Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to reteam for a period drama

If fresh reports are to be believed, Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are set to join forces after a huge gap of 11 years. The duo was last seen together in filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma’s Sarkar Raj, which buzzed into theatres in 2008.

Reportedly, filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who has previously directed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in such films as Guru (2007) and Raavan (2010), has approached the former beauty queen to play the female lead in his next directorial venture. While Aish is certain to sign the project on the dotted line, Amitabh Bachchan is also expected to join her on the cast.

A source close to the development reveals that the project that Mani Ratnam is planning is on the lines of S.S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali franchise. The project will be made on a lavish scale.

“It’s a big-budget historical drama, which is being planned on the lines of the Baahubali franchise. It’s likely to be a bilingual project and star several other big names from the South Indian film industry. Mani approached his muse Aishwarya for the female lead and she signed on the dotted line,” divulges the source.

Some media outlets also report that the untitled project is based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s popular historical novel Ponniyin Selvan (The Son of Ponni). The film will have an ensemble cast.

“There will be an ensemble cast. The actors have already been asked to give bulk dates and commit a few years to this film, as it will be made in several parts. The book has five volumes, but the makers are planning to conceptualise it as three instalments on screen,” adds the source.

The source goes on to add that Mani Ratnam has narrated the script to Amitabh Bachchan. However, the thespian is yet to take the final call. “Mani has narrated the script to Amitji. He is taking his time to decide whether he would like to do it. A confirmation from his end is yet to come, but he has liked the idea.”

The project is expected to be announced next week.