By Subhash K. Jha

The rumour that Ranbir Kapoor will be joining the cast of Mani Ratnam's new Hindi venture has everyone associated with the film in a puzzle. "We've no idea where that started, or what it means. Ranbir doesn't feature in the cast of Mani's film at all" says a source close to the project.

The source further adds, "There is another male lead required in this Abhishek-Ash love story. But it must be someone older than Abhishek So, Ranbir is ruled out."

Could it be the old Mani favourite Madhavan who has done five films with the Tamil maverick? Maddy shoots down this rumour. "No. I'm certainly not a part of Mani Sir's new film. He hasn't asked me and I wouldn't be able to even if he did, because I've no dates from September when he shoots his Hindi film." A sense of disappointment that Mani has switched favourites? "Not at all!" Maddy laughs. "Mani and I have done five films together. He needs to work with other actors and I need to look at other directors."