Director Kamal has opened up about his admiration for actress Mamitha Baiju, recalling how he once wanted to cast her as the female lead in one of his films. However, the project was later shelved.

Speaking on the Portrayals by Gaddafi podcast, Kamal revealed that he was impressed by Mamitha's performance in Kho Kho and wanted to cast her in a film that was under discussion at the time. However, the film's hero and producer were reportedly reluctant to cast her, as they preferred an established actress for the female lead. Kamal expressed his disappointment over not being able to cast her and remarked that the producer might now regret the decision.

Kamal also said that Mamitha is among his most admired actors of the new generation. He said he was particularly impressed by her performance in Kho Kho, which convinced him that she had the potential to carry a prominent female character. This prompted him to consider her for the lead role in his film.

"She performed that role exceptionally well. That is why I was determined to cast Mamitha as the heroine in the film," Kamal said.

He added that he had discussed his choice with the film's producer and hero. However, they were unwilling to cast a newcomer in such an important role, as they believed the female lead required an established actress. Kamal also recalled that his interest in casting Mamitha grew further after watching Super Sharanya. He informed the producer that he would try to convince the hero about her suitability for the role.

With that confidence, the director approached Mamitha Baiju with the script. Despite the character having negative shades, Mamitha reportedly showed considerable interest in the story. Recalling the meeting, Kamal said, "I still remember the expressions on her face while I was narrating the story to her. Her mother also asked me to inform them about the dates in advance."

Unfortunately, Kamal could not convince the hero and producer, who remained adamant about casting an established star instead of a newcomer. He also expressed his disappointment over the interference of the actor and producer in the film's casting process, saying that he had never faced such a situation before.

"However, I told them, 'This girl will become a big heroine in the future. Wait and see'," he recalled. Kamal added that he had recognised Mamitha Baiju's potential long before she established herself as a prominent star in Malayalam cinema.