About Mohanlal's performance in the film, French cinematographer Renato Berta said that Mohanlal was born in the wrong side of the word, otherwise he would have won an Oscar.
Mohanlal learned Kathakali for the film under various renowned masters and performed the difficult dance form with perfection, which was widely praised by critics as well as his masters.
The most famous and renowned Kathakali master, Kalamandalam Gopi, who played a major role in the film, later named Mohanlal "the greatest Indian actor".
The film was screened at the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, a rare milestone in Malayalam cinema.
Mohanlal received a 5 minute standing-ovation when the film was screened at the Un Certain Regards section of Cannes Film Festival.