The introduction fight scene of Aadu Thoma (Mohanlal) was taken in a single shot.
It was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year 1995, and Mohanlal's Manthrikam was the second top Malayalam grosser of that year.
The film is regarded as a classic in Malayalam cinema, with a cult following.
The film completed more than 250 days of theatrical run.
Mohanlal won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance as the rogue Aadu Thoma/Thomas Chacko.