Minsara Kanavu - Production

Production

AVM Productions wanted to make a film to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1997 and signed on Prabhu Deva to play a lead role and A. R. Rahman to score the music for this unplanned project, but Rahman was initially reluctant as he had scored music for three of Prabhu Deva's films in the recent past. The producers revealed that they were looking for a new director and Rahman suggested the name of cinematographer, Rajiv Menon to make his directorial debut, after the pair had previously collaborated in jingles for many ad films. Menon thought about the offer for two months and was ultimately convinced by Rahman and Mani Ratnam, who he had been working with in Bombay (1995), to sign the project. Arvind Swamy was then signed up for a role as was Hindi actress Kajol, to make her debut in Tamil films. Kajol revealed that she found dancing alongside Prabhu Deva difficult and took up to twenty retakes and thirty rehearsals for a particular song. Nassar, often seen in intense roles, was signed to play a bubbly character in the film and described the shoot as a "delightful experience". Veteran actors Girish Karnad and V. K. Ramasamy were also added to the cast as was singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who had previously appeared in father roles in Kaadhalan and Kadhal Desam. Actress Arundhati Nag and Prakash Raj also formed part of the cast, while then-assistant director Gautham Menon appears in a cameo role.

The film was shot in 1996 with two songs and the climax being shot at Lawrence School Chapel, Lovedale. Prabhu Deva suffered a throat infection during post-production works and Vikram, then a struggling actor, dubbed for his character while Revathi dubbed for the non-Tamil speaking Kajol.