section_path: Production/Development
section_name: Development
paragraph_text: Development
  
  The film was officially announced by Mohanlal in mid-March 2024, with Tharun Moorthy set to direct. Moorthy co-wrote the screenplay with K. R. Sunil, while M. Renjith of Rejaputhra Visual Media took on production responsibilities. Filming was planned to begin in April. In an interview, Moorthy revealed that following the success of his previous film, Saudi Vellakka (2022), Renjith expressed interest in collaborating on a new project. Moorthy and Sunil spent eight months developing the screenplay, which was eventually greenlit. The project had the working title L360, marking Mohanlal's 360th film. Although the team had already finalized a title by the time the screenplay was completed, they opted to use a temporary title during production.
  
  Thudarum originated from a story conceptualized by Sunil, a documentary photographer who frequently travels in search of subjects for his works. Sunil revealed that the story was inspired by an encounter during one such journey, involving a person and a sight. Renjith and Sunil approached Moorthy to direct the project, believing he was suitable to handle its "nuanced characters" and "emotional depth". Mohanlal had been attached to the film even before Moorthy's involvement, having expressed interest in the story "a long time ago". Speculation arose linking Thudarum to Benz Vasu, an unrealized project of Mohanlal, written by Sunil with G. Prajith attached as director. Moorthy clarified that Thudarum was a different project developed from scratch based on a character and an event concept presented by the production team. The screenplay was completed after five drafts.
  
  The film was officially announced by Mohanlal in mid-March 2024, with Tharun Moorthy set to direct. Moorthy co-wrote the screenplay with K. R. Sunil, while M. Renjith of Rejaputhra Visual Media took on production responsibilities. Filming was planned to begin in April. In an interview, Moorthy revealed that following the success of his previous film, Saudi Vellakka (2022), Renjith expressed interest in collaborating on a new project. Moorthy and Sunil spent eight months developing the screenplay, which was eventually greenlit. The project had the working title L360, marking Mohanlal's 360th film. Although the team had already finalized a title by the time the screenplay was completed, they opted to use a temporary title during production.
  
  Thudarum originated from a story conceptualized by Sunil, a documentary photographer who frequently travels in search of subjects for his works. Sunil revealed that the story was inspired by an encounter during one such journey, involving a person and a sight. Renjith and Sunil approached Moorthy to direct the project, believing he was suitable to handle its "nuanced characters" and "emotional depth". Mohanlal had been attached to the film even before Moorthy's involvement, having expressed interest in the story "a long time ago". Speculation arose linking Thudarum to Benz Vasu, an unrealized project of Mohanlal, written by Sunil with G. Prajith attached as director. Moorthy clarified that Thudarum was a different project developed from scratch based on a character and an event concept presented by the production team. The screenplay was completed after five drafts.