Karthi is learning to fly for Mani Ratnam's film

Actor Karthi, who plays a pilot in filmmaker Mani Ratnam's yet-untitled Tamil romantic drama, is currently undergoing a crash course in flying.

"Karthi is learning the basics of flying, which includes even simple things like how to be seated while in the pilot's seat. It will be a 2-3 weeks crash course and upon completion, the makers will finally take the film on the floors," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

Karthi plays an NRI in the film. He falls in love while on a trip to India with a doctor, which will be played by Aditi Rao Hydari.

Although the project was originally supposed to star Sai Pallavi; she was recently replaced by Aditi.

The regular shooting of the project is supposed to start from June, and the team is targeting a year end release.

Produced by Ratnam's Madras Talkies, the film will have music by A.R Rahman and cinematography by Ravi Varman.

Meanwhile, Karthi is also busy wrapping up work on his upcoming Tamil film, "Kashmora