Abhishek Bipasha as Ravana and Mandodri

Bipasha Basu has signed on to play Ravan's wife Mandodari in Mani Ratnam's upcoming film, Ravana. Abhishek Bachchan plays Ravana.Aishwarya Rai plays the role of Sita, the central figure of the story.South actor Vikram plays Aishwarya's husband, Ram.




Bipasha will begin filming from mid September for a period of 20 days.Her 40 minute long role is important and includes an item song.

Mandodari, the beautiful and pious daughter of the King of Danavas,Mayasura and the celestial dancer, Apsara Hema, is best known as the Queen Consort of Ravana. She was the mother of Indrajit, who got his name after defeating Indra, the King of Gods.

Bipasha immediately said yes to the role. She had agreed to do it a month ago but Mani Ratnam had given her strict instructions to not talk about it. Bipasha's costumes are ready. She is very happy with her look in the film. She is looking forward to joining the unit of Raavana.

Essaying the role of Ravan in Mani Ratnam’s next flick, Abhishek’s look is doing him much good as he is getting under the skin of the character. The actor has shaved off his greasy hair. But it’s going to take a while before Abhishek comes out in the open with his ‘Ravana’ look as the actor is observing strict orders by director Mani Ratnam.

Abhishek's Ravana is an interesting Tale

Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is all set to revive the magic of Guru. But this time, the real life couple, Aishwarya - Abhishek Bachchan will be seen in a twisted romance. Titled as Ravana, the film is a contemporary adaptation of the Ramayana.

The Story was very much guarded of Mani Ratnam’s Abhishek – Aishwarya starrer bilingual Ravana but is doing the rounds already! The story of the film goes like this. Abhishek Bachchan’s sister gets publicly humiliated by the character played by South star Vikram.

An angry Abhishek seeks revenge and storms into Vikram’s house. But he doesn’t find him there. Wanting to teach him a lesson, Abhishek kidnaps Vikram’s wife played by Aishwarya Rai.

Chased by the police, Abhishek hides in the nearby jungle. And guess what? Both of Abhi-Ash end up falling in love.

What follows next forms the rest of the film. Ravana is supposedly a modern day take on the Ramayana with Abhishek playing the title role. But it’s Abhi-Ash’s love affair that brings in the twist in the tale. Mani’s wife Suhasini makes her Bollywood debut with Ravana .

According to grapevine Govinda’s character is a take on Hanuman from Ramayana who aides Vikram to reach Abhishek . Ravi Kissen plays Abhishek’s trusted aide while Nikhil Dwivedi plays a cop. The film in its Tamil version will be called Ashokavanam with Prithviraj Sukumar playing Abhishek’s role.

Indeed, Mani has shot a steaming love-scene between the two, but he is now thinking of deleting it from the film, since it will go against his inspiration, the Ramayana.