Chennai, Dec 31 (IANS): Director Mahi Raghav says he didn't expect actress Taapsee Pannu to sign his upcoming yet-untitled Telugu horror-comedy, especially after the success of "Pink".

However, she proved him wrong.

"I pitched the story to Taapsee last December, and it took one whole year for the project to materialise. Back then, 'Pink' had not released and I was hopeful she would do my film. As I got busy finding a producer and locking the final draft of the script, 'Pink' had released and she had won over everybody," Raghav told IANS.

He said he never expected her to accept his offer.

"Post 'Pink', I never thought she would do my film. I assumed she would get busy in Bollywood and won't have time for my project. But she showed a lot of faith in my film. Even as I waited to find a producer, she kept in touch and that really encouraged me," he said.

Slated to go on the floors early next year, the film also stars Srinivas Reddy, Vennela Kishore, Shakalaka Shankar and Jayaprakash Reddy.

While Ron Yohann is composing the music, Vijay and Shashi are producing the film under 70 mm Entertainment banner.