Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor might play the role of Shiva, a Hindu god, in the onscreen adaptation of Amish Tripathi's bestselling novel 'Immortals of Meluha'.
Filmmaker Karan Johar had bought the rights of Tripathi's novel and has reportedly handed down the project to the "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" director Ayan Mukherjee.
The young director has now chosen his close friend Ranbir Kapoor to play the lead role of Shiva in the film.
"Picking Ranbir was a unanimous choice. Ayan has already started work on adapting the book into a screenplay. The other parts of the trilogy will be decided upon later," an insider told Mid Day.
The success of Ayan's latest "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" convinced Johar, to pass on the project to him. Eralier reports had stated Johar would direct the movie himself.
Ayan has two other successful hits in his pocket - "Wake Up Sid" (2009) and "YJHD" - both with Ranbir in the lead roles. Hence, it comes as no surprise that actor Ranbir was roped in for Ayan's latest venture again.
However, Karan Johar's production house, Dharma Productions is yet to confirm the news.
Previously, reports had suggested that Dharma Production's upcoming film "Shuddhi", starring "Krrish 3" actor Hrithik Roshan, was based on Tripathi's famous novel. But film's director Karan Malhotra downplayed the rumours.
In an earlier interview, Johar had expressed fear over adapting such a popular novel, "I am so worried because I may be assaulted because of that movie. I fear I may have to flee to another country. But that's one part of me. There is a part in me that wants to really make the film because I believe there is great cinema in there." (PTI)
