Internationally acclaimed cinematographer-turned-director Santosh Sivan will play the lead role of legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma in renowned Malayalam director Lenin Rajendran's new period film titled Makaramanju. Karthika, daughter of actress Radha and niece of Ambika, who recently debuted in films with Vasu Varma-directed Josh (Telugu) opposite Naga Chaitanya, will be the heroine. More details are awaited. Meanwhile, after his much-acclaimed Before the Rains, Santosh Sivan is expected to begin his next film on terrorism and the Sri Lankan Tamil issue by the end of this year. Some sources say he also has plans to direct a sequel for his Malayalam mega-blockbuster Yodha (1992). Mohanlal is said to have already allocated dates for the sequel, titled Yodha 2.