Ace director Mani Ratnam had a refreshing success in his illustrious career with the recently released O Kadhal Kanamani`. The film that dealt with live-in together relationships and its conflicts has been given thumbs up audience as well as critics for its novel content and deft handling by the veteran.

Now the aesthetic filmmaker is all set to start is next film. Usually he takes a gap of at least on year but this time sources say that he will be starting his next film in the month of September.

Sources also reveal that actor Karthi who is on a high after a dip in career thanks to the box office success of Madras` and Komban` has been confirmed to star in the lead role of this flick but he is yet to sign the contract.

Mani and Karthi met recently and discussed about the project as per sources close to the former`s production house, Madras Talkies. Though nothing else has been finalized about the film, the shoot of the film can be expected to begin in September.

It is worth noting that Karthi worked as an assistant director in Mani Ratnam`s 2004 film Aaydha Ezhuthu`.