Vishnu Manchu's latest film, "Kannappa," a devotional action drama, has been heavily impacted by online piracy following its release on June 27, 2025. Actor Vishnu Manchu has publicly addressed the issue, stating that over 30,000 illegal links to the film have already been taken down.

Manchu expressed his heartbreak and concern over the situation in a social media post, emphasizing that "Piracy is theft — plain and simple". He urged movie lovers to support cinema by watching films legally and not encouraging piracy.

"Kannappa," directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu, is a pan-Indian film featuring an ensemble cast including Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, and several others. The film also includes cameo appearances by major stars such as Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal. The movie tells the story of Thinnadu (played by Vishnu Manchu), a fearless warrior who transforms into Lord Shiva's ultimate devotee.

The film had a decent start at the box office, earning ₹9 crore on its opening day, with strong performance in Telugu-speaking regions. By the end of the opening weekend, reports indicated the film had grossed ₹23.75 crore. However, the piracy issue threatens to undermine the film's potential earnings.

Prior to the film's release, the "Kannappa" production team faced another setback when a hard drive containing important VFX visuals was stolen during transit. Executive producer Vijay Kumar filed a complaint, and an investigation is ongoing.

The issue of piracy continues to plague the film industry, with illegal copies often appearing on sites like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, and Filmyzilla, as well as various Telegram channels. Accessing pirated content carries legal risks, with potential penalties including fines up to Rs 2 lakh and even imprisonment under Indian copyright laws. Furthermore, these platforms often harbor malware and phishing scams, posing risks to users' personal and financial data.