Directed by: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Screenplay by: Vishnu Manchu
Story by: Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, G. Nageswara Reddy, Eshwar Reddy, Thota Prasad
Produced by: Mohan Babu
Starring: Vishnu Manchu
Cinematography: Sheldon Chau
Edited by: Anthony
Music by: Stephen Devassy, Mani Sharma
Production companies: AVA Entertainment, 24 Frames Factory
Release date: 2024
Country: India
Language: Telugu
Budget: ₹100 crore
Kannappa is a new movie from India. It’s in Telugu and is about stories from long ago. Mukesh Kumar Singh directs it. The story is about Kannappa, who really believed in a god named Shiva.
Mohan Babu made the movie with his companies AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. Vishnu Manchu wrote how the story would be in the film. He got ideas from Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Eshwar Reddy, G. Nageswara Reddy, and Thota Prasad. Manchu acts as the main character in the movie.
The movie officially started on August 18, 2023. They began taking pictures for the movie on September 25, 2023, in New Zealand. Stephen Devassy and Mani Sharma made the music in the film. It was first made in Telugu but will also be in other Indian languages when it comes out.
Cast
- Vishnu Manchu as Kannappa, ardent devotee of Lord Shiva
- Mohanlal (cameo appearance)
- Prabhas as Lord Shiva (cameo appearance)
- Mohan Babu
- R. Sarathkumar
- Brahmanandam
- Madhoo
- Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran
Production
Making the Movie
The movie about Kannappa, who loved the god Shiva, took almost ten years. In December 2013, Tanikella Bharani, a writer and director, said he was preparing for a movie set in the 14th century called Bhaktha Kannappa. He picked Sunil to play Kannappa. Then, in June 2015, Vishnu Manchu, who acts and produces movies, said his company would work with an American one to make a movie called Kannappa Katha. Bharani would direct it. After trying for years to find someone to make the movie, Bharani later sold his original story to Vishnu. Vishnu then hired writers to help improve the story.
The movie Kannappa officially began on August 18, 2023, with a special ceremony at Srikalahasteeswara temple in Srikalahasti. Mukesh Kumar Singh is directing it, and Vishnu’s father, Mohan Babu, is producing it. They got help from a bunch of people to shape the story. Vishnu is called the “writer,” but the credit for the story goes to others like Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Eshwar Reddy, G. Nageswara Reddy, and Thota Prasad.
Casting
In the movie, Vishnu Manchu is acting as Kannappa, who admires the god Shiva. In July 2019, it was said that Kajal Agarwal would be significant in the movie. After the movie officially began in 2023, they shared that many famous actors from different films would also be part of the cast. At first, Nupur Sanon was picked for a leading role, but later, she couldn’t do it because of other plans. They confirmed that Prabhas will make a special appearance as lord Shiva in September. Also, Mohanlal will play a part, but we don’t know what role yet. Nayanthara was talking about playing Parvathi around that time. Shiva Rajkumar’s role was confirmed in October, and Mohan Babu and R. Sarathkumar are in the movie too. Brahmanandam, another actor, filmed for 15 days in New Zealand for ‘Kannappa’.
Filming
Manchu traveled around New Zealand in April 2019 to find good places to shoot scenes. At first, they looked in many countries like Ireland, Scotland, Minnesota, Australia, Switzerland, and Canada to find a place that would fit a story from the 2nd century with clear skies and beautiful forests. They started taking the main pictures for the movie on September 25, 2023, in New Zealand. But filming had to stop in late October because Manchu got hurt during a fight scene. A drone accidentally hit his arm with its blades. In New Zealand, they filmed in many different spots like Auckland, Rotorua, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Pukaki, and Christchurch. They say most of the movie, around 80 percent, was filmed in New Zealand. Chinna worked as the art director, Sheldon Chau, known for working on ‘Mosagallu,’ was the person in charge of filming, Prem Rakshith and Brinda handled the dances, and Kecha Khamphakdee took care of the stunt choreography.
Music And Release
Mani Sharma and Stephen Devassy created the music and songs for the movie. The words written by Suddala Ashok Teja, Ramajogayya Sastry, and Bhaskarabhatla are very poetic and help tell Kannappa’s story beautifully. Their verses add a lot of deep feelings and emotions to the film’s storytelling, making it very touching and beautiful.
The movie will appear in theaters worldwide in the third part of 2024. It will be translated into many Indian languages for everyone to enjoy.
