After the release of Pithamagan (2003), Bala began to work on a script, for which he sought inspiration from a scene in Anbe Sivam which had inspired him to base his film on aghoris.
Kamal Haasan's statement in Anbe Sivam that 'we all become gods when we love others unconditionally' apparently inspired Bala to research the aghori life
Bala then decided to adapt a portion of Jeyamohan's novel, Yezhaam Ulagam, and incorporate his protagonist traits into it. Jeyamohan also wrote the dialogues for the film.
Bala approached Ajith Kumar to play the lead in the film, to be produced by AM Rathnam.
Ajith signed a contract for the film stating that he would work in the film for 150 days, and the project was titled Naan Kadavul.
However Ratnam, the producer of the film dropped out subsequently, opting to concentrate on his Telugu film Bangaram and his son's venture, Kedi
Cleeny, sister of actress Gopika, was considered for the role of the blind female lead. But, ultimately, Meera Jasmine was selected after an audition.
As pre-production continued, Ajith grew his hair for the role and subsequently appeared in a song in the much-delayed film, Varalaru with the long hair he grew for Naan Kadavul, when doing patchwork.
The film was briefly shelved in late 2005 for lack of a producer and Ajith moved on to sign other films such as Paramasivan, which was initially set to be produced by Bala, and Perarasu's Thirupathi.
The film then re-emerged and in April 2006, with Bala revealing Arthur A. Wilson as the cinematographer, and Krishnamoorthy as the art director.
Ilaiyaraaja was now roped in to compose the film's music. And Ajith was supposed to be shooting for the film in Varanasi soon. Location scouting was actively happening.
However, as the film yet again failed to take off, Ajith finally pulled out of the project in June 2006 stating he could wait no longer for Bala.
Suriya was named as a potential replacement, but the actor was committed to several other films during the period.
Bala wanted to have Narain, who made his debut earlier with Chithiram Pesuthadi, for the lead role but producers wanted a more saleable name, and hence Arya was signed up
Arya was eager to appear in the film but had already given dates to Saran for Vattaram, and unsuccessfully attempted to drop out of that film to allot dates for Naan Kadavul.
Saran's refusal meant that Arya had to complete Vattaram before joining Bala's team. But, Bala and his team waited for the actor.
Bala stated in an interview that the actor who plays Rudhran shouldn't reflect mercy when we look into his eyes. Hence, Arya was selected.
. Bhavana, who was fresh out of Chithiram Pesuthadi, was now signed up to play the blind female lead, replacing Meera Jasmine.
Ravi, director of Vignesh starrer Aacharya and Kannan, director of Raasaiyya, made their debuts as actors with Naan Kadavul.
Rajendran, a fight master who earlier appeared in a small role in director Bala's previous film Pithamagan was selected to play main villain thus making his debut as full-fledged actor.
The film also introduced 175 new faces, in which most of them were physically challenged people.
The film was consequently launched in June 2006 at Hotel Green Park, Chennai with P. L. Thenappan's Sri Rajalakshmi Films as producers.
The first photo shoot of the film showed Bhavana and images of Arya in different postures of Yoga including Sirasasanam and Padmasanam.
The shoot happened in Varanasi in 2007, with Arya opting against working in any other films till Naan Kadavul was complete.
Meanwhile, Producer Thennapan backed out of the film, but Srinivasan of Vasan Visual Ventures took over soon after.
Bhavana also walked out of the film in early 2007 as she was unable to allot dates for the film and a search for another new cast member began.
Meenakshi, Anjali and Parvathi Menon were heavily linked to the role to replace Bhavana, but none of them were selected.
Subsequently, Karthika, who had played the lead in Thootukudi and Pirappu, was selected and she was made to beg in the streets of Periyakulam during an audition. However Bala was still unimpressed.
Neetu Chandra, was flown down to Theni for a test shoot but Bala felt she did not have the looks for the role of a beggar girl.
Actress Pooja was later finalised as lead actress in September 2007 and joined the sets of the film in Periyakulam in late 2007.
She revealed that she went to the audition of the film only after being compelled by director Seeman and thought twice about accepting the film due to her commitments in a Sinhalese film.
The film, which had been in making for over three years, finally released on 6 February 2009.
Upon release the film received critical acclaim, winning two National Film Awards (Best Director Award for Bala, best makeup for UK Sasi), four Vijay Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
The audio, with 7 songs by Raja, was released on 1 January 2009
Lyrics have been penned by Vaali except for the track Pitchai Paathiram which was penned by Raja himself, and the title song 'Maa Ganga' was written by Bharath Achaarya.
The song 'Matha Un Kovilil' was reused from Raja's own song which he had composed for Achchani (1978).
The 'Om Sivoham'song is being playing in kasi every morning at 4 as a ritual.
The Kannil paarvai sung was famously sung by Shreya Ghoshal.
The film, made at 7 crore, was a successful venture at the box-office.
At 127 mins, Naan Kadavul was one of Bala's shortest films.
The film was also dubbed in Hindi as Pandav — The Punch and in Telugu as Nenu Devudini.
Here are a few more snapshots from the film and its making...
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