MUMBAI: Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has zeroed in on its first regional project, a Bengali-English film starring Mithun Chakraborty. The film is titled Shukno Lanka (Red Chillies) and will be directed by Gaurav Pandey.

Confirming the development to Businessofcinema.com, M&M media company COO Indranil Chakraborty says, "Gaurav is currently working on the script of the film. The film will go on floors towards year end, by November or December. We are waiting for the final dates from Mithun."

Pandey says, "It is a non-linear film, which traces the relationship between a director and a junior artist, the journey of making a film. Mithun essays the role of the junior artist in the film. We are also in talks with Linda (Kabul Express) for a role in the film."

Pandey has earlier directed Raveena Tandon-starrer Stumped. He is also the writer of the Bengali film Anuranan that starred Rahul Bose, Rajat Kapoor and Raima Sen.

Shukno Lanka will be shot in Venice and Kolkata. The line production of the film will be done by Chivach Media, which has previously worked on Anuranan and The Bong Connection.

M&M has also acquired distribution rights of Popcorn Entertainment’s Mumbai Chakachak. "For Mumbai Chakachak, we are looking forward to sell the rights for particular territories to sub-distributors on commission basis," informs Chakraborty.

Alongside, the script of a movie based on Buddha is also in developing stages. The film will be directed by Pan Nalin.

Like Reliance ADAG’s Big Pictures, M&M is also eyeing the regional language film space in a big way. Apart from Bengali language cinema, the company is also keen on developing content in the Bhojpuri language.