Noted Malayalam director Ranjith's latest Prithviraj-Priyamani starrer Thirakkatha evoked an unpleasant controversy in the South after a number of reports alleged the film's plot is based on one of the biggest Kollywood romances of the late 70's between Kamal Haasan and late actress Srividya. He has now accepted that his film is partly based on the life of the late actress. Earlier, Ranjith denied all reports on the Kamal-Srividya romance in the film during a 'meet the press' programme in Kozhikode, which was attended by actress Samvritha Sunil. At the same time, he also agreed that Thirakkatha could have some unintended similarities with the life and ailment of Srividya. Ranjith revealed that the film's plot was conceived after Srividya's meeting with Kamal Haasan shortly before her death. "When Srividya was ill, she wasn't willing to meet anyone from the film industry. The first thought of Thirakkatha came to me when I heard of her one-hour meeting with Kamal" he elaborated. He also quoted actress Rohini as having said that the film spoke for all heroines. However, he pointed out that the film was an attempt to make a different kind of cinema. It is virtually impossible to get producers for films without superstars in Malayalam cinema these days. That wasn't the case earlier; directors like Padmarajan and Bharathan were completely backed by their producers. I found it difficult to find producers for such a film. This film became possible because Prithviraj was willing to act in it and Subair decided to co-produce the film with me, he added. He expressed his happiness about the reactions to the film.