In a city steeped in cinematic history, the ancient tale of Kannappa Nayanar, a tribal hunter turned ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, is poised for a grand revival. Actor-producer Vishnu Manchu, a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, recently shared his vision for Kannappa, an ambitious period epic that seeks to bring this legendary figure to a new generation. Alongside him was veteran actor Sarathkumar, a familiar face who plays a key role in the film.
Vishnu expressed a blend of excitement and trepidation as he discussed his foray into Kollywood. “I was born and raised in Chennai,” he revealed, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. “I’ve been in the industry for 15 years and always dreamt of doing a Tamil film. It’s a dream come true to finally realize this, with the blessings of Lord Shiva, through Kannappa.”
The film’s narrative, as Vishnu explained, revolves around the transformation of Kannappa from an atheist hunter to a revered figure in Shaivite tradition. “Kannappa’s story is about an atheist who becomes a mahabhakta (great devotee),” Vishnu elaborated. “Shiva tested him and was surprised by his devotion. That’s the core story. This is my version of Kannappa, his relationship with his father, and his journey.”
The choice of New Zealand as the primary shooting location, a departure from the story’s traditional setting in present-day Andhra Pradesh, was a carefully considered artistic decision. Vishnu articulated his desire to recreate the untouched beauty of ancient India, a world he believes has been irrevocably altered by human actions. “At that time, India was pristine,” he reflected. “Unfortunately, we humans have been destructive and haven’t respected nature. I wanted to recreate that ancient world.” After a global search for the perfect backdrop, he found his ideal setting in New Zealand, a land he poetically described as “the last painting that God painted.”
The film’s visuals, glimpsed in a recently released teaser, are undeniably striking, capturing a sense of ethereal beauty. However, Vishnu was quick to dispel any notion that they were heavily reliant on computer-generated imagery. “When we were shooting at a lake in New Zealand,” he recounted, “even my team thought we’d added a lot of CGI and color grading. But apart from scenes involving Parvathy, Parameshwaran, Abodh, and Kailash, everything you see is natural.”
Kannappa also marks a collaborative reunion for Vishnu and Sarathkumar. “I’ve known him since childhood and have immense respect for him,” Vishnu said, highlighting the long-standing connection between the two actors. “I’ve been requesting him to do a film with me since 2011, and he finally agreed.” Sarathkumar, in turn, offered insights into the nuances of filmmaking, contrasting the fast-paced world of television with the more deliberate, quality-focused approach of cinema.
The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Prabhu, a renowned actor and choreographer. While not present during the conversation, Vishnu spoke fondly of Prabhu’s contributions, particularly his choreography work in New Zealand. “He doesn’t need to choreograph these days,” Vishnu noted, “but out of affection, he traveled to New Zealand twice for this film. It’s a long and tiring journey. When you see the film, you’ll understand why I insisted on his involvement.”
Kannappa is helmed by director Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for his work in television. Vishnu praised the director’s collaborative spirit and his willingness to guide him through any acting challenges. The film also serves as a launchpad for newcomer Preity Mukhudhan, whom Vishnu believes possesses the potential to become a major star. “If she continues with her current attitude and dedication,” he remarked, “she’ll be a huge star.”
In a wide-ranging discussion, Vishnu fielded questions about the film’s historical accuracy, its budget, and its connection to a series of comic books released as prequels. He acknowledged embracing creative liberties while emphasizing his extensive research into the various versions of Kannappa’s story, tracing its roots from Adi Shankaracharya’s writings in the 7th century to 15th-century Telugu poetry. “In our journey through these versions,” he explained, “we’ve added a Mahabharata link, which will be elaborated on in the film.”
Regarding the film’s budget, Vishnu remained discreet, stating, “It’s a high-budget movie, but the budget isn’t the focus. I’d like you to look at the story’s span.” He clarified that the comic books were conceived as a way to introduce the younger generation to the world of Kannappa, but the film’s narrative would be “much more detailed and different,” offering a richer, more layered exploration of the legend.
Vishnu also addressed the crucial aspect of language, revealing his intention to employ a colloquial Tamil that would be accessible to a wide audience while retaining a sense of the period. He acknowledged the inherent challenges of using period-appropriate language, admitting that even he sometimes grapples with the nuances of modern Tamil. “While making the film, we considered using older Tamil, but I wanted it to be colloquial and accessible, like the language used in the film Maya Bazaar,” he stated. He credited Sarathkumar for his invaluable assistance in fine-tuning the Tamil dubbing, ensuring its authenticity and emotional resonance.
As the conversation drew to a close, Vishnu articulated his broader ambitions, expressing a desire to create more films centered on Indian gods and superheroes. “I’ve always wanted to make films about our gods and superheroes,” he shared. “Kannappa is my first step towards that.” Echoing this sentiment, a member of the audience, who had posed a question earlier, urged Vishnu to continue making historical films, to which he responded thoughtfully, “I will try my best to bring authentic stories, real stories, part of our history, into mythology. Wrongly we interpret our story as mythology. That is a very wrong word to use. It is our history. We should reclaim our history and tell our stories.”
Vishnu’s passion for the project was palpable throughout the discussion. “From your mouth to God’s ears,” he said, expressing his hopes for the film’s success. The film is targeting an April 25th release.