National Award-winning director Nagesh Kukunoor, who is known for his films like Hyderabad Blues, Iqbal and Dhanak, is gearing up to direct a women-centric film starring Keerthy Suresh in the lead.

To be produced by Reliance Entertainment, in association with a renowned Telugu production house, the untitled film will be made in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. "Nagesh recently auditioned Keerthy and did a trial photoshoot. He was impressed with the result and is keen to cast her as the female lead in a film that addresses women's issues. He is giving final touches to the script and is planning to begin the principal shooting in the second half of this year,” says a source.

Keerthy, meanwhile, has commenced shooting for the Malayalam historical war film, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, and will soon start work on her new Telugu film directed by Narendranath.