Kannappa | |
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Directed by | Mukesh Kumar Singh |
Screenplay by | Vishnu Manchu |
Story by |
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Produced by | Mohan Babu |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Sheldon Chau |
Edited by | Anthony |
Music by | |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Country | India |
Language | Telugu [1] |
Budget | ₹100 crores [2] |
Kannappa is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language fantasy drama film directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. It is based on the story of Kannappa, a devotee of Hindu god Shiva. The film was produced by Mohan Babu through his companies AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the title role, who also wrote the screenplay of the film based on a story developed by Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, G. Nageswara Reddy, Eshwar Reddy, and Thota Prasadnaidu. [3]
The film was formally launched on 18 August 2023. Principal photography began on 25 September 2023 in New Zealand. The original score and songs are being composed by Stephen Devassy and Mani Sharma. Originally shot in Telugu, the film is expected to be dubbed and release in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English.
The film, based on the mythological story of Kannappa, a devotee of the god Shiva, took nearly a decade to materialize. In December 2013, actor, screenwriter and director Tanikella Bharani told the media that he was working on the pre-production of a period drama film set in the 14th century, titled Bhaktha Kannappa. He had cast Sunil in the role of Kannappa. [6] In June 2015, actor-producer Vishnu Manchu announced that his production company, 24 Frames Factory, would collaborate with an American company to produce a film titled Kannappa Katha, to be directed by Bharani. [7] Reports indicated that Bharani sold his original screenplay for Bhaktha Kannappa to Vishnu after waiting for several years to convince a producer. Manchu hired writers to work on the film and make necessary changes. [8]
Kannappa was officially launched with a pooja ceremony on 18 August 2023 at Srikalahasteeswara temple in Srikalahasti. Mukesh Kumar Singh was attached as the director, who had earlier directed several mythological television series. The film is being produced by Vishnu's father, Mohan Babu, under 24 Frames Factory and AVA Entertainments. [9] [10] [11] At that time, it was reported that the story was developed by Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Thota Prasad, Sainath Thotapalli, and Sai Madhav Burra. [12] Additionally, the support of V. Vijayendra Prasad, G. Nageswara Reddy, and G. Eshwar Reddy were also "instrumental in developing a script", according to a public statement made by Manchu. [13] In the film, Manchu is credited as the "writer" and the "story development" credits are given to Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Eshwar Reddy, G. Nageswara Reddy, and Thota Prasad. [14]
Vishnu Manchu plays the title role of Kannappa, a devote of god Shiva. [15] In July 2019, it was reported that Kajal Agarwal has been cast in the leading female role. [16] In 2023, after the film's official launch, the makers announced that prominent actors from various film industries would be joining the cast. [17] Nupur Sanon was confirmed in the leading female role, however, she opted out from the film in September 2023 due to scheduling conflicts. [18] In September, Prabhas was confirmed to be reportedly playing the role of lord Shiva in a special appearance. [19] [20] [21] In the same month, Mohanlal was also confirmed in an undisclosed role. [13] In the same month, Nayanthara was in talks to play the role of Parvathi., but the talks did not materialize. [22] Mohan Babu and R. Sarathkumar also appear in the film. [23] Brahmanandam completed a significant 15-day shoot for 'Kannappa' in New Zealand. [24] Preity Mukundhan has been officially announced as the female lead by the movie production team and she is making her debut with this movie as an actress. [25] [26]
Manchu went for location scouting in New Zealand in April 2019. [27] Initially, the crew scouted in Ireland, Scotland, Minnesota, Australia, Switzerland, and Canada in a search for the 2nd century worldbuilding, with unpolluted sky and scenic forests. [14] Principal photography began on 25 September 2023 in New Zealand. [28] Filming was temporarily halted in late October after Manchu sustained an injury while performing a fight sequence, where the blades of a drone made contact with his arm. [29] In New Zealand, the film was shot in various locations across Auckland, Rotorua, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Pukaki, and Christchurch. [14] Reportedly, about 80 percent of the film will be shot in New Zealand. [30] Chinna is the art director, Sheldon Chau, of Mosagallu fame, is the cinematographer, Prabhu Deva is the dance choreographer, while the stunt choreography will be done by Kecha Khamphakdee. [31] [32] The first schedule of filming for the movie was officially completed on December 23, 2023, in New Zealand, as announced by Dr. M. Mohan Babu, the film's producer, and the entire movie team. [33] [34] The movie team made an official announcement on February 28, 2024, revealing that the second schedule of filming has commenced in New Zealand. The movie will team will head to Hyderabad after wrapping up the second schedule. [35]
Mani Sharma and Stephen Devassy have composed the original score and songs for the film. [36] Suddala Ashok Teja, Ramajogayya Sastry, and Bhaskarabhatla, are the lyricists for the songs of the film.
The film is aiming for a theatrical release worldwide in the third quarter of 2024, and is expected to be dubbed in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English. [14]
Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu, credited and also known as Mohan Babu, is an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. An alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, supporting and a variety of roles.
Political Rowdy is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Adi Narayana. The film stars Mohan Babu, Charmme Kaur, Prakash Raj, and Abbas. Mohan Babu produced the film and also plays the lead role. The film is a remake of the Tamil movie Adi Thadi.
Manchu Vishnu Vardhan Babu is an Indian actor and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and television. Manchu had a brief stint as a child artist with the 1985 film Ragile Gundelu. Years later, he starred in the 2003 Telugu action film Vishnu, for which he won the Filmfare Best Male Debut.
Kannappa is a legendary figure in Tamil, and more broadly Hindu, folklore who was a devoted follower of the Hindu god Shiva. He is closely associated with the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. According to the folktale, Kannappa, originally a hunter, plucked out one of his eyes as an offering to a lingam. However, before he could pluck out the second eye, Shiva intervened. He is revered as one of the 63 Nayanars, a group of Shaiva saints.
