Director Mukesh Kumar Singh recently shared the heartfelt journey behind Kannappa, a passion project envisioned by actor Vishnu Manchu and produced by M. Mohan Babu under AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. Releasing on June 27, this mythological film is more than just a spectacle — it’s a tribute to faith and devotion.
Reflecting on its origins, Mukesh recalled, “Eshwar Reddy first contacted me for Mahabharat, which I had co-directed. Though I never took full credit, this led to Anup Singh Thakur, who played Dhritarashtra, introducing me to Vishnu. After a fruitful discussion in Hyderabad and a meeting with Mohan Babu garu, who promptly decided, ‘This is the man to direct Kannappa,’ my real journey began.”
Admitting that he initially knew little about Kannappa, Mukesh immersed himself in research — visiting temples like Tirupati and Sri Kalahasti over ten times and consulting priests to truly grasp the story’s soul.
Discussing the transition from TV to cinema, he noted, “Cinema offers time to plan. Even though I come from television, working with stars like Mohan Babu garu, Prabhas, and Akshay Kumar was smooth — they were disciplined and committed.”
The team originally scheduled a 20-day shoot in New Zealand, but thanks to perfect locations and Vishnu’s support, most of the film was shot there. “Vishnu ensured we had every resource,” Mukesh added.
On Prabhas’ role, he assured, “Every character holds depth. Prabhas’ screen presence is powerful and memorable.” Mukesh also appreciated Mohan Babu’s heartfelt response to the final cut — “That was my biggest reward,” he smiled.
Regarding the adaptation, Mukesh clarified, “The original Kannappa tale is only 1.5 pages. To craft a feature, we expanded respectfully while keeping its essence.” Even after 13 censor edits for a U/A rating, the film’s intensity remains. Feedback from Sri Kalahasti priests was encouraging too — “They asked when Part 2 is coming!”
Finally, Mukesh summed up, “Kannappa gave his eyes to God — that devotion is timeless. We hope this story connects with audiences today.” Concluding the chat, he praised Mohan Babu garu, saying, “His role here is truly special, and working with him was a blessing.”
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