Sources say that the actress will make a comeback with her favourite director

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has been on a sabbatical post the birth of her daughter Aaradhya two years ago, is all set to return to the big screen in a film directed by filmmaker Mani Ratnam. Aishwarya, who is quite close to Mani Ratnam, has worked with him in films such as 'Iruvar', 'Guru' and 'Raavan'. Aishwarya has even starred alongside husband Abhishek in 'Raavan', but sources say that this film will only have Aishwarya Rai in it.

`Mani Ratnam shares a fabulous equation with Abhishek and Ash. But this time he's planning to direct a film that revolves around a female protagonist. Mani feels there is little room for Abhishek in this film. For Aishwarya, working with him post the birth of her daughter is life coming full circle. She started her career with him and now she's starting another phase with a film made by him,` says a source.


The source adds that this will be a bi-lingual film starring Mahesh Babu and Nagarjuna, and that Aishwarya will be playing a strong woman character in it. Aishwarya remained unavailable for comment, but a source close to director confirms the news. `Mani Ratnam is currently doing a recce as part of the film's pre-production. If everything goes as per plan, the film will be shot at foreign locations and shooting will begin in July,` says this source.