In the mid-1980’s, Muktha Srinivasan narrated a story inspired by The Godfather to Sivaji Ganesan, who agreed to act in the film. Amala and Kamal Hassan were also confirmed to act. But later this decision was dropped.
Before working in Nayagan, Mani Ratnam approached Kamal Haasan first time with the script of his debut film Pallavi Anu Pallavi. When Mani met Kamal to narrate the story of PAP, Kamal narrated five stories in return.
Before arriving at a Varadharaja Mudaliar inspired biopic, Kamal Haasan had sent the tape of Shammi Kapoor’s Pagla Kahin Kato to Mani Ratnam through Muktha Srinivasan – the producer of Nayagan.
Mani wanted Kamal to have as realistic look as possible. He preferred Hassan in traditional Hindu attire, as opposed to the usual, bearded, and suited gangsters.
Kamal Hassan’s Velu Nayakan’s old-age look is heavily influenced by Marlon Brando’s role in The Godfather
Saranya was the only person who auditioned for the role of Velu Nayakan’s wife. And she got selected in the screen test right awa as Mani Ratnam was impressed by her look
Raghuvaran was the first choice to play Charumati’s husband character but later Kamal suggested Nassar for this role to Mani Ratnam
The initial budget for the film was 6 million but the producers ended spending more than 10 million by the end of shooting of this film
Thota Tharani created Dharavi set at Venus Studios, Chennai using photographs as reference.
Thenpaandi Cheemaiyile (Tamil) – Nee Gudu Chedirindi (Telugu) was the first thing Ilaiyaraja played when Mani Ratnam narrated the story to him during their first sitting for the film’s composing.
Although Kamal has acknowledged Nayakan being inspired by The Godfather, Mani Ratnam has denied this, stating, ‘It’s easy to classify films in simple categories. There’s no similarity to The Godfather.’
Nayakudu is Ilayaraja’s 400th film
The Censor Board at Chennai initially refused to permit the release of Nayakan, as it was based on a living person
Nayakudu was India’s official submission for the academy award for best foreign language film in 1988 at the 60th academy awards; but it was not shortlisted
Kamal and Mani met Varadaraja Mudaliar in person, and it was Mudaliar who suggested to Ratnam that Velu Nayakan should die in the end