MUMBAI: Despite the dismal business done by the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Asoka, directed by Santosh Sivan in 2001, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi plans to make this historical on a big canvas soon.

Santoshi is busy completing Halla Bol, which is currently in the post-production stages. When asked about the proposed film, he neither confirms nor denies the project.

However, reliable sources say that Santoshi has finalised a historical script, based on the life and times of Emperor Asoka.  A lot of research work has been done for the film and Ajay Devgan has been pencilled in to play the central role. The title has not yet been finalised but the shooting is expected to commence in August this year and Santoshi plans to wind up the film by December.

Leading art directors from the industry are busy erecting a lavish set for the film, which will also be shot in the forests of Thailand, Leh and India. Santoshi also plans to make another mega mythological project, Ramayan, next year after completing the film on Asoka.