Writer Jeyamohan introduced Vasanthabalan to a book called Enathu Naadaga Vazhkai, an autobiography of theatre doyen Avvai Shanmugham, which helped him script Kaaviya Thalaivan.
Vasanthabalan was also inspired by the 1979 film, Sankarabharanam, and the 1983 film Salangai Oli, by director Kasinathuni Viswanath.Research work was carried out for an year, wherein facts and references were collected from veteran theatre artists belonging to different theatre clubs existing in Madurai, Dindigul, and Karur.As the film portrays the lives of theatre artists, the facial looks of characters were given prime importance for which make-up artist Pattanam Rasheed was signed up.Perumal Selvam and Niranjani Ahathian designed the costumes for the characters.Niranjani Ahathian also did additional make-up for the film.Jeyamohan later said the settings used for shooting the play sequences in the film provided ample space to explore the past.[Vedhika prepared for her role by watching the 1966 Tamil fim Saraswathi Sabatham and drama videos.All the actors were asked by Vasanthabalan to 'add their personal touch to their respective characters to make everything look authentic'.Late choreographer Raghuram master choreographed for the song 'Thiruppugazh' sung by Vani Jairam.AR Rahman underwent six months of research for the music of the film to relate it with the era of 1920sThe film's soundtrack has seven original songs and fourteen bits that form the score of the film.The film was dubbed into Malayalam as Pradhi Nayagan and into Telugu as Premaalayam, and released simultaneously.The film was made on a budget of 15 crore.Anaikha Soti, who debuted in RGV's Satya 2, made her Tamil debut with Kaaviya Thalaivan.Here are a few more snapshots from the romantic drama.