Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is going to complete 24 years in the film industry next week.
The actress is reuniting with her first director Mani Ratnam for his upcoming Tamil historical drama.
Almost after nine months, filmmaker Mani Ratnam has returned to a set to commence shooting for his upcoming magnum opus ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. The period drama, which will be developed into two parts, offers a retelling of the early days of Arulmozhi Varman before he became the great Chola emperor.
As per Mid-day reports, Aishwarya has begun shooting for this film at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad from January 6. The actress, who will play a double role, reportedly kicked off the shoot with a dramatic scene with co-star Sarath Kumar.
“He plays Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom, while Aishwarya portrays Princess Nandini, his beautiful and manipulative wife. She will be seen in a double role as she also plays Nandini’s mother Mandakini Devi,” the report said.
The ‘Jodha Akbar’ actress will be seen in a full glamorous princess look for Nandini and a de-glam look for Mandakini Devi.
Rai’s stylist Eka Lakhani and the make-up team created her look after extensive research. “She’ll wear her hair to the side in an elaborate updo, complete with chunky gold jewellery, a waistband, and a statement headgear. As Mandakini Devi, she will sport a de-glam look.”
Revealing that the ace filmmaker already completed two stints before the pandemic, the source added, “It was a warm reunion for Aishwarya and Mani sir as they met after over a year. Five massive sets, replicating the 10th-century architectural style of the Chola empire, have been designed by Thotta Tharani at the studio. Mani sir has charted out a two-month schedule as he plans to complete a major chunk of the movie.”
AR Rahman has composed music for the historical flick, which also features Vikram, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Trisha in important roles.
Ratnam’s ambitious project ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ is based on the epic Tamil novel of the same name by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The film is being jointly produced by Mani Ratnam and Lyca Productions.