For the lead role of Gulikan, Mani P.R was selected. Mani who had earlier won the 2006 Kerala State Film Award as a Child Actor in his debut feature Photographer, was initially reluctant to take up the role having been disillusioned after facing rejections from the film industry and personal tragedies. It was only after his wife's intervention, he finally accepted the role. Grooming the actor for the role took six months. Mani also helped to translate the script to Paniya language as required by the story.
