Initially envisioned with Rajinikanth or leading Telugu actors like Venkatesh or Nagarjuna, the film finally starred Kamal Haasan in a dual role. Manisha Koirala and Sukanya were selected as the female leads, while Urmila Matondkar played a significant role in the film. The movie noted for its social messages, became a blockbuster in Kollywood, winning accolades for its performances, art direction, and special effects at the national level. A.R. Rahman's music, particularly the song 'Uppunuthala', added to its success, making it a cultural phenomenon with widespread popularity.