Movie World
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to play a negative character in Mani Ratnam’s next
venture
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play a
negative role for her favourite director Mani Ratnam. Mani Ratnam and his
favourite actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan early collaborated on Iruvur, Guru and
Raavan. Now they are coming together for the fourth time for a film called
Ponniyin Selvan, in Tamil and this time she’s playing an out-and-out
antagonist.
Earlier Aishwarya was reluctant to
go grey. It isn’t even grey. It’s an out-and-out black character. Aishwarya was
not inclined to do a negative part at this stage of her career at all. She
believes, and perhaps rightly so, that as an iconic actress she has an example
to set to her fans. In a country besieged with crimes she doesn’t want to
glorify negativity by playing a negative character.
However it was Mani Ratnam who
convinced her about the character and her need to play it. He narrated the
whole script and explained why as an actor she must do this.
Aishwarya had started her career
with Mani’s Iruvar where she had to play a complex character of a politician
and speak in Tamil. She knew nothing about either politics or the Tamil
language. But Mani had faith in her. That’s what gave her the courage to go for
it.
Will this be the game changer in
Aishwarya’s career that she so needs? Wait and watch. It’s been Mani Ratnam’s
longtime desire to adapt Ponniyin Selvan into a film with a huge star cast.
Over a decade ago, he had almost announced the project with Vijay, Vikram and
Mahesh Babu, and later with Karthi and Ram Charan. But for reasons unknown, the
film never took off. Now Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been roped into the essay
the role of Princess Nandini, the wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar.
Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar is the
chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom in the epic novel, written by
Kalki Krishnamurthy.
It was told that Lyca Productions
is most likely to bankroll the project. Apparently, buoyed by the success of
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, Lyca has agreed to come on board to fund Ratnam’s
dream project. Mani Ratnam is currently in talks with Jio Studios to co-produce
the project. If everything goes as planned, the project might kick off from
this year-end or early next year and it will be simultaneously made in Tamil
and Telugu.
After Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,
Baahubali star Anushka Shetty has been roped in for Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin
Selvan. The Tamil-Telugu actress Anushka Shetty has been approached by the
makers to play a pivotal role in the film. The makers of Ponniyin Selvan are in
talks with Anushka Shetty and her team. The Bhaagamathie actress is yet to
confirm her inclusion in the film. She will most likely sign on the dotted line
soon.
Earlier, Mani Ratnam had initiated
talks with Nayanthara as well. However, it looks like the talks fizzled out.
The historical film will showcase
the life of Chola Emperor Arulmozhi. The gorgeous actress Aishwarya Rai
Bachchan will be playing one of the female leads in the film. Meanwhile,
Keerthy Suresh is a part of the epic saga. With such talented actresses in one
of the most wanted director's film, something big and better is expected. The
epic saga is currently in the pre-production stage and the shooting is likely
to go on floors by the end of 2019. It is indeed that one film that moviegoers
are eagerly looking forward to next year.
Actor-playwright-theatre artiste
Elango Kumaravel has been roped in to co-write the screenplay of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin
Selvan along with the director. The actor had earlier been part of the writing
team of the renowned Ponniyin Selvan theatre play in the 90s, in addition, he
plays the character of Ravidasan in it. His experience in adapting mythological
stories might have landed him the opportunity to work with the Guru director. He
is currently working on the script. The pre-production will take a few more
months. They are working hard to give the audience something very special.
Actors like Vikram, Jayam Ravi,
Karthi, Keerthy Suresh, Mohan Babu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan,
and Amala Paul are said to be part of the period film. While Aishwarya Rai had
confirmed in a Cannes interview that she is a part of the project, the others
are yet to officially confirm their participation.
Ratnam, who has almost put together
his team for the project, is currently in talks with Reliance Entertainment to
co-produce the project which could be easily be the most expensive film in the
filmmaker’s career. AR Rahman has been signed to compose music. The industry
grapevine is that Santosh Sivan, frequent collaborator will Ratnam, will return
as cinematographer.
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