AR Rahman needs no biggies

Mirror was the first to report that Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman is turning producer, but now we have learnt that the film will be directed by renowned ad filmmaker and TV serial director Viswesh Krishnamoorthy.

It's also learnt that choreographer-turned- director Prabhu Deva will be part of the project in a key role, but it's not clear in what capacity will the dancing sensation be roped in.

Interestingly, the Oscar-winner, who composed music for the 2012 Upendra-starrer Godfather, is expected to produce two flicks this year, and both will be bilingual. "For the first project, he has roped in Viswesh. It will be definitely not a typical Bollywood movie. Rahman wants to make a splash through his debut project as a producer," a source close to the production house told Mirror. Rahman has written the story for the first flick and it will be produced simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil. The star cast will be separate for the two languages with the heroines most likely to remain common.

The movie will be released in dubbed versions of Telugu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and in Malayalam in Kerala and abroad. In all likelihood, Rahman is expected to score the music for the movie.

"The plot does not need an A-list actor. Emerging actors can do justice to the roles. The auditioning will commence shortly in Mumbai and Chennai," the source said, indicating that it will be a youth-oriented movie and the plot has adequate scope for 3-4 characters. Incidentally, it is said that top A-list actors in Bollywood as well as Tamil have evinced interest in appearing in special roles in the movie. Yes, it is true that Rahman sir has been given open offers by top stars in Hindi and Tamil to use their dates whenever required, if the plot necessitates the presence of a leading celebrity. We are simply overwhelmed with this kind of a gesture," the source added.

However, Rahman is clear that he does not want any A-list actor to be unnecessarily included in the movie when there is no such requirement.
According to trade sources, the project has already created a buzz in Bollywood with leading corporate firms intending to tie with Rahman's banner.