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

The magnum opus, which is currently in pre-production, is expected to go on floors in November this year in locations in Tamil Nadu and Thailand with a staggering 5000 extras apart from the main cast.

We also hear that Mani 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 been already sporting manes in their public appearances. Chiyaan 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.