Ash, Abhishek to shoot in Kerala

Ash, Abhishek to shoot in Kerala

Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai [Images] Bachchan's new film with Mani
Ratnam -- tentatively called Ravan -- will be shot in a forest near
the Athirapally waterfalls in Kerala . The film's shooting with other
artistes has already started; the couple will join them very shortly.

According to a source, Mani Ratnam is finalising the locations, and
the shoot will start sometime next week. Incidentally, the Athirapally
waterfalls is Mani's favourite location. He had earlier filmed parts
of the Dil Se song, Jiya Jale (picturised on Preity Zinta, and the
Guru song, Barso re (picturised on Ash) at the same location.

Mani Ratnam was earlier toying with the idea of shooting the film in
Sri Lanka . But he abandoned the plan after insurgency by Tamil rebel
group LTTE peaked against the Sri Lankan government.

"It was not considered as a safe haven for shooting, so the shooting
of Ravan shifted to Kerala," said a source.

Mani Ratnam had scored a hit with the younger Bachchans in last year's
Guru. Let's hope the ace filmmaker re-creates the magic at the box
office.