 Initially Ravi developed the film with for Mohanlal in the lead role as a reboot to the Major Mahadevan film series.But when approached, he was reluctant to take the role, because, he felt that the character did not match with his age, and said it would be more suitable for a younger actor.He also doubted how people would accept a 'Havildar Mahadevan' since the fictional character was normally portrayed in higher rank in the earlier films.