MUMBAI: DAR Media has forayed into film production and the first movie under the banner will be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar.

Back to directing after a gap of almost four years, Manjekar’s film is called City Of Gold. The film is being shot in Mumbai and is 60% complete.

City of Gold is based on the mills of Bombay and is about the social issues, which came up due to the mill strikes. The movie stars Satish Kaushik and Seema Biswas.

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com DAR Media chairman Arun Rangachari said, "The film has tremendous international and domestic appeal, It’s a universal subject. I am very excited about our first project and even though the film will be ready for release by the end of January, 2010; we will have to wait till May or June for the release since there are too many releases in February, which will be followed by the IPL in March – April. So we think May or June is the best time to release the film."

Manjerekar added, "With City of Gold, I have finally found a subject that has got my creative juices flowing all over again. The film is a no holds barred look at the birth of the true underbelly and organized crime in Mumbai and at those who had to sacrifice their all so that the 21st century Mumbai of swanky malls and glittering multiplexes could be built- the mill workers."

Shooting for City of Gold will be wrapped up by 15 December, whereas post production work on the film will be complete by year end.