96 is cinematographer Prem Kumar's directorial debut. Prem, who had handled the camera for VJS's Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, hadnt worked as an asst director to any filmmaker prior to the film.
Prem Kumar had written the entire script in 20 days in December 2015 during the Chennai floods when he was stuck inside his apartment.According to Prem Kumar, the inspiration for 96's script came from his high school reunion, that he was invited for.Prem apparently missed the reunion, but when talking to his classmates, he was fascinated by two persons that they were talking about. He met those two and heard their story, which inspired 96.The film's story was originally supposed to happen over a week. The time was changed to 24 hours, and eventually to a night, as Prem thought it made the conflict stronger.Prem Kumar later revealed that Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha were his first and only choices for playing Ram and Jaanu.Trisha's character was named Jaanu after the legendary singer Janaki Devi Amma. The crew later released a video that showed Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha meeting Janaki Amma, and seeking her blessings.The team used the childhood picture of Gouri G Kishan (who played the younger Janu) in the scene where Trisha shows her daughter picture to Ram.Devadharshini's real-life daughter, Niyathi Kadambi, played the younger version of her role.Ram tells about his life in chronological order to his student. He starts with his parents' marriage, then moves on to his birth, food, temple, and ends his account with a description of a bridge.That bridge happens to be the place where Jaanu leaves him; where his life freezes and stops.Subhashree Kaarthik, who was the costume designer for 96, was a close friend of Prem Kumar. She created the look of the lead female character Jaanu based on her own dressing sense.The yellow kurta outfit worn by Trisha's character Jaanu became popular after the film's release and was sold by textile stores all around TN.96 was Govind Vasantha's 96 third Tamil film as a composer and the second to get released, because of the delay of his maiden project, Oru Pakka Kathai.The song Kaathalae Kaathalae, which was featured in a 1-minute teaser, was a slower, 'ambience version' of a part of the Anthaathi song that Govind had produced because 'he was in the mood'.Kaathalae was not meant to be included in the film or the soundtrack, but when the teaser song went viral, Govind Vasantha made a 3-minute-song that went on to be featured in the movie.Anthaathi, however, was not used in the film.Chinmayi sang all the female portions in the songs since she also dubbed for Jaanu, while Gouri TP, who spoke dubbing for younger Jaanu, sang the song 'Yen' which features the younger Jaanu on screenThroughout the film there's a gap between ram and jaanu. According to Prem, the diverging pattern of parallel lines represent that they are not destined to be together.Prem Kumar had later revealed that he had written a spin-off novel of what happens to the Ram and Jaanu, afterwards Jaanu leaves for Singapore.Upon release, 96 was reported to have 'uncanny similarities' with the 2016 film Blue Jay, with Prem admitting to it, although he added that he had already registered his film before Blue Jay released.Bengaluru-based Tamil writer C. Saravanakarthikeyan wrote a book based on the film titled 96 – Thanipperum Kadhal, which was released by Prem Kumar in late December 2018.Inspired by the film, Gulbonda, a Calicut-based art studio created dolls based on the film's two main characters, Ram and Jaanu, which became sought-after by fans.Two cinematographers - Mahendiran Jayaraju and N. Shanmuga Sundaram - shot the film.A month into the successful run, Sun TV announced a TV premiere on Diwali. Following this, Trisha and director Premkumar, requested the channel to postpone the premiere, which the channel ignored.The film's Telugu remake, also directed by Premkumar, stars Sharwanand and Samantha Akkineni in the kead, with Gouri G Kishan reprising her role as the younger Janu.The Telugu remake, also directed by Premkumar, stars Sharwanand and Samantha Akkineni in the kead, with Gouri G Kishan reprising her role as Younger Janu.