Gautham Menon asked Mani Ratnam about whether he felt any fear about adapting a widely-beloved novel for the big screen. In response, Mani said, "No, I trusted Kalki, you know, and he's the author.

‘There is a man named Mani Shankar Aiyar/ Whose memoirs are steeped in wit and satire. But since he laughs at himself/ This book, fresh off the shelf/ Has plenty of mirth, not unadulterated ire.’ ...