Vishnu Manchu is gearing up for the release of his upcoming fantasy drama, Kannappa, which also stars Prabhas and Mohanlal in the lead roles. The film is reported to have been made on a budget of over Rs 200 crore. Prabhas and Mohanlal didn’t charge a penny for the film.
Vishnu has recently revealed that Prabhas once threatened to kill him when he offered to pay him to star in the film.
In a recent interview with Screen, Vishnu talked about how Prabhas and Mohanlal reacted when he offered them to pay.
The actor said, “Both Prabhas and Mohanlal didn’t take a single penny to do the role. Every time I ask them to quote their fees, they would yell at me. They will say: ‘Itne bade aadmi hogaye ho ki humein paise doge? (You become such a big man that you will give us money?)’”
He added, “Mohanlal said you grew up around me and today you dare to pay me for my work? Prabhas threatened to kill me," he said.
Vishnu also expressed gratitude towards the actors who made it possible for him to make the movie. He said, “Two people helped me greatly to make the film what it is today: Mohanlal and Prabhas. Mohanlal is such great superstar, he didn’t really have to do a small role in my film, but due to his love and respect for my father, he agreed to do the role in less than a minute."
Vishnu further mentioned that Prabhas is a great friend of his and a huge star in Asia. He noted that Prabhas didn't have to take on the role, but after he requested Prabhas' presence to help increase the film's reach and with any second thoughts, the actor agreed, not even asking about his part in the film.
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Vishnu recalled, “Secondly, Prabhas. He is a great friend of mine. He is not just one of the biggest stars in India but Asia. He too didn’t have to do this role. But after I confessed to him that I would need his presence for a greater reach of my film, he agreed immediately. He didn’t even care to listen to his role in the film.”
However, Vishnu also revealed that Akshay Kumar also charged far less than his standard fees
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by M. Mohan Babu, Kannappa revolves around an atheist hunter, Kannappa, who becomes a devotee of Lord Shiva and plucks out his eyes in an act of devotion.
The film is set to hit the worldwide theatres on June 27, 2025.
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