Sanjay Dutt as Haji Mastan?

His forthcoming film is about three dons who ruled Mumbai in the ’70s; he is expected to play Haji Mastan, reports PRITHWISH GANGULY Three of the most powerful dons who terrorised Mumbai in the ’70s — Haji Mastan, Karim Lala and Varadarajan Muniswami Mudaliar — will soon come alive on-screen. Milan Luthria’s forthcoming film Once Upon a Time in Mumbai has drawn inspiration for its plot from the lives of these three gangsters who ruled the streets of the then Bombay. Sanjay Dutt, who has been approached by Milan for the film, will play the role of one of the gangsters, most probably Haji Mastan, considering that he had the most influence on Bollywood among the trio. “He fits the bill completely for the role he will play. Can’t disclose everything right now,” Milan says laughing. The film, co-produced by Suniel Shetty’s Popcorn Entertainment and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, will also highlight the emergence of organised crime in the city. “The film will portray a period in Mumbai when the city first saw what organised crime was and the extent of violence it can cause,” says Milan. “Our film is based on what the city went through in that period, how suddenly the gangsters ruled the streets and people were terrified. Though it is a gangster movie, it will also show the contemporary cabaret culture of the city.” Milan adds: “Since the film is about gangsters and the underworld of the ’70’s, we have drawn instances from the lives of gang lords of those days like Haji Mastan, Karim Lala and Vardarajan. They were instrumental in bringing organised crime to the city.” Our sources say Milan’s film will have characters who will essay these three notorious gangsters, but Milan was not too forthcoming about details. “The film is inspired from what happened in the 70s and so since these men belonged to that era instances may be similar but the characters are not essaying them ditto,” he adds.