Will Hrithik play Ram? Deepika Sita?

There have been many screen adaptations of the Ramayan.

But none will match the scale, expanse and expense of Producer Madhu Mantena's interpretation of the epic, which is set to start filming shortly.

Mantena, who recently bought over the shares of Phantom Films from his partners Anurag Kashyap, Vikaramditya Motwane and Vikas Bahl, is all set to fly solo, and his dream project Ramayan will be his flag-bearing project.

According to sources, Mantena's big-screen Ramayan will be in 3D and budgeted at Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion).

Nitesh Tiwari, who directed Aamir Khan in Dangal, will hold the directorial reins.

The film will be of inordinate length, as no aspect of the Ramayan will be left out.

Mantena may release it as two full-length feature films.

"These are sensitive times and the last thing the Ramayan needs is an underwhelming treatment or a revisionist screenplay," a source tells Subhash K Jha.

"Mantena has deployed several researchers to project absolute accuracy and preserve the sanctity in his film version of the epic."

The cast of A-listers is being finalised.

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone are the front-runners for Ram and Sita.

Ravi Udyawar, who directed Sridevi's last film Mom, will also be associated with the film.