Mumbai's underworld in 70s, 80s to come alive on celluloid

MUMBAI: The dreaded underworld which ruled the roost in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s will be brought alive on celluloid in a film titled "Once upon a time in Mumbai".

The film to be directed by Milan Luthra is produced by Suneil Shetty's Popcorn Entertainment and Balaji telefilms.

Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan and Emran Hashmi have been approached to play pivotal roles of the underworld dons who called the shots during that period, sources told Pthe media.

While Devgan has been offered the role of Haji Mastan, Emran has been approached to play the role of a young Dawood Ibrahim, sources added. The script and screenplay is written by Luthra himself.

"The project is in pre-production stages and will go on floors later this year or early 2009. The casting is still in the initial stages and nothing has been finalised," sources said.

Haji Mastan even produced a few films and Amitabh Bachchan's "Deewar" is said to be inspired by his life while "Nayakan" is said to be based on Vardharajan's life.