It has been confirmed that Deepika Padukone will play Superstar Rajinikanth’s leading lady in "Kochadaiyaan 3D".

Initially, the female lead role for the forthcoming Tamil film "Kochadaiyaan" was offered to several Bollywood actresses including Katrina Kaif. Deepika Padukone has finally managed to sign the role.

“Deepika Padukone has been confirmed as heroine in "Kochadaiyaan",” film unit sources said. It may be recalled that the actress, who was roped in for Rajinikanth’s Rana, found it difficult to allot the dates after the movie got delayed following the superstar’s illness.

Soundarya Rajinikanth, daughter of India’s only Superstar Rajinikanth, who directs the movie has ended weeks of speculation and announced that Deepika Padukone will be the lead actress of "Kochadaiyaan". As is customary these days, she broke the news on her micro-blogging page saying: “Guys. Deepika Padukone confirmed to play appa' s pair in "Kochadaiyaan" :) great to have you back with us @deepikapadukone :):) big hug!”

Soundarya also confirms that she and her tech team from the UK and US are hard at work on the film. The shoot will begin in March but pre-production is on. AR Rahman had earlier recorded a song for the film with Germany’s Babelsberg Orchestra in Mumbai.

The movie has already garnered attention with its first look, a still with Rajnikanth sporting six-pack, beard and a yogi-like hairdo, setting off anticipation about the movie among cine-buffs.

The star cast of "Kochadaiyaan", which will be a hi-tech 3D film, reportedly includes Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, another top Tamil star R Sarath Kumar, Sneha, Aadhi, Nasser and Shobana.