Ranbir Kapoor to play the lead in Mani Ratnam’s next
Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor is a happy man these days! Post the swashbuckling success of his flicks ‘Wake Up Sid’ and ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’, the Kapoor scion is flying high as he has become a top priority with taskmasters who matter. Owing to his diverse performances, the actor has become a huge hit with filmdom’s top director Mani Ratnam who is vying to cast him in his next film.

Currently involved with Aishwarya-Abhishek starrer ‘Raavan’, the director is making elaborate plans to make his next film with the stunner. According to sources, Mani’s next project is a pro Muslim film, ‘Azan.’ And even though he is still in the scripting process, he wants to cast the Kapoor lad in the lead role.

Confirming the news a source told a daily, “After the release of ‘Raavan’ in May next year, Mani will start working for ‘Azan.’ Unlike the films releasing in Bollywood of late, which focuses on either Jehad or Islam, this is a pro-Muslim film, which will portray Muslims in a positive light. The title of the film is the name of the lead character as he will be born during Azan (The Muslim summons to prayer, called by the muezzin from a minaret of a mosque five times a day).”

As for Ranbir in the lead role the source added, “After seeing Ranbir’s progress as an actor, Mani sir is keen to have him in the lead role in the film. Ranbir has not played such a role till date and it is sure to be his breakthrough performance. Till now, Ranbir has played a young boy, a mature man (‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’), a Sardar (‘Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year’) and now seeing him portray a Muslim character, will be a different ballgame altogether.”

As of now the film is set to hit floors by August next year.