Piaa Bajpai in Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's next

Southern actress Piaa Bajpai, known for films such as "Ko" and "Bale Pandiya", will feature in actor-filmmaker Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's yet-untitled Tamil directorial which is expected to go on the floors in March.

"The male lead is yet to be finalized but Piaa will play the female lead in the film. Shruti Hariharan of Kannada independent film 'Lucia' fame will play an important role as well," Lakshmy told IANS.

The film is inspired by the recent petrol crisis in Tamil Nadu.

"The film is based on the simple premise that all of us need a crisis to realize the value of a relationship. Can we imagine a life without oil? If there was a petrol crisis, how will we react to it? If there was no petrol crisis, my film can't be made," she added.

Lakshmy, who turned director with the critically acclaimed "Aarohanam", has teamed up with producer A.V Anoop for the second time.

The film will be produced by Anoop's home banner AVA Productions.

Also starring Thambi Ramaiah, Y. G Mahendran and A.L Alagappan, the film will be shot in Chennai, Malaysia, Kumbakonam, Coimbatore and Pondicherry.