Director Rajkumar Santoshi has selected South Indian actor Prakash Raj to play Ravana opposite Ajay Devgan as Ram in his much-touted "Ramayan".

"It's a decision we took after much deliberation. We have decided to take north Indian actors as members of King Dasharath's clan. Hence Ajay plays Ram and Riteish Deshmukh has been finalised to play Lakshmann. All of Ravana's clan will be cast from the south," Santoshi told.

He is currently putting finishing touches to his Ajay-Vidya Balan starrer "Hallabol", and also trying to get Salman Khan's dates for his dream project "London Dreams" in place.

There's also a comedy that Santoshi is planning to make with Pankaj Kapoor and his son Shahid.

"I've met both and the project is on. It will be an out-and-out slapstick comedy with Pankaj-ji and Shahid as father and son. I haven't returned to comedy since 'Andaz Apna Apna'. It's time I had myself some laughs," said the prolific director.

Prakash Raj is a well-known Telugu actor. He was recently offered to play Veerappan in a film that the bandit's wife wanted to produce. But he declined the offer.