If 'Prince' Mahesh Babu had a regret in 2011, it is this. He rues the fact that he could not grab the offer made by Mani Ratnam and the Snehithudu offer from Shankar with both hands. In the case of the latter, he had to forgo the bumper offer because the shooting dates clashed with those of Dookudu.

The good news is that Mani sir is still keen on working with Mahesh Babu. The genius has plans to make a period film with the handsome actor in the lead. There is a reason why Mani is not making it on an urgent basis – he thinks that this is not the opportune time to make a period film since many period dramas are happening these days.

Mahesh has been quoted as saying about this. “Mani Ratnam still wants to do the film with me. But he said since there are lot of period films happening he would rather wait one or two years.” This puts paid to the rumour that Mani would not be working with Mahesh any time soon.

One or two years may not be too long a time. Meanwhile, Mahesh would have the opportunity to expand his horizon in the Southern market. By releasing his movies in Tamil Nadu. Starting with The Businessman, the superstar stands good chances of becoming a familiar face in TN before he finally joins hands with Mani to make a true period blockbuster.