/> For quite some time now there has been talk of the Big B going international.

The maga-star infinitely occupied with projects, brand endorsements and social commitments at home, had so far steadfastly said no to assignments that beckoned him abroad.

But now things are about to change. Yes, Asia's biggest entertainer is finally going international.

The director to take the Big B abroad is none other than Mira Nair Mira met up with the Big B in Mumbai to offer him a pivotal role in Shantaram, the film version of Gregory David Roberts' semi-autobiographical bestseller about an escaped Australian convict who finally ends up in Mumbai's underworld.

The Big B will be playing Kaderbhai a benign gangster in Mumbai who becomes Johnny Depp's mentor and surrogate-father.

He will be sharing most of his screen space in Nair's film with Depp, who took a role coveted by many of Hollywood's mega-icons including Russell Crowe.

When contacted the Big B joked, "How the hell do you get to know everything in my life? I need to check the security arrangements in my office.... Mira met me and has offered me the role that you've mentioned.

I've accepted. Now I plan to read the novel that has created a stir the world-over. I saw The Namesake in Toronto. It's a marvelous piece of work. Mira has been meeting me off and on for a long time.

She wanted me to be in her (aborted) Buddha. Hopefully my contribution to Shantaram will be substantial and worthwhile.

You've to admire Mira for being a lady from India and making such an impact globally, You've to admire her for her guts and enterprising spirit."

Mira Nair will be the second female director in the Big B's 35-year old career. He earlier worked with Honey Irani in Armaan.He also intends to work with Deepa Mehta shortly.