Dulquer out, Nani in for Mani Ratnam’s next

Looks like actor Nani’s stocks have shot up post the super success of ‘Bhale Bhale Magadivoy’. The latest we hear is that actor has been roped in as one of the lead actors for Mani Ratnam’s forthcoming Telugu-Tamil bilingual. The film also sees Karthi in the lead role.

Nani will replace Dulquer Salmaan, who was the original choice for the revenge drama. The Malayalam heartthrob had to forego the project following his busy schedule. In this regard, Nani met the filmmaker on Wednesday in Chennai and has signed on the dotted line.

A source close to the actor confirms, “Nani has been in talks with Mani Ratnam for the past couple of weeks. It has been his long-time dream to work under him and the actor is thrilled that it’s happening early in his career.” Interestingly, Nani and Karthi will be pitted against each other in the film, which features Nithya Menen and Keerthy Suresh as the leading ladies.

The film is expected to roll on in December or early next year. It may be recalled that the fan boy in Nani came out earlier this year when the ace filmmaker called on the actor to lend voice for actor Dulquer for the Telugu version of ‘Ok Bangaram’.