Vishnu Manchu Reveals Bollywood Director Choice for 'Kannappa' Amid Tollywood Hesitancy After Flops

After facing a series of setbacks at the box office, Vishnu Manchu’s ambitious project, Kannappa, appears to be changing the narrative. The movie, which debuted on Friday, has already grossed approximately Rs 16.35 crore nett in India over its first two days, with Rs 9.35 crore earned on Day 1 and Rs 7 crore on Day 2, according to preliminary estimates from Sacnilk. The film is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most commercially successful ventures of Vishnu Manchu’s career.

To commemorate this promising launch, the Kannappa team hosted a "thank you meet" for the media and fans in Hyderabad on Saturday. During the event, Vishnu Manchu addressed questions regarding the film's production, specifically focusing on the decision to enlist a Bollywood director to lead a story deeply rooted in Telugu culture.

"No Tollywood Director Would Work With Me"

During the press conference, Vishnu Manchu candidly explained his choice to bring in Mukesh Kumar Singh, renowned for directing the Star Plus Mahabharat series, for Kannappa. He stated, "You (the media) are well aware that no director from Tollywood would have been willing to collaborate with me if I had approached them with the Kannappa script."

Acknowledging his previous commercial disappointments, Vishnu Manchu added, "Also, my last few films did not perform well. Mukesh Kumar Singh brilliantly managed a show based on an Indian epic. Despite Kannappa being his directorial debut in feature films, I entrusted him with the responsibility. He is a hidden gem, and I want to bring such talent to the forefront."

A Tale of Devotion and Cinematic Spectacle

Kannappa is inspired by the tale of a legendary devotee of Lord Shiva from Telugu folklore, a story particularly cherished in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Besides playing the lead role, Vishnu Manchu has gathered a stellar supporting cast, including cameo appearances by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal.

The film also stars Preity Mukhundhan, Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Madhoo, and Brahmaji, among others, in significant roles.