Buzz is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play a double role in Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan, which is based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's historical novel. Ash will essay the role of the mother as well as the daughter in the film.

It is being said that Ash plays Nandini, wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom, and Nandini's mother, Mandakini Devi's part in the period drama.