Bollywood’s casting pundits are busy speculating

about Mani Ratnam’s second hero for his new movie starring Abhishek

Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. It is an intense love story.

The rumour that actor Ranbir Kapoor will be a part of the cast has

triggered the guessing game. “We’ve no idea where all the speculation

started, or what it means. Ranbir doesn’t feature in the cast of Mani’s

film at all,” said a source close to the project.

The source added: “There is another male lead required in this

Abhishek-Ash love story. But it must be someone older than Abhishek.

So, it cannot be Ranbir.”

Could it be Madhavan, who has done five films with the Tamil

filmmaker?

Madhavan denies the rumour. “No. I’m certainly not a part of Mani sir’s

new film. He hasn’t asked me and I wouldn’t be able to do it even if he

does because I’ve no dates from September when he shoots his Hindi

film.”

Is Madhavan disappointed that Mani Ratnam has switched favourites?

“Not at all!” Madhavan laughs. “Mani and I have done five films

together. He needs to work with other actors. And I need to look at

other directors.”