MUMBAI: The Chinese government‘s official film production company Lighthouse Productions has backed the country‘s first ever home-made Bollywood film Gold Struck.

The film, to be made with a budget of $10 million will be set in China and India, and is likely to have Bollywood actors including Shahid Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, subject to their availability in 2011.

Gold Struck tells the story of two Indian and Chinese research students who meet in an American university and embark on an adventure that takes them back through time to Qin Dynasty China in 220 BC. The working languages for the film are Mandarin Chinese, Hindi and English. The film, replete with song and dance sequences, is likely to be directed by Hong Kong-based director Tony Cheung.

Lighthouse Productions CEO Cindy Shyu said, "Chinese audiences are interested in Indian films and dance, but have little opportunity to experience Indian cinema." 

Shyu was in India recently to meet potential distributors. It is understood that Lighthouse has already initiated talks with Eros International in this matter.

This would be the first-ever film project backed by both Chinese and Indian investors, with Indian and Chinese characters and cultural content specifically tailored for Chinese audience.

The production is slated to begin in the second half of next year and the film is expected to be released in China, India and the United States.