While the names of actors such as Nithya Menen, Parvathy and Vidya Balan were doing the rounds, luck has favored Keerthy Suresh as she has been chosen to play the legendary actor Savitri in the upcoming bilingual biopic, Mahanati. To be directed by Nag Ashwin, the film also star Samantha Ruth Prabhu in a pivotal role and it’s through her eyes that the whole story of Savitri will unfold. With the rest of the cast yet to be confirmed, it is believed that the regular shooting will only commence from May-June 2017, and that the film will be simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu.

According to a source, Keerthy will officially sign the project later this week. Currently busy shooting for Suriya’s Thaana Serntha Kootam, the Remo actor is expected to gain weight and look plump to play Savitri on screen. The film’s story will also include real-life characters such as Gemini Ganesan, NT Rama Rao and Nageswara Rao among others. Ashwin is yet to finalise actors for these roles and a reliable source has told us that Nivin Pauly is being considered. While we await official confirmation from the makers, we’ve also been informed that a popular Bollywood star may also be part of the cast.

To be made on a lavish budget and with massive set pieces, the film will be unlike any Indian biopic so far.