In the first week of March 1992, the newspaper "Dina Thanthi" announced K. Balachander's production house Kavithalayaa Productions' next film "Annaamalai", with Vasanth as director and Rajinikanth as lead actor. When the title was announced, some people had misgivings because of the saying "Annamalaikku Arohara" (Hail Hara, Lord of Annamalai) which has negative connotations; however Balachander refused to change it. After completing work on "Jaagruti" on 8 March, Suresh Krissna left for Madras the next morning; he had not yet signed any film. Upon arrival the same day, he was informed that Balachander, his mentor, was waiting for him. Krissna visited Balachander, who told him that Vasanth had left "Annaamalai", which was scheduled to begin filming in two days and its release fixed for June. When asked if he would direct, Krissna received an advance of and accepted. Vasanth has never expanded on why he left, saying it was only due to "personal reasons". Visu claimed he was hired as the director before Vasanth, but due to some contradiction with Rajinikanth, he opted out.