Manchu Manoj Kumar is an Indian actor who works in Telugu films. He first appeared at the age of ten as a child artist in Major Chandrakanth. He made his film debut in a leading role with Donga Dongadi in 2004. He received the state Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance in box-office success Bindaas (2010). He also starred in Vedam (2010), Potugadu (2013), and Pandavulu Pandavulu Thummeda (2014).
Saleem is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language romantic action thriller film directed by YVS Chowdary. The film was released on 10 December 2009. Starring Vishnu Manchu, Ileana D'Cruz and Mohan Babu in the lead roles. This was an utter flop film at box office.
Jhummandi Naadam is a 2010 Indian Telugu-language musical drama film produced by Lakshmi Manchu and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Manoj Manchu and debutant Taapsee Pannu in the lead roles and Mohan Babu in a supporting role. The film's music is composed by M. M. Keeravani with cinematography by S. Gopal Reddy and editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh. The film released on 1 July 2010
Vastadu Naa Raju is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Hemant Madhukar. It stars Vishnu Manchu, who has also produced the film and Taapsee Pannu in the lead roles. While Gopal Reddy S has handled the camera, the music is composed by Mani Sharma. The film released in February 2011.
Denikaina Ready (transl. Ready for anything) is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by G. Nageswara Reddy and produced by Mohan Babu. The film features Vishnu Manchu and Hansika Motwani in the lead roles. The film is a remake of the Malayalam film Udayapuram Sulthan.
Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda is a 2014 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Sriwass and featuring an ensemble cast composed of Mohan Babu, Manchu Vishnu, Manchu Manoj, Raveena Tandon, Hansika Motwani, Pranitha Subhash, Varun Sandesh, and Tanish. Manchu Vishnu and Manchu Manoj are jointly producing the film on their respective banners, 24 Frames Factory and Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures. Kona Venkat, Gopimohan and BVS Ravi wrote the film's screenplay with Palani Kumar handling cinematography.
Rowdy is a 2014 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. It stars Vishnu Manchu and his father Mohan Babu with Jayasudha and Shanvi Srivastav in important roles. Sai Karthik composed the music for this film, while Satish Mutyala handled the cinematography. The principal photography commenced on 26 December 2013 and ended on 21 February 2014 in 30 working days. It was dubbed into Hindi as Rowdy.
Pandaga Chesko (transl. Celebrate) is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language masala film directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by Paruchuri Kireeti on the United Movies banner. The film stars Ram, Rakul Preet Singh and Sonal Chauhan and Sampath Raj, Abhimanyu Singh, Sai Kumar, Adithya, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh, Pavitra Lokesh, Tejaswi Madivada, Vennela Kishore and Raghu Babu in other important roles. The story was penned by Veligonda Srinivas and the screenplay was provided by Kona Venkat and Anil Ravipudi, with the former writing the dialogues. S. Thaman composed the music, while Sameer Reddy and Gautham Raju handled the cinematography and editing of the film, respectively.
Mohan Babu is an Indian actor and producer who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He also acted in Tamil cinema.
Dynamite is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film directed by Deva Katta and produced by Manchu Vishnu under the banner 24 Frames Factory featuring himself, Pranitha Subhash, J. D. Chakravarthy in pivotal roles. It is the official remake of Tamil film Arima Nambi. Katta, however, said that he shot the film for nine days only and walked out due to creative differences. Katta was credited as the film's director nonetheless without his permission.
Eedo Rakam Aado Rakam is a 2016 Telugu-language romantic comedy film, produced by Sunkara Ramabrahmam on A.K. Entertainments banner and directed by G. Nageswara Reddy. It features Vishnu Manchu, Raj Tarun, Sonarika Bhadoria and Hebah Patel while Rajendra Prasad appears in a crucial supporting role and music composed by Sai Karthik. The film is based on Punjabi film Carry On Jatta (2012) which was inspired by the Malayalam movie Chakkikotha Chankaran (1989).
Vishnu is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language action romance film directed by Shaji Kailas and produced by Mohan Babu and starring his son Manchu Vishnu and Shilpa Anand. The screenplay is by Paruchuri Brothers, and the music is composed by Ismail Darbar. The film was released on 3 October 2003.
Gayatri is a 2018 Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Madan and written by Diamond Ratna Babu. Produced by Mohan Babu, the film stars himself in a dual role as the hero and villain, along with Nikhila Vimal, Shriya Saran and Anasuya Bharadwaj. Mohan Babu's son Vishnu Manchu plays the younger version of one of his characters. The film also features Brahmanandam, Ali, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Tanikella Bharani and Posani Krishna Murali in supporting roles. The film is a remake of Bangladeshi movie Aynabaji directed by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury. The music was composed by S. Thaman with cinematography by Sarvesh Murari. The film released on 9 February 2018.
Luckunnodu is a 2017 Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Raj Kiran. The film stars Vishnu Manchu and Hansika Motwani. It marks the acting debut of producer M. V. V. Satyanarayana as a villain.
Son of India is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Diamond Ratnababu, and produced by Vishnu Manchu under the banner of Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures and 24 Frames Factory. The film stars Mohan Babu, Meena, Srikanth, and Pragya Jaiswal. The film was released theatrically on 18 February 2022 to a highly negative reception and was box-office bomb.
The Movie Artists Association (MAA) started on October 4, 1993, with the collective vision and efforts of stalwarts like Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishnam Raju, Krishna, Murali Mohan, Mohan Babu and other senior artists. Chiranjeevi was the maiden president of the MAA.