‘Kannappa’ is not a myth, it’s our history: Vishnu Manchu

Dynamic actor-producer Vishnu Manchu is all set to release his dream project Kannappa on June 27. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced under Ava Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory by Dr. M. Mohan Babu, the film is one of the most ambitious devotional dramas in Indian cinema.

During a media interaction on Thursday, Vishnu expressed his excitement over the overwhelming response. “Over 1 lakh tickets have already been sold. This feels like Lord Shiva’s blessing. Initially, no one believed in Kannappa, but now there’s complete positivity around the film,” he said.

Vishnu stressed that he kept ticket prices affordable so that entire families, especially children, can watch the film. “Kannappa is meant for all generations, and I didn’t want to burden families with high prices. Only in a few areas of Andhra Pradesh have we slightly increased rates,” he added.

He thanked Prabhas, calling himself indebted to the star, and stated that he never faced financial struggles during the making of Kannappa thanks to divine grace. Vishnu’s four children also feature in the film. “As a father, watching them on screen gives me joy. I hope they become artists, but I’ll let them choose their paths.”

Highlighting the film’s wide release plans, he said, “Kannappa will not release on OTT for at least ten weeks. In Karnataka, we have early morning shows at 2 AM; in Kerala, the film is being released on a large scale.”

Vishnu reiterated, “Kannappa is not fiction—he was real and is still worshipped today. This is not just a story; it’s a part of our heritage. The film promotes pure devotion—no intermediaries, no superstitions. Just faith in God is enough.”

He also revealed that Mohanlal’s role will be a big surprise, adding, “With Shiva’s blessings, this Friday will be mine.”

Director Mukesh Kumar Singh said the team worked with full dedication to bring Kannappa’s story to life: “Today’s generation doesn’t know much about Kannappa. He was once a non-believer who turned into a great devotee. We want the world to know his journey.”

Cinematographer Sheldon Chau praised the film’s visuals, particularly the second half and climax, which he said will leave audiences emotional.

Actor Siva Balaji shared, “We shot in one of the most beautiful places on Earth – New Zealand. There’s a rare kind of positivity around this film. I’ve seen it already—it’s truly a spectacular experience.”

Actor Kaushal added, “It’s been nearly 50 years since the last Kannappa film. Vishnu is bringing this legend to the new generation with grand visuals and scale. Every Telugu person should watch this.”