Aishwarya Rai will soon be seen portraying dual roles – Nandini and her mute mother Mandakini Devi. in Ponniyin Selvan I. In a recent interview director, Mani Ratnam revealed who was his first choice to play this challenging role.

At the press conference in Chennai, Mani Ratnam was asked if he had thought of any other actress to play Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan. The director named veteran actress Rekha. Incidentally, Rajinikanth's choice was also Rekha, which he revealed at the audio and trailer launch in Chennai.

Director Mani Ratnam said, "Before Aishwarya, I wanted to work with Rekha for the same character. Didn’t have any other actors in mind for this role." In 1994 and 2011, Mani Ratnam attempted to make Ponniyin Selvan but both times the project did not take off as planned.

Ponniyin Selvan is the adaptation of the historical fiction novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy, written in Tamil. The novel was first serialised in the weekly editions of Kalki from 29 October 1950 to 16 May 1954 and released in book form of five parts in 1955. The film will hit the theatres on September 30. Produced by Madras Talkies, the film also features Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, and Sobhita Dhulipala, among others.