Press Meet of the Film 'Kannappa'
The grand historical epic 'Kannappa', produced by renowned actor Mohan Babu under the banners of A.V.A Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory, features actor-producer Vishnu Manchu in the titular role of Kannappa. The film stars Preethi Mukundan as the female lead. Additionally, Indian cinema stalwarts such as Mohan Babu, Sarath Kumar, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Kajal Aggarwal, and Madhubala play pivotal roles.
The story was penned by Paruchuri Gopalakrishna, Eswar Reddy, G. Nageshwar Reddy, and Thota Prasad, with Vishnu Manchu contributing to the screenplay. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film's cinematography was helmed by American cinematographer Sheldon Chau, with Siddharth working as the second-unit cinematographer. Stephen Devassy composed the music, while Antony handled editing. Choreographer Prabhu Deva designed dances for three songs in the film.
Scheduled for a worldwide release on April 25 in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and other languages as a pan-Indian film, the press meet for 'Kannappa' was held on January 18 at a star hotel in Chennai. The cast and crew shared intriguing details about the film.
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh’s Remarks:
"Thanks to all the journalists for attending our 'Kannappa' event. The entire crew, including those present on stage and off-stage, have been blessed by Lord Shiva. Personally, I feel extremely blessed by Shiva, as it’s through his grace that I got the opportunity to work with some of the biggest talents in Indian cinema for my debut film. 'Kannappa' is not just a grand cinematic epic but also a historical story that today’s generation should learn about. I’m confident you will love the film. Thank you."
Editor Antony’s Comments:
"My gratitude to Mohan Babu Sir, Vishnu Sir, and everyone involved in 'Kannappa,' who worked tirelessly to make the film exceptional. Over 100 crew members were taken to New Zealand for two months for shooting. When I visited the set, I saw Vishnu Sir working on a scene with three cameras. On another set, I saw a similar setup for Madhubala Ma’am’s scenes. Simultaneously, Sarath Kumar Sir’s action sequences were being shot elsewhere with another team. It was a massive effort with a large crew. Editing such a film has been both a great opportunity and a challenge. The movie has come out brilliantly, and I urge everyone to watch it in theaters."
Cinematographer Siddharth’s Words:
"Thank you to all the journalists. I’m grateful to Vishnu Sir for giving me the opportunity to work on this film. The primary cinematographer is Sheldon Chau from the USA, and I worked as the second-unit cinematographer. Vishnu Sir treats me like family; he was the one who introduced me to Telugu cinema. The film is visually stunning, with spectacular action sequences. Beyond portraying Kannappa’s devotion to Shiva, the film’s grand scale and attention to detail are remarkable. My best wishes to Vishnu Sir and my gratitude to the entire team for this experience."
Actress Preethi Mukundan’s Thoughts:
"Hello everyone, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time this year, especially for a magnificent film like 'Kannappa.' I’m deeply thankful to Mohan Babu Sir, Vishnu Sir, and the director for giving me the opportunity to act alongside Indian cinema’s top stars. This team felt like a family, and they took great care of me. I learned so much from this film—not just about acting but also about the collective effort behind every scene. It inspired a passion for filmmaking in me. Thanks to the entire team for their support. I’m confident you’ll love the film."
Actor Sarath Kumar’s Perspective:
"Good morning to all the media friends. There’s a lot to say about this film. During the press meet in Bengaluru, the director mentioned the importance of reminding the current generation about our history and epics. 'Kannappa' is not just a story but a historical narrative that needs to be told. I congratulate Mohan Babu Sir and Vishnu for their hard work and dedication.
Kannappa’s tale is brief but profound—it’s about the first instance of a selfless offering to Lord Shiva. Vishnu has done extensive research to bring this story to life in an extraordinary way. The effort involved in taking a massive crew to New Zealand for filming, managing resources, and enduring harsh conditions is commendable.
Working with stars like Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Mohan Babu Sir is a privilege, but this film isn’t about star power. Each actor was chosen for their suitability to their respective roles. Director Mukesh Kumar Singh has done a fantastic job bringing this film to life with precision and grandeur. Antony’s editing, Prabhu Deva’s choreography, and the collective effort of the team have resulted in a magnificent film. I’m sure audiences will appreciate this heartfelt work."
The press meet concluded with the team expressing hope and confidence in the film’s success, urging audiences to experience it in theaters.
