Keanu Reeves as lord Rama, Kevin Costner as Ravana

Realizing his late brother’s dream, Uru Patel has roped in Hollywood director Luis Mendoki to direct the movie.

Hollywood’s Keanu Reeves and Bollywood’s Shilpa Shetty have reportedly been signed to play lord Rama and his consort Sita. Indian actor Aseem Merchant will play Rama’s younger brother Laxman.

Now, latest reports have it that Kevin Costner will play the part of the demonic Ravana.

Moreover, since the movie will be a contemporary interpretation of Ramayana, the names of the characters will be altered.

According to reports, Ravana will be renamed Robert Ravon, while Laxman will be called Lucky.

It is still not clear as to who will play the title role of Hanuman in the film. Rumours have had it that the role was previously offered to Jackie Chan, but he turned it down. There are some reports that suggest that a young Chinese actor named Cheun Young has been finalized for the part.

There is as yet no confirmation of this by Uru Patel who is keeping extremely secretive about the project.

Sources close to the project are quoted as saying that Keanu Reeves was chosen to play the part of Lord Rama because his angelic face can easily pass off for a deity.

By the way, Keanu Reeves played Lord Buddha in Bernardo Bertolucci’s movie ‘Little Buddha’.

Aseem Merchant Plays Laxman To Keanu Reeves' Rama

Friday 06th of July 2007 NRI producer Uru Patel's film 'Hanuman', starring Keanu Reeves as Rama and Shilpa Shetty as Sita, will have model-turned-Bollywood actor Aseem Merchant playing Laxman.

Aseem was last seen in the derailed thriller 'The Train' as Emraan Hashmi's blackmailer.

Why Aseem, one may well ask since he has been playing largely anti-hero roles in films as far ranging as 'Bullet' and 'The Train'.

According to informed sources, Aseem got this break because the Los Angeles-based producer and his late brother Raju, who actually conceived the 'Hanuman' project but died of cancer, were close friends.

When contacted, Aseem told IANS: 'I am really not allowed to talk about this. But, yes, whatever is happening in my career now will finally put me on the map.'

The actor has also been signed to play the villain opposite Salman Khan in Boney Kapoor's remake of Telugu blockbuster 'Pokiri'.

'Besides trying to find my place as an actor, I'm also trying to be a good father to my eight-year-old daughter,' says Aseem who is divorced, single and not quite ready to mingle.

Is he aware that Riteish Deshmukh plays Laxman to Ajay Devgan's Rama in Raj Santoshi's 'Ramayan'?

'I guess Laxman is a very popular guy,' Aseem chuckled.

House Hugh Laurie,Meet Hollywood

House, on FOX, is a unique medical drama starring British actor Hugh Laurie as the titular character Dr. Gregory House. Taking place in a fictional Teaching Hospital in New Jersey, House focuses the diagnosis of rare ailments. Dr. House may put-off his colleagues and patients alike with his unorthodox tactics, but they can rarely argue with the results.

The good news for House fans?  Gregory House himself, Hugh Laurie, is a part of the distinguished cast, which also includes Chris Evans, Forrest Whitaker, Common, Jay Mohr and Naomie Harris.  The role which Laurie plays is unspecified as of yet, but the mere fact that Laurie is getting high-profile work in Hollywood films is the big story. 

If you only know Hugh Laurie from his work on House, then you're missing out.  For years, Laurie has been a force across the pond, a well-known comic presence who, from time to time, dabbled in the world of drama.  But, he was first and foremost a comedian.  Well, let's go back a second.  In case you were unaware, Hugh Laurie is British.  He is the proud owner of an English accent.  Therefore (you might have sleuthed this bit out already), Laurie has been doing an American accent for House.

Anyway, Laurie is best known for his comedic work, most often paired with long-time comedy partner Stephen Fry.  With Fry, Laurie was a supporting player on Blackadder, a long-running comedy show starring Mr. Bean himself, Rowan Atkinson.  From there, Laurie and Fry got their very own sketch comedy program, appropriately titled “A Bit of Fry and Laurie”. 

In the States, Laurie has shown off his comedic prowess, as well.  Besides a number of cameos is big-name projects (including a scene-stealing appearance on Friends), Laurie hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live last season and acquitted himself quite nicely. 

I think House fans can agree: the more Hugh Laurie, the better.

Keanu springs back into action in LA

After starring in the hit romantic drama The Lakehouse opposite Sandra Bullock last year, it looks like Toronto-raised Keanu Reeves is back in action-man mode as he donned his police uniform on the Hollywood set of his new flick The Night Watchman. The actor, who famously starred as a heroic young cop in 1994's blockbuster hit Speed, has also ditched his unshaven look in favour of a smooth close-shave for the new thriller.

In the movie, which was penned by LA Confidential's James Ellroy, Keanu's character - veteran LAPD cop Tom Ludlow - is struggling to deal with the death of his wife. But when evidence implicates him in the death of another officer, he is forced into action and begins to question the loyalties of those around him. House star Hugh Laurie and Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker are also among the stellar cast-members.

The 42-year-old Matrix actor has also apparently turned down another opportunity to play an action hero in a film of a similar name entitled Watchmen. The comic book adaptation is set to begin filming in Vancouver in September and will star British hunk Jude Law and John Cusack. Keanu was rumoured to have been offered a leading role.