Mani Ratnam's dream project, the Ponniyin Selvan adaptation seems to be getting bigger with every passing day. While it is confirmed that Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Parthiban, Jayaram and Aishwarya Rai are part of the project, names like Anushka Shetty, Karthi, Keerthy Suresh, Amitabh Bachchan, Mayaanadhi-fame Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Amala Paul have also been speculated to be part of this period film.

We now hear that Jayam Ravi's son, Arav, who made his debut in his father's movie Tik Tik Tik, has been roped in to play a role in the film.

The project, which is currently in pre-production, is expected to go on floors in January and be shot in Tamil Nadu and Thailand, with a staggering 5000 extras, apart from the main cast.

We also hear that 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 been sporting long manes in their public appearances. Vikram and Karthi are also expected to undergo makeovers for their roles as Karkala Chozhan and Vallavarayan Vandiyadevan, respectively.

Mani Ratnam's follow-up to Chekka Chivantha Vaanam is likely to be produced by Reliance Entertainment. The screenplay is being written by actor-writer Elango Kumaravel, who has adapted a number of historical novels into stage plays.