"As promised, here it is - our next big announcement! WELCOMING THE SUPERSTAR," the makers of Prabhas' 21st film said on Sunday, announcing that Bollywood superstar actress Deepika Padukone is the female lead of the sci-fi. Directed by 'Mahanati' maker Nag Ashwin, the untitled flick will be an international project produced by C Aswini Dutt's Vyjayanthi Movies.

Commenting on getting the 'Chennai Express' actress on board, Nag Ashwin said that she has been chosen as a befitting choice for the 'Baahubali' and 'Saaho' actor. "King ki saripadentha Queen kavali kada mari...chaala alochinchi teesukunna decision idi...pichekkicheddam," the director wrote on Twitter.

The film will likely go on the floors in mid 2021 and will hit the screens in 2022. So far, the details of other members of cast and crew are yet to be announced. Prabhas is rumoured to be playing a larger-than-life role elevated by VFX. The multi-lingual film is expected to be made at a cost of more than Rs 400 Cr.