Who is that new girl Mani Ratnam is looking for?

Ace director Mani Ratnam has succeeded in finding the male lead for his next film, but he is still-hunting for a new girl who has not been seen on the screen by Tamil audiences or familiar in filmy circles.

While the hunt for the girl he is looking for is on, Mani Ratnam has zeroed in on actor Karthik's son Gautham for the role of male protagonist. It is said Gautham has impressed the veteran filmmaker. He is undergoing screen tests and for this he makes frequent trips from Bangalore to Chennai.

Mani Ratnam feels Gautham has all the potential to become an 'intelligent actor'.

According to sources, the director was inclined to cast Kamal Haasan's younger daughter Akshara in his new film. But she is focused on film-making and least interested in acting. Mani's next choice was Radha's younger daughter Tulsi, but Radha wanted her to wait till her elder sister Karthika (who starred in 'Ko') becomes a topper. Then Parthepan's daughter Keerthana's name also was considered, but did not find favour with Mani as she had already acted in his classic movie 'Kannathil Muthamittal', the sources said.

So, the hunt for a new girl continues. Meanwhile, Mani Ratnam is giving the final touches to the script. The title of the film is yet to be revealed. His last film was 'Raavan'. He has shelved 'Ponniyin Selvan'.

Mani Ratnam Pictures