Mani Ratnam and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan;–AP file photo

There are reports doing the rounds that director Mani Ratnam is roping in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's famous 1938 novel Rebecca.

However, these reports have been denied by sources close to Mani Ratnam. When TOI contacted Mani's wife, Suhasini, she denied the report that Ash and Mani will be working together next. Asked if the director had roped in Ash for Rebecca, she said, "No, it's wrong."

Suhasini went on to add, "Mani is currently focussed on Kadal, which still has seven days of shoot left. He will decide on his next only after this film releases. It will take him eight more months after that to write his next script. So, any news about his future project that comes up in this time period is false."

When TOI spoke to Mani Ratnam's spokesperson, he also said, "Mani sir is currently busy with the post-production work of Kadal. He's yet to decide on his next. The stories doing the rounds about his next film with Ash are just rumours."

Even though the industry is waiting for Ash to announce her any new project, guess we will just have to wait and watch.

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...