Kabir Khan.[7]

In March 2022, the company was renamed to ‘Phantom Studios’ with Srishti Behl at the Helm as CEO.[8] The company has partnered with AGS Entertainment and is currently working on the Hindi remake of the 2022 Tamil film Love Today.[9] The company also co-produced the Amazon prime period drama series ‘Jubilee’.[10]

  1. ^ "Madhu Mantena buys Anurag Kashyap, Vikramditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl's shares in Phantom Films". Hindustan Times. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Phantom Films' gets revived by new owners, Madhu Mantena and Sheetal Talwar - Exclusive!". The Times of India. 1 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Reliance Entertainment 'blazes trail' with Phantom Films". Business Today. 9 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Friends with benefits". The Indian Express. 20 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Phantom Films partners Paranormal Activity makers". business-standard.
  6. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (9 March 2015). "Reliance Entertainment, Phantom Films Sign Joint Venture Deal". Variety.
  7. ^ "Phantom Films' gets revived by new owners, Madhu Mantena and Sheetal Talwar - Exclusive!". The Times of India. 1 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257.
  8. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (20 February 2023). "Tamil Blockbuster 'Love Today' Gets Bollywood Remake From Phantom, AGS (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Tamil-blockbuster 'Love Today' to be remade in Hindi, Phantom Studios and AGS Entertainment join hands for the same". The Times of India. 20 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257.
  10. ^ "Vikramaditya Motwane says his next film 'Jubilee' is a love-letter to Bollywood". The Economic Times. 25 March 2023. ISSN 0013-0389.