was too metaphorical. Jha, however, kept the original title and added an extra 'a' to it. In preparation, Jha interviewed several police officers and read clippings on police he had saved. Jha announced the film in January 2001 during an interview with Komal Nahta of Rediff.com, and said it would be produced by Jha's banner Prakash Jha Productions in association with Manmohan Shetty of Entertainment One. He called Gangaajal his perception of affairs in the present-day Bihar, saying it is a "dramatic journey" from someone "into the collective consciousness of the society. It eventually becomes an intense meditation on the mechanics of crime and punishment." Although several publications reporting the film was based on the 1980 Bhagalpur blindings, Jha said it is not but that the film has several blinding scenes that are minor parts of the plot. The dialogue was written by Jha. Ajay Devgn played the role of the Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar that was previously offered to Akshay Kumar, marking Devgn's second collaboration with Jha after Dil Kya Kare (1999). Devgn said he had a positive rapport with Jha and that he was allowed to speak in Hindi without a Bihari accent. Jha said Devgn's acting style led him to approach Devgn again, describing him as a "natural choice". Jha said; "I needed someone who would look sincere and honest in the film, and he suited that. His character goes through many dilemmas, and he's capable of carrying that role well." Gracy Singh also immediately chose to star in the film as Amit's wife Anuradha. Jha, who wanted to cast Singh because he felt the Indian film industry did not see her potential as an actor. Singh stated that it was difficult to play the role as it was new for her. The film features an ensemble cast of 87 actors; according to Jha this is intended to "collectively make up the atmosphere". Gangaajal was produced on a budget of or . Principal photography was handled by Arvind K. in 60 days, and Sukhwant Panigrahi served as the production designer. Initially, Jha wanted the film to be made in Bihar but changed his mind for logistic reasons. Filming took place in two areas of Satara and Wai in Maharashtra, and Jha asked local people to briefly appear in several scenes. He said most of them were cooperative and that he felt helped. Filming ended in March