Nana Patekar to direct second film with Deepika Padukone

Bangalore, Jan 20 (IANS) Versatile actor Nana Patekar says he will direct his second Hindi film soon and that he has finalised Deepika Padukone for the lead role.

'Yes, I am directing a film,' Nana told reporters at a press meet of his first Kannada film 'Yaksha' here Wednesday.

'I have already written the script of the film and have selected Deepika Padukone to play the lead role. I haven't yet finalised other artists and technicians for the film.'

'I am going to my native village in Maharashtra in a few days to make preparations for the film. I have not finalised the launch date of the film. But it will be worked out very soon,' he added.

Nana wielded megaphone for the first time for 'Prahaar' that had Madhuri Dixit in the lead role.

The actor, who will be seen in Prakash Jha's political thriller 'Rajneeti', also said: 'I have not signed any new film after 'Rajneeti'.'

Nana has completed 13 days' shooting schedule of 'Yaksha', which is his second south Indian film after 'Bharathi Raja'. He played a possessive film director in the thriller that didn't score well at the box office.

'This Kannada film features me in a special role,' said Nana.

'Yaksha' is being produced by Siddaraju and is directed by debutant director Ramesh Rao.

Young actor Yogeesh is playing the lead, while Ruby will be seen as his love interest. Chandrashekhar is the cameraman of the film while Manju Mandavya has written the dialogues.