[disappointment2]

Mani Ratnam, after hiatus post 'Raavanan', is all set to start his next film, which is expected to be the launch pad of veteran actor Karthik's son Gautham. "But a heroine has not been finalized yet," sources say.

"Gautham has given a screen test conducted by Mani and the director was thoroughly satisfied with the looks and skills of the aspiring actor. The film will be a love story set in a different backdrop," sources in the know say.

Said to be based on a one-liner narrated to Mani Ratnam by popular writer Jeyamohan, when they were planning to film Kalki's novel Ponniyin Selvan sometime back, the yet-to-be-titled project would have music by AR Rahman.

If one has to go by what tinsel town birdies say, Mani Ratnam is considering a few names, including Kamal Haasan's younger daughter Akshara, R Parthipan's daughter Keerthana and Radha's younger daughter Thulasi, to cast as the leading lady.