Anushka Shetty in New Magnum Opus, But No Prabhas Here!

Baahubali star Anushka Shetty will soon be seen starting her next magnum opus venture, but this time not with Prabhas. The South Indian actress will star with Bollywood actress and Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a movie titled 'Ponniyin Selvan' directed by Mani Ratnam. Anushka has been reportedly roped in to play the lead role in the movie.

As per reports, Anushka had initially turned down the offer but later, when she was re-approached, she gave her nod. Earlier, South Diva Nayanthara was set to play the role but she lately denied, after signing a sports drama with Vijay and also project with Rajnikanth in his next, 'Darbar', as she couldn’t gave dates for ‘Ponniyin Selvan'.

Anushka will play the role of Poonguzhali in the epic visual extravaganza. The other big names in the movie's cast include Amitabh Bachchan, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vijay Sethupathi, Jayam Ravi and Keerthi Suresh. Oscar winning music director A R Rehman has been roped in for the film produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions banners.

Shetty has a line of movies awaiting to be shot which include 'Silence', in which Kollywood star Madhavan is playing the lead role. The film which is supposed to be a silent one will have Anushka playing the character of a deaf and dumb. The movie is being produced by Kona Venkat and directed by Hemant Madhukar.