"Kannappa," a Telugu fantasy film set for a June 13, 2025, trailer release and a June 27, 2025, worldwide debut, based on the Hindu legend of Kannappa, a devoted Shiva