It is based on the play [Im]perfect Murder by P. V. Y. Raman.

Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam is based on the English-language play [Im]perfect Murder, written by P. V. Y. Raman and staged by United Amateur Artistes.

The dialogues for the film adaptation were written by Chithralaya Gopu.

[5] A preview of Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam was held on 10 September 1987.

[7] BR of The Indian Express appreciated Mahendran's direction, Viswanathan's music and Babu's cinematography, but felt Jaishankar was "wooden more often than not, melodramatic otherwise".