Akshay Kumar has been showering praise on Vishnu Manchu for his dedication to the upcoming mythological epic, "Kannappa." The film, slated for release on June 27, 2025, features Vishnu Manchu in the titular role of Kannappa, a devotee of Lord Shiva. Kumar, who plays the role of Lord Shiva in the film, has lauded Vishnu's commitment and passion for the project, noting how deeply involved he was in every aspect of the film's making.

According to recent reports, Akshay Kumar expressed that Vishnu Manchu "lived and breathed" Kannappa. He emphasized Vishnu's immersion in the soul of the film, stating that the actor was not just the lead but was also actively coordinating things on set and assisting with the background and props. Kumar jokingly added that Vishnu sometimes felt like an art director due to his hands-on approach. He highlighted a particular sequence, only six or seven minutes long on screen, which Vishnu spent nearly two hours explaining in detail to him, showcasing his passion and dedication.

Vishnu Manchu, who has also written the film, envisioned Akshay Kumar for the role of Lord Shiva from the beginning. In an interview, Vishnu revealed that he couldn't imagine anyone else playing the part. However, it wasn't an easy task to get Kumar on board. According to reports, Akshay initially rejected the role twice. It took months of convincing, including a request to filmmaker Sudha Kongara to persuade him. Vishnu recalled a 45-minute script narration over the phone while he was in New Zealand, which eventually helped change Kumar's mind.

Akshay Kumar has acknowledged the rarity of portraying divine figures like Lord Shiva and expressed his fortune at being chosen for the role. He also noted the success of the movie and considered himself one of the luckiest people because of this experience.

"Kannappa" is based on the legend of Kannappa, a devotee of the god Shiva. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal, who will appear in cameo roles. The movie is set to release in multiple Indian languages.

Rajinikanth recently watched "Kannappa" and gave positive feedback. Vishnu Manchu shared that Rajinikanth hugged him after the film and said he loved it. Vishnu expressed that he had been waiting 22 years as an actor for that hug and felt encouraged and grateful.

Vishnu Manchu has described "Kannappa" as a blend of traditional Indian storytelling with a visual scale inspired by "Lord of the Rings." The film has reportedly been made on a budget of over Rs 200 crore.