Actor Pooja Hegde is the front runner in the race to become Pawan Kalyan's leading lady in a period vigilante actioner directed by Krish. According to a source, the Kanche director is ready with the final draft of the script and has begun the casting process. 

"Krish has narrated the script to Pooja, who is keen to play versatile roles that showcase her in a new light. She liked the characterisation and the storyline and is excited to share screen space with Pawan Kalyan. She has agreed in principle and if everything materialises, Pooja will sign the dotted line soon," reveals a source close to the director. 

Set in the Mughal empire, Pawan will be seen as a swashbuckling Robin Hood-type character and we hear his role is loosely inspired by Chiranjeevi in Kondaveeti Donga (1990). Produced by AM Rathnam, the film is expected to go on floors this summer. 

Pooja is currently straddling the sets of Prabhas' period love story and an untitled romcom starring Akhil. Pawan Kalyan, meanwhile, will next be seen in the Telugu remake of the hit Hindi film Pink.