The perfectionist Mani Ratnam is taking a really long time for the pre-production works of his magnum opus 'Ponniyin Selvan' bases on Kalki's historical novel of the same name. Shooting is expected to start in November this year in locations in Tamil Nadu and Thailand with a staggering 5000 extras apart from the top-notch cast.

Mani Ratnam has asked his lead actors to grow long hair and Jayam Ravi who plays Arulmozhi Varman and Parthiban who is donning the role of Periya Pazhuvettaiyar have already developed attractive manes. 'Ponniyin Selvan' produced by Lyca Productions has the dream cast of Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Jayaram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Keerthy Suresh, Amala Paul, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sathyaraj, Parthiban and Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles.