Exclusive: Phantom team gives Vikas Bahl 2nd chance, lets him direct Hrithik starrer

The decision to allow Vikas Bahl to direct the Anand Kumar biopic for Phantom Films and producer Preeti Sinha comes in the wake of the potentially career-destroying allegations of sexual harassment against the filmmaker of Queen and Shaandaar. Apparently, Madhu Mantena, Anurag Kashyap, and Vikramaditya Motwane, the co-founders of Phantom Films, had a closed-door meeting with Vikas, during which they issued him an ultimatum: mend your ways, or perish.

A source close to Phantom says, “What really worked in Vikas’ favour was the fact that no FIR was lodged for sexual harassment. Had there been any FIRs, Vikas would’ve been destroyed. Using that as a safety route, Vikas made his way back into Phantom.”

The decision to get him to direct the biopic was also approved by Preeti and the film’s leading man, Hrithik Roshan. “They all felt Vikas deserved a second chance,” says the source. “He’s been under severe stress, and his mother is very unwell. After Queen, Vikas went berserk. He’s now under control.”