“Mohan Babu Hugged Me After Watching Kannappa” – Director Mukesh Kumar Singh
Dynamic Star Vishnu Manchu’s ambitious passion project, Kannappa, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by M. Mohan Babu under AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory, is gearing up for its grand release on the 27th of this month. In an exclusive media interaction, director Mukesh Kumar Singh opened up about the film’s journey, working with an ensemble cast, and the spiritual inspiration behind the story.
Q: We heard that Mohan Babu was deeply impressed by your work in Mahabharat and recommended you for Kannappa. How did this collaboration begin?
Yes, that’s absolutely true. It all started when director Eshwar Reddy contacted me about my work on Mahabharat. I clarified to him that the series was a team effort and gave due credit to the other two directors who worked alongside me.
Soon after, Anup Singh Thakur—who played Dhritarashtra in Mahabharat and also worked with Vishnu in Achari America Yatra—informed me that Vishnu Manchu wanted to connect. Vishnu called me, and we ended up discussing Kannappa for nearly 4 hours in Hyderabad.
About a month later, after Mohan Babu garu returned to town, I was invited to his home. We spent a good hour discussing Mahabharat. Immediately after, he called Vishnu and said, “This is the man who will direct Kannappa.” That moment still stays with me.
Q: Coming from Mahabharat, how familiar were you with the legend of Kannappa?
To be honest, I wasn’t very familiar with it at first. Vishnu narrated the story to me and shared his vision—to mount it on a scale as grand as Mahabharat. Once I came onboard, I did my own deep-dive research.
I don’t rely solely on writers. I read extensively, watched documentaries, and visited temples in Tirupati and Sri Kalahasti—over ten times. I also spent time with priests to understand the spiritual and cultural essence. After internalizing the story, I shared my interpretation with Vishnu, curious to see how he would transform into Kannappa.
Q: How different was the transition from television to cinema?
Though I’m known for television, I’ve also produced three English-language films. Cinema isn’t entirely new to me. In fact, many of my TV sets were grander than typical film productions.
The key difference lies in preparation. Television is often rushed. Films, on the other hand, allow time for meticulous planning. I officially joined Kannappa in January, and we began shooting on October 4th—my birthday.
Q: With such a star-studded cast, how did you manage the scale?
It was incredibly exciting. Surprisingly, managing film stars was easier than managing television actors.
Artists like Mohan Babu, Vishnu, Prabhas—they’re highly disciplined and passionate. Initially, there were teething issues, but I have a practice of sharing detailed scene notes. Once we settled into that system, everything ran smoothly.
Mohan Babu garu is especially remarkable. His focus, sincerity, and on-screen energy are second to none.
Q: Was the film shot only in Telugu?
The Kailasam sequences were shot in Telugu. The portions involving Lord Shiva and Parvati were shot in both Telugu and Hindi. The entire film has been dubbed into multiple languages for pan-India release.
Q: Did you revisit older cinematic versions of Kannappa?
Absolutely. I watched all of them. They were very inspiring but also added pressure. I often wondered—could I match their emotional impact? Vishnu, too, had the same concern.
But after watching the final hour of our film, I’m confident. Vishnu’s performance is extraordinary.
Q: The visuals in the film look grand. Tell us about the art department.
Our art director Chinna led with in-depth research. We brought in technicians from Mumbai and Los Angeles. My assistant directors even visited museums to study ancient weapons.
We initially planned to shoot in New Zealand for 20 days, but the locations were so stunning, we ended up shooting most of the film there. Around 80% of the film was shot in real locations. Akshay Kumar and Prabhas’ scenes were filmed in India. Thanks to Vishnu, budget was never an issue.
Q: What can fans expect from Prabhas’ role in the film?
Every role in Kannappa carries weight and meaning—there are no fillers. Whether it’s Mohan Babu, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, or Prabhas—they each bring power to the narrative.
Prabhas’ role is significant, and his fans won’t be disappointed. His presence adds gravitas. Mohan Babu garu’s heartfelt hug after watching the film was the biggest validation. Even early viewers gave glowing feedback.
Q: The film received 13 censor cuts. Why?
Those edits were made to secure a U or U/A certificate. The film includes intense action sequences. For broader family appeal, we opted for these changes.
Q: How much of the story is fictionalized?
The original Kannappa story, as mentioned in Periya Puranam, Bhagavata Purana, and Sri Kalahasti Shapatham, is only about a page and a half. We used that as a base and built a cinematic narrative around it.
We took creative liberties, but never strayed from the soul of the story. The emotional core stays intact throughout.
Q: Who helped you with the dialogues?
I worked closely with my Telugu-speaking assistant directors and personally translated the content. Vishnu, Mohan Babu garu, and other writers pitched in to fine-tune the lines.
Q: What did the priests at Sri Kalahasti say after watching the film?
We held a special screening for them. Their response was deeply emotional. The first thing they asked was, “When is Part 2 coming?” They didn’t want a single line changed. That kind of approval is priceless.
Q: How did you make Kannappa relevant to modern audiences?
Let me clarify—Kannappa is a historical film, not a mythological one. We had many debates about this. Some believe Kannappa was a tribal devotee, others think he was Arjuna’s reincarnation. There are over 20 versions of his story.
But at its heart, Kannappa is about a man who offered his eyes in devotion. That message needed to reach today’s generation.
Q: Are you working on a Mahabharat film next?
Yes. I’m developing a cinematic adaptation of Mahabharat. It’s a vast, open subject. While S.S. Rajamouli is working on his version, I hold him in the highest regard—after Satyajit Ray, he’s taken Indian cinema global.
I’ve already told the story on television, but the big screen offers a much larger canvas.
Q: What’s your take on the use of VFX in films today?
VFX has evolved, but it must be used wisely. Too much of it detaches audiences from reality. The best approach is to blend real elements with graphics—to enrich, not overpower the experience.
Q: A final word on Mohan Babu’s role in Kannappa?
Mohan Babu garu plays a character unlike any Kannappa adaptation before. He’s an outstanding actor—also playing a powerful antagonist in Nani’s upcoming film. His versatility and intensity will leave audiences in awe.
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