Mumbai, May 25 (IANS): Ekta Kapoor has reportedly roped in columnist-author Shobhaa De as social media consultant for her home production "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" to ensure the context of the film remains contemporary and appeals to the audience.

"I am looking forward to some exciting and hitherto unknown facts to emerge from her (Shobhaa De) association," Ekta said in a press statement.

She is producing the film under her banner Balaji. Milan Luthria is directing the film which is said to be based on the lives of gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim.

De is known for her keen insight and understanding of urban culture. According to a source, Balaji was looking for someone who would ensure that the context of the film would be contemporary and appeal to audience alike.

Shobhaa's lucidity of thought and ideas and her dedicated scrutiny of society in the 70's made her the perfect fit, said the source.

Seen through the eyes of a police officer, "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld. Set primarily in the 1970 Mumbai, the film follows the rise of Sultan (Ajay Devgan) and his eventual fall, when his protégé Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai.

The films is said to be a quintessential underworld film with high commercial appeal.