Mani Ratnam’s new venture is a bilingual Tamil-Malayalam film

One of India’s talked about Director, Mani Ratnam is back to work after 18 months of break. Last Monday (6 October) the elusive director started his new untitled bilingual film in Tamil and Malayalam in a hush-hush manner in Chennai. 

Mani’s new film is set against the backdrop of two metros: Chennai and Mumbai and has chosen Dulquer and Nitya because of their urban cool dude looks.The two have already been paired together. They starred as the romantic lead in Malayalam super hit 'Ustad Hotel' that was written by Anjali Menon and directed by Anwar Rasheed. 

Mani’s new film is produced by his own banner 'Madras Talkie’s. Evergreen music director AR Rahman and cinematographer PC Sreeram are part of the core technical team. Now Mani is trying to recreate his old magic, by going back to his roots. Sreeram and Mani Ratnam are teaming up for this new film after a gap of 14 years. They last worked together in the Madhavan-Shalini starrer Alaipayuthey (2000).

Mani Ratnam needs a hit and a film which will be liked by the critics and his traditional multiplex audiences to retain his brand image. Will this be the film to do it?