One of the most anticipated movies in Telugu cinema is Kannappa. Mukesh Kumar Singh has directed the historical drama, which stars Vishnu Manchu as the protagonist. He shares his thoughts on the preparation, working with celebrities like Mohanlal and Prabhas, and his level of assurance about the major event. The transcript is provided here.

An interview with Mukesh Kumar Singh, the filmmaker of Kannappa

How did you get the job of directing Kannappa?

Vishnu Manchu requested to meet me, according to Anup Singh Thakur, who worked on my Mahabharat series. I spoke with Vishnu and his father about Mahabharat for more than four hours. Mohan Babu sir told Vishnu at the conclusion of the discussion that I was the ideal candidate to direct Kannappa.

Did you know who Kannappa was?

No, I had no knowledge of his existence. In Andhra, I took a spiritual trip and learned a lot, then returned to Vishnu. He was extremely impressed, and that's how the project was completed and I was chosen as the director.

What sort of study was conducted to create it?

I went to several temples in Tirupati and Sri Kalahasti time and time again. I learned about who Kannappa was and his history by speaking with a lot of priests. I was able to helm the movie thanks to Vishnu's writing and prior knowledge of the tale.

You primarily worked in the television industry. Did you have trouble adjusting to movies?

There is less time for pre-production in television. However, I quickly adapted because I had the freedom and backing to get a firm grasp on the manuscript. The shoot was simple since we completed a lot of pre-production work.

How did you deal with well-known figures such as Mohan Babu, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal?

The big stars were actually quite manageable. They were completely professional, had an open mind, and performed their duties. Dealing with these mega stars was, in my opinion, simpler than dealing with the TV celebrities. Prabhas was a total sweetheart, and Mohan Babu Garu gave me his complete support. The appearances of these huge celebrities will have a significant influence, and the audience will be ecstatic.

Telugu has previously produced Kannappa. In comparison to those old films, how different is this Kannappa?

Even I was unsure at first if I could complete such a huge undertaking when I first started, but Vishnu gave me a lot of encouragement, and with the aid of my staff, I was able to accomplish it. The last hour of this modern fantasy play will have you speechless.

Give us additional details about Vishnu Manchu's performance in the movie

Vishnu Manchu's ideal project is Kannappa. Everyone will be amazed by his performance, particularly in the last 30 minutes of the movie, where he plays the lead character. With Kannappa, he will attain new heights in his performance and will leave you speechless. 

Why did you film Kannappa so much in New Zealand?

We originally intended to film just 20% of the movie in New Zealand, but we ended up filming 80% of it there because the locations were so genuine. Hyderabad was where the episodes starring Akshay Kumar and Prabhas were filmed.

Give us additional information regarding the movie's VFX component, art department, and manufacturing values

Vishnu Manchu has invested millions in Kannappa. He made the decision to not compromise on the film's look and feel after leaving no stone unturned. The production design, particularly the several sets we built in Hyderabad, has had a lot of money invested in it. Kannappa will have an international vibe regardless of whether it's the background music, images, or visual effects.

What is the significance of Prabhas's role in Kannappa?

All I can say is that Prabhas's admirers won't be let down in the least. His screen persona, physical appearance, and demeanor have been used effectively. He plays a crucial role in the movie, arriving in the second half.

What is your level of certainty regarding the audience's reaction to Kannappa in theaters?

Industry professionals have seen the movie at numerous screenings, and they have all raved about it. The movie was also shown to several priests, and none of them voiced any complaints. Because Kannappa is based on real events, we took a lot of liberties with the story in order to create a suitable viewing experience for the audience. I am sure that the audience will like the movie.

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