Ravana to be Shot in Kerela

Director Mani Ratnam is going to shoot his next film Ravan at the Athirapally water falls in Kerala and nearby forests with Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan in the lead

Mani Ratnam is finalizing the locations, and the shoot will start sometime next week. Incidentally, the Athirapally waterfalls are Mani Ratnam’s favorite location. He had earlier filmed parts of the songs like Jiya Jale and Barso re at the same location.

Mani Ratnam was earlier considering the idea of shooting the film in Sri Lanka. But he abandoned the plan after insurgency by Tamil rebel group LTTE increased against the Sri Lankan government. And Finally Kerela was selected for the shoot.

Abhishek is Mani's Ravana

Contrary to rumours that Abhishek Bachchan will play Lord Rama in Mani Ratnam's Ravana, the filmmaker has finalized south star Vikram to play Ram in the film. Instead, Abhishek will play the role of Ravana. Although Abhishek had played a grey character in Mani Ratnam's Yuva, Ravana is his first film where he will be playing an out-and-out villain.

Ajay Gehi and Ravi Kishan will play the roles of Ravan’s brothers, Vibheeshan and Kumbhakaran, respectively. However, Mani is yet to finalise an actor who will play Lakshman. Ravana will be shot in South India and some parts of Srilanka and will go on the floor in the first week of October. The film will be made in three languages - Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.