Adding to speculations about Mani Ratnam directing a Vijay-starrer film, there are now reports that the director has revived his ambitious film Ponniyin Selvan, with a huge star cast.
According to an Iflicks report, Ponniyin Selvan will star Vikram, Vijay Sethupathi and Jayam Ravi in the lead. Simbu is said to play an important role, similar to his role in Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. Amitabh Bachchan has also reportedly been approached to play the role of Sundara Chola in the film.
A source close to the film says, “Official word on the project will be out once Vijay Sethupathi finalises his dates. The actor confirmed his availability for the film immediately after Mani Ratnam told him about the idea of reviving the project.”
The film is likely to be produced by Lyca Productions. There is no official confirmation from anyone in the team yet.
The project was planned fifteen years ago by Mani Ratnam. It was scheduled with Vijay, Vikram and Mahesh Babu in lead roles, and later with Karthi and Ram Charan, before it was shelved temporarily. Last year, Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam was rumored to be the modern-day Ponniyin Selvan.
After this, in November, reports said that Mani Ratnam might be directing his next film with actor Vijay in the lead. Some said it would be a new role, and some others speculated that the director was reviving his dream project Ponniyan Selvam with Vijay in the lead. A spokesperson for the actor told Silverscreen that nothing had been confirmed.
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STR is said to have neither confirmed nor denied the project. He is currently working on post production for Sundar C’s Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven. He also has Maanadu, a political drama directed by Venkat Prabhu, in its pre-production stage.
Vikram has also not confirmed his part in the film. He is awaiting the release of Dhruva Natchathiram, a spy thriller directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. He is also working on Kadaram Kondan, an action thriller directed by Rajesh Selva.