Rajkumar Santoshi pulled off a casting coup last month, signing Ajay Devgan and Kajol for his film based on the Ramayana. Now the buzz is that Riteish Deshmukh, along with either Mohan Lal or Mamooty, will join the cast of Santoshi’s epic project.

“Wait till January 14 because that’s when I shall make a formal announcement of the casting for Ramayana,” Santoshi said from Dubai.

According to sources, Deshmukh will play Lakshman, while Mohan Lal or Mamooty will be Ravana.
Asked to confirm reports about his ambitious project, Santoshi said, “It is still too early to say anything for sure, as things are yet to be finalised.”

Ajay Devgan and Kajol will play Ram and Sita in Raj Kumar Santoshi's Ramayana.
All he was willing to confirm was that Devgan and Kajol will play the Prince of Ayodhya and Sita. The two haven’t signed a film together after tying the knot.

Moreover, Santoshi himself is producing the film. Now that’s surprising, considering that it was initially supposed to be produced by K Sera Sera Productions. However, no one from K Sera Sera was avail able for comment.

Deshmukh too, could not be reached to confirm the news.

Santoshi is reported to have finalised most of the casting for his Rs 100-crore extravaganza. But he is yet to confirm a suitable actor to portray the role of Hanuman, which is likely only by January 10.

Speculation over who’s playing who in Santoshi’s Ramayana has been rife right from the time he announced the project. Initial reports had sug gested that Hrithik Roshan would play Prince Ram.

With the January 14 deadline still over three weeks away, speculation is only likely to increase in the coming days