The project, "Virumbugiren", was launched at Hotel Chola Sheraton, Chennai on 19 January 2000 with Susi Ganeshan, an erstwhile assistant of Mani Ratnam being introduced as a director. It was announced that the film would have cinematography by K. V. Anand, music by Deva, lyrics by Vairamuthu, art by Thota Tharani editing by Suresh Urs and special effects by Venki; and it would be produced by Vandana Bhatt and Mary Francis under the banner of V.M. Creations. The event was compered by Uma Padmanabhan, while attendees included Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam and Prabhu Deva. Actor Vivek refused a role in the film citing that the script was so good that there was no need for a separate comedy track, while Prashanth underwent special training for his role as a fire fighter. Sneha applied for a role in the film after seeing and advertisement for the auditions in a newspaper. The story of the film was taken from one of Susi Ganeshan's novels titled "Vakkappatta Bhoomi".