After directing two films – 16 Vayathinile (1977) and Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) – which were set in villages, Bharathirajaa chose to set his third film, the thriller Sigappu Rojakkal in the city to circumvent criticism that he could only make village-based films.
After directing two movies set in rural locations, 16 Vayathinile (1977) and Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978), Bharathirajaa decided to film his third movie, Sigappu Rojakkal, in the city to counter accusations that he only made films about villages.