Kannappa's Vishnu Manchu reveals Prabhas and Mohanlal did the film for free

Prabhas and Mohanlal did Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa for free

Bringing together an all-star cast for a massive-budget film is no small achievement, but actor-producer Vishnu Manchu has pulled off the near-impossible with his dream project Kannappa. With pan-India giants like Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar joining the cast, the film has become one of the most anticipated releases from the Telugu industry. But what’s most remarkable isn’t just the casting — it’s the goodwill that made it happen.

In a recent interview with SCREEN, Vishnu opened up about the challenges of mounting a film of this scale. Knowing that his individual box-office pull wouldn’t be enough to carry a film reportedly budgeted at over Rs 200 crore, Vishnu reached out to stars with wider reach. And in an incredible show of friendship and respect, both Prabhas and Mohanlal agreed to appear in the film without charging a single rupee.

“Mohanlal sir didn’t even take a minute to say yes,” Vishnu shared. “He agreed purely out of love and respect for my father, Mohan Babu. He didn’t have to do a small role in my film, but he said yes instantly.”

As for Prabhas, the story is equally touching. “Prabhas is not just a superstar in India — he’s a global name now. But when I told him I needed his help for wider reach, he immediately agreed. He didn’t even ask what the role was. He just said, ‘I’m in.’”

The emotional bond clearly runs deep. Vishnu recalled how every time he tried to offer them payment, both actors were offended. “They would yell at me! Mohanlal said, ‘You grew up around me and now you’re offering me money?’ Prabhas even threatened to kill me if I ever mentioned fees again.”

The script for Kannappa was written nearly a decade ago, and it’s finally coming to life thanks to the support of his family and these larger-than-life stars. While Akshay Kumar, who also features in the film, wasn’t part of Vishnu’s personal circle, even he slashed his fee considerably to be part of the project.

With friendship, legacy, and passion at its core, Kannappa is not just a film — it’s a testament to the relationships and respect that transcend the glamour of cinema.