Phantom Films partners Madhu Mantena and Vikas Bahl have not been seeing eye-to-eye for a while now
If rumours are to be believed, then this might just be the beginning of the end for Phantom Films. The productions house has created a number of Bollywood masterpieces, with some of the most creative minds in the industry at its helm. However, recent allegations that reached the media has caused an apparent serious rift with the partners of Phantom Films that may suggest that ship is coasting troubled waters. According to reports, Madhu Mantena is now thinking of abandoning ship and going his own way after recent developments.
Last week, it was reported that Vikas Bahl, director of Queen and one of the partners of Phantom Films, was charged by a fellow female co-worker of molestation. The incident is thought to have happened when the team were in Goa. According to a source provided by Mumbai Mirror, Bahl is known to have misbehaved on multiple occasions with a number of employees while under the influence. When Vikas Bahl was asked about the situation, he vehemently denied the allegations, stating that everything was fine. However, Phantom Films says that his employment with them has been terminated as of March 28.
As it is known in the corporate world, an employee reflects their company, and for the moment, Phantom Films is showing in bad light. This has left fellow maverick filmmakers Madhu Mantena and Anurag Kashyap with a sour taste in their mouth. Anurag and Vikas both have equal shares in the company, so the former is waiting back to see if he can salvage this dire situation. On the other hand, Madhu Mantena has allegedly parted ways with the company.
The question is, will Phantom Films continue as the dominating Bollywood production house that it is, or will it close shop soon enough? Each of its partners are brilliant creative people who can continue to make great films. Will they choose to stick it out and continue together, or go their own separate ways in the due course of time?
Photo Credits: India Forums
