MUMBAI: Emraan Hashmi and Abhay Deol have been signed for PVR Pictures’ next film called Shanghai. This is the first time that the two actors will share screen space.

Shanghai is directed by Dibakar Banerjee and is being made on a budget of under Rs 300 million (Rs 30 crore). The film will go on floors by April and is slated to release in October this year.

Shanghai is an official Hindi adaptation of the political thriller written by Greek novelist Vassilis Vassilikos on the real-life assassination of a politician. It has been adapted by Dibakar and his team to the Indian context.

The female lead of the movie is yet to be finalized. Speaking exclusively to Businessofcinema.com, PVR Pictures president Kamal Gianchandani said, “I am excited and look forward to the execution of Shanghai. Our male leads have been decided and I am glad to have talent like Emraan and Abhay in the film. We are now scouting for talent to play the female lead, as well as someone to play a very important role of a politician in the film.”

Banerjee said, "I’m looking forward to breaking some presumptions with this film/ I love the way some people stereotype the dark, kissy, negative Bond side of Emraan in his films. Well this film is going to see him go right into the heat and dust of a hellish Indian small town and its deadly politics. No leather jackets, suave bars and foreign locales. He’s here, in love, on a broken down scooter, shooting sleazy videos and on the run for his life!"

He further added, "Abhay has never been seen like this before – in a negative, cold, almost vicious character. Imagine Abhay being the establishment instead of fighting it. He looks at you through his glasses, wearing his stiff shirt and you wonder what’s on his mind. Then you may be under arrest and you don’t even know he did it! He is powerful, he represents the ruling class – and he doesn’t forget an insult – ever!"