Tollywood star Manchu Vishnu is set to fulfill his long-held desire with the release of ‘Kannappa’, a multi-crore mythological saga. Set to have a global theatre release on June 27, the film has already generated a huge buzz in the nation. With the team being in the last leg of the promotions, things have taken a turn for the unexpected, lending a tinge of controversy to the pre-release hype.
Only days ahead of the film’s release, officers from the Central GST Intelligence Wing conducted surprise raids on Vishnu’s offices at Madhapur and Kavuri Hills, Hyderabad. The searches, conducted on Wednesday, included scanning of financial papers and records pertaining to his business and production operations.
According to reports, the probe is connected to alleged irregularities in GST payments related to the production of ‘Kannappa’. While no confirmation has been made by the authorities, the development has triggered gossip in media and film circles. Curiously, veteran producer and actor Mohan Babu, Vishnu’s father as well as the producer of the film ‘Kannappa’, was spotted reaching the office during the raid, adding to the intrigue.
Reacting to the incident, Manchu Vishnu maintained a calm stance. Speaking to reporters, he stated that he was unaware of the raids until journalists informed him. He emphasized that there was nothing to hide and that all loans and financial dealings were properly documented and transparent
Coming to the film, “Kannappa” is inspired by the legendary story of the devoted follower of Lord Shiva. The film is being directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and stars Manchu Vishnu in the starring role, who has also taken care of the screenplay and writing. The film is being produced grandly by Mohan Babu, who is also playing an important character.
The movie has a strong supporting cast. Vishnu’s children — Ariana, Viviana, and Avram — will be seen in cameo appearances. Prabhas plays a special appearance as Rudra, while Akshay Kumar is Lord Shiva. Other well-known actors include Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal, Sarath Kumar, Preity Mukhundhan, and Brahmanandam.
With mythological richness, grand scale, and star power from all walks of industries, “Kannappa” is one of the most anticipated releases of the year.