Director Mani Ratnam's dream project 'Ponniyin Selvan' is in its preproduction stage and is set to go on floors in December this year. The all-star cast includes Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Jayaram, Parthiban, Sathyaraj, Keerthy Suresh, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amala Paul and Amitabh Bachchan.

Sources are now claiming that Sathyaraj who was cast in an important role has opted out of 'Ponniyin Selvan'. It is said that he was asked not to commit any other film for six months which made him take the decision even though he loved his character. It is said that the team is looking for a suitable veteran actor in Tamil or Telugu industry to replace Sathyaraj while last-minute negotiations to convince the 'Baahubali Kattappa' star to reconsider.