Mani Ratnam isn't known as a tough task master for nothing. He may have chosen the Punjabi 'kudi' Sonam Kapoor for his yet untitled Tamil film. However that doesn't mean that Sonam can make an escape with just her acting talent. She would also have to get the language right and it's a clear diktat from Ratnam that she has to brush up her Tamil skills in quick time.

Informs our source, "Earlier there were talks that Sonam voice may be dubbed by a professional dubbing artist. Still, Mani sir doesn't want that to be an excuse for her to take it easy. She has been asked to learn the language and understand the vocabulary while mouthing her lines on the sets. He wants Sonam to know the intricacies of Tamil language really well and expects the right coordination between the body language and dialogue delivery."

Fortunately for Sonam, the requirement has come well in advance since the film would go on floors only late next year. Though earlier there were plans of Mani Ratnam beginning the shoot by March, there are certain other logistics and considerations to be addressed first which means Sonam has almost a year at her disposal.

"Sonam is excited as well about this opportunity, more so since Mani sir would be directing the film," informs a friend of the actress, "Her father (Anil Kapoor) had also done a Telugu and Kannada film at the beginning of his career and learnt the language. Now Sonam doesn't want to shy away from that. She has already firmed up plans for her Tamil classes which would kick-start sometimes next summer. She wants to give as many as six months to learning the language before she readies herself for Mani sir's instructions."

Hope dear sir is impressed!