In the next couple of weeks, Mani Ratnam will start shooting for his forthcoming film "Kadal", which has yesteryear hero Karthik's son Gautham and Samantha in lead roles. Before that, the director, in association with A R Rahman, will complete recording songs for the movie.

'Two songs have already been composed, sung and recorded. Lyrics from both the numbers are from "Vairamuthu Kavithaigal", a book of poems penned by Vairamuthu. Mani Ratnam handpicked the poems and asked Rahman to convert it as songs,' sources say.

Arjun and veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu's daughter Lakshmi Manchu are playing crucial roles in "Kadal", which is about the lives of fishermen in southern Tamil Nadu. Script is by popular Tamil writer Jeyamohan.

'Mani Ratnam is planning to complete the shooting by August, after which he will take two months' time for post-production works. If things go as planned, "Kadal" will hit the screens for Deepavali,' add sources.