Abhishek will play Ravan in Mani Ratnam film

Contrary to rumours that Abhishek Bachchan will play Lord Rama in Mani Ratnam's Ravana, the filmmaker has finalized south star Vikram to play Ram in the film.

Instead, Abhishek will play the role of Ravana. Although Abhishek had played a grey character in Mani Ratnam's Yuva, Ravana is his first film where he will be playing an out-and-out villain.

Ajay Gehi (of Maqbool fame) and Ravi Kishan will play the roles of Ravan’s brothers, Vibheeshan and Kumbhakaran, respectively. However, Mani is yet to finalise an actor who will play Lakshman.

Ravana will be shot in South India and some parts of Srilanka and will go on the floor in the first week of October. The film will be made in three languages - Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.