The year-long preparation by one of India's greatest actors is finally over. Today, Kamal Haasan [Images] began shooting for Dasavatharam, one of the most talked about films in recent times. For the past year, Haasan has been travelling mainly to the US to perfect the make-up for the film, where he dons 10 get-ups like Lord Mahavishnu himself.

The shooting was originally to take place at the 2000-year old Airavatheeshwarar temple near Kumbakonam, but permission was denied as it was a heritage structure. So, for the last 15 days, 500 workers worked round the clock on a 5-acre plot at Muthukadu, a place on the East Coast Road in Chennai, to recreate the temple with the aid of art director Samir Chanda.

Kamal Haasan will be a Vaishnavite saint at the temple in his first avatar, and acting with him will be the young Asin. Mallika Sherawat [Images] is also expected to join the crew by the end of this month.

Haasan's former wife, Sarika [Images], used to be his costume designer until they got separated. The role has now fallen on the shoulders of former actress Gowthami. Ravi Varman was supposed to be the cinematographer, but it is Jeeva who will now take charge. The music is by Himesh Reshammiya [Images].

With Gowtham Menon's Vettayadu Vilayadu reaching theatres and K S Ravi Kumar's Dasavtharam finally rolling, it seems like exciting times ahead for those who love the films of Kamal Haasan.