The latest piece of news (so big is it that it is impossible to keep it hush-hush), being circulated in tinsel town is that National Award winner and maverick filmmaker Bala, known for his offbeat films with unique characterisation, has roped in for his next project none other than Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, currently basking in the success of Vishwaroopam.

And if sources are to be believed, yet another intriguing aspect of this is that the Avan Ivan director was also said to have convinced Gauthami to be part of the ensemble cast. It is unclear whether the film is a feature film or biopic.

If this is true, then Bala undoubtedly has pulled off a coup of sorts. Bala, who is gearing up for the release of his latest offering, Paradesi, denied the news. "Presently, my concentration is on my film, Paradesi, which is scheduled to release on March 15. I don't have any such idea of making a film with Kamal sir, leave alone meeting him with this agenda. It is someone's fertile imagination and there's no truth in it," he said.

Paradesi, which got rave reviews from Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, is being released in 400 screens in Tamil Nadu and 50 in Mumbai.

The period film, set in the backdrop of tea plantation workers, is based on real life incidents that took place in the 1930s. It features Atharva, Vedhika and Dhanshika in the lead.

Meanwhile, as reported first by this newspaper, Kamal Haasan's next project would be with the biggie Aascar Films and a close source to producer Ravichandran also confirms that talks are on with the Nayagan star.