Director Maniratnam had last directed the multi-starrer 'Nawab' ('Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' in Tamil).  Following the success of the gangster drama, the director is all set to revive his dream project, the multi-starrer 'Ponniyin Selvan'.

There have been various rumours around the movie which is the on-screen adaptation of Tamil novelist Kalki Krishnamurthy's epic novel of the same name, and it was said that this movie will feature the likes of Karthi, Vikram, Keerthy Suresh, Aishwarya Rai and many others, though no official information has been revealed.

The news is that former Miss World and actress Aishwarya Rai has revealed that she is going to be a part of the magnum opus. Speaking in Cannes, she said that she is a part of Mani Ratnam's next, and that she is humbled and excited to work with her 'guru'. It has been said that she will be playing the mysterious and power crazy Nandini in the movie.