[2] The cast included Bal Gandharva in his debut role and Chandra Mohan as the villain,[3] with Master Chhotu, K. Narayan Kale, Ratnaprabha, Vasanti and Hari Pandit.

[4] The film is about the "legendary" Marathi religious poet and scholar Sant Eknath (1533–99),[5] author of a variation of the Bhagavata Purana called Eknathi Bhagvata, numerous abhangs and the bharuda form of solo performances.

Chandra Mohan's character was given a "nervous tic in one eye" to make him appear as an ordinary villain, and for expressionistic purposes Shantaram made use of "high-angle close-ups".

The music direction was by Master Krishnarao Phulambrikar, a classical musician who combined with another classicist Bal Gandharva in the film to create "a milestone in Indian cinema".

There were sixteen songs in the film and the singers were Bal Gandharva, Vasant Desai, Ratnaprabha, Vasanti and Master Chhotu.