Thalaivi, the biopic on late actor-politician J Jayalalithaa, starring Kangana Ranaut in the lead, has been in the news ever since its inception. Reports were doing the rounds that actors Jr NTR and Balakrishna had turned down the offer to play late actor NT Ramarao (NTR) in the film directed by Vijay.

A source close to the makers, however, categorically deny that the two actors were approached for a role in the film. "It is a false rumour. The makers haven't approached any actor for the NTR role as yet. So how can Jr NTR or Balayya reject it?" quipped the source from the production team.

"The story of Thalaivi revolves entirely around Jayalalithaa and MGR (MG Ramachandran). So NTR will only make a brief appearance in the film and the makers don't need a big star to portray the role," says the source.

The next schedule of the film will commence soon after the lockdown ends. Also starring Arvind Swami as MGR, Thalaivi is slated to hit screens on June 26 in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.