Produced by DMK politician J. Anbazhagan, the film stars Ravi Mohan in the titular dual role as the hero (Aadhi) and villain (Bhagavan) along with Neetu Chandra, Saiju Kurup and Sudha Chandran.
The film follows Aadhi, a Thailand-based gangster living separately from his mother and sister due to his criminal activities.
His life changes when he rescues a young waitress from goons and soon finds himself drawn in a violent conspiracy hatched by Bhagavan, his Mumbai-based lookalike.
Ameer, after giving a hat-trick of hits, was expected to commence a project titled Kannabiran featuring Jayam Ravi, which was initially to start in 2007.
In February 2010, Ameer officially announced his new project at a press meet, stating that he had shelved Kannabiran for the time being, and instead began working on a different script for a film with Jayam Ravi, which was titled as Aadhi Bhagavan.
Talks were held with Priyamani,[14] and Mamta Mohandas to play the role of a modern NRI, with the latter even confirming in May/June 2010 to be part of the film,[15][16] despite call sheet and date complications.
[18] She was eventually replaced by Neetu Chandra, who was approached by Ameer, while working with him in Myshkin's Yuddham Sei.
For a pivotal role as the lead character's mother, television actress Sudha Chandran was signed up in May 2010.
[20] Malayalam actor Saiju Kurup was roped in to essay the role of the main antagonist; he would portray a Mumbai-based Assistant Police Commissioner.
[21] Sakshi Shivanand was selected to perform an item number alongside 150 foreign dancers at specially erected set in April 2011.
[25][26] After the lead actress had been finalized, the film crew returned to Thailand in September that year for the subsequent schedule that took place at the beach resort Pattaya which was decorated as hero's office by art director Jacki,[27] following which couple of scenes were canned in Mumbai and Chennai.
[11] Ameer started the third schedule in early February 2011 with shoots being held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and Bhuj, Gujarat.
[28] Jayam Ravi then moved on to finish his other ongoing project, Engeyum Kadhal for that he also sported a different look, as a result of which the filming of Aadhi Bhagavan came to a halt;[29] it recommenced in December 2011.
[31] Although filming was supposed to be completed with the Goa schedule,[32] the crew moved to Rajasthan by early July 2012 to shoot a couple of climax action sequences in the deserts of Jaisalmer and Jaipur,[33] which could not be shot during the previous schedule due to Neetu Chandra's absence, who had left to shoot for an international project.
[34] A fight sequence between two Jayam Ravis was shot in Bhojpur district during a 15-day schedule, seven cameras were said to have been used for the scene.
[39] A press statement in June 2012 announced that Aadhi Bhagavan would become the first Tamil film to feature 7.1 surround sound at standard resolution.
[40] As with Ameer's previous directorials, the film score and soundtrack were composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and lyrics were written by Snehan.
[70] Writing for The Hindu, Malathi Rangarajan praised Ravi's performance and Chandra's martial arts skills showcased in the action scenes, but found the characters and situations predictable.
She also criticized the placement of voice-overs translating the Hindi dialogues into Tamil, as they gave the feel of a dubbed film.
[72] Later Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), filed a petition against the film, seeking a ban on it, as the title was meant objectionable to the group, and they also demanded a statewide protest.
[75][76] A member from the censor board registered a complaint against Ameer, to the city police commissioner citing that, the officials had asked him for a bribe amount to receive a U/A or U certificate to the film.
[77] The officials claimed that post the release of Vishwaroopam, the censor board tightened the rules and the film was given an A certificate for the mafia storyline.