Vishnu Manchu is leaving no stone unturned in promoting his upcoming film Kannappa, a project he describes as his most ambitious to date. The mythological drama, slated for release on June 27, 2025, features a stellar cast. Manchu not only plays the titular role but also shares screen space with Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and many other prominent actors.
Manchu's vision for Kannappa is grand, and he has openly compared it to Lord of the Rings in terms of scale and ambition. Speaking in interviews, he conveyed his long-held desire to bring this story to life on a lavish scale, emphasizing the importance of creating a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience for the audience. He mentioned that he has seen the 1976 Telugu version of Bhakta Kannappa many times. In 2015, when director Tanikella Bharani told him the story, he was immediately interested. He worked on the script for months, after which the director said he wasn't the right guy to direct the film, as Manchu's vision was to produce it on a large scale. So, Manchu bought the film rights and decided to produce it.
The film, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, tells the story of Kannappa, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. The narrative chronicles Kannappa's transformation from a fearless warrior to an ultimate devotee, highlighting themes of faith, devotion, and self-sacrifice. Manchu said that Kannappa is one of Lord Shiva's greatest devotees. Kannappa, when put to test by Lord Shiva, gave both his eyes to Shiva.
Kannappa's journey to the screen has been a long and arduous one, with Manchu and his team reportedly dedicating seven to eight years to the project. The film is produced by Dr. M. Mohan Babu under the banners of Ava Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. The film's production hasn't been without its challenges. The original release date was pushed back due to pending visual effects work.
One of the most talked-about aspects of Kannappa is its star-studded cast, which includes actors from various film industries across India. Vishnu Manchu has openly acknowledged the importance of these actors in ensuring a strong opening for the film, recognizing their individual star power and fan bases.
Notably, Prabhas and Mohanlal have made cameo appearances in Kannappa without charging any remuneration, a gesture Vishnu Manchu has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for. He revealed that both stars declined payment, citing their respect and affection for his father, Mohan Babu. Akshay Kumar, who plays Lord Shiva, also agreed to participate after Manchu proposed the idea, feeling that Kumar's presence and demeanor were perfect for the role.
Vishnu Manchu also stayed in New Zealand for eight months with about 800 others, who were part of his dream project. Vishnu also opened up about the reason behind trimming the roles of Prabhas and Mohanlal in the highly-anticipated film, stating that it increased the length of the film. To bring down the length of the film, they trimmed six minutes from Prabhas' sequence and about 7 minutes from Mohanlal's sequence. Mohanlal now only has a 15-minute scene in the film.
As the release date approaches, Vishnu Manchu is actively promoting Kannappa, underscoring his belief in the film's potential to resonate with audiences across India and beyond.
