Phantom Films was an Indian film production company based in Mumbai, founded in 2011 by filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl and producer Madhu Mantena. The company was active in Hindi cinema for around seven years and produced a number of critically acclaimed films before being dissolved in 2018.
| Type | Film production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hindi cinema (Bollywood) |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Dissolved | 2018 |
| Successor entities | Good Bad Films (Anurag Kashyap), Andolan Films (Vikramaditya Motwane), among others |
Phantom Films was set up by four partners who had already established themselves individually in the Hindi film industry. Anurag Kashyap was known for directing Black Friday, Dev.D and the Gangs of Wasseypur duology. Vikramaditya Motwane had directed the acclaimed Udaan (2010). Vikas Bahl had earlier worked at UTV Spotboy, while Madhu Mantena had produced Ghajini (2008). The four came together with the aim of creating a creatively driven studio that would back distinctive, content-led cinema in addition to commercial projects.
During its years of operation, Phantom Films produced and co-produced a range of films, several of which received significant critical attention. Notable productions associated with the banner include:
The company also ventured into the digital space, co-producing Sacred Games (2018), the first Indian original series for Netflix, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap.
Phantom Films was widely regarded as one of the most prominent banners associated with the so-called "new wave" of Hindi cinema in the 2010s. Its productions frequently engaged with realistic settings, moral ambiguity, urban and small-town India, and stories outside the traditional star-driven mainstream. The studio gave opportunities to several first-time and emerging directors and writers, and helped open commercial space for independent and mid-budget films.
In October 2018, Phantom Films was dissolved by mutual decision of its partners. The dissolution followed allegations of sexual misconduct made against co-founder Vikas Bahl, which became part of the broader Indian #MeToo movement that gained momentum that year. Following the closure, the founders went their separate ways and launched independent ventures. Anurag Kashyap later set up Good Bad Films, while Vikramaditya Motwane founded Andolan Films. Madhu Mantena continued as a producer through his own banner.
Despite its relatively short existence, Phantom Films left a notable footprint on Hindi cinema of the 2010s. Several of its films are considered milestones in contemporary Indian filmmaking, and its co-production of Sacred Games is regarded as a turning point in the rise of Indian streaming originals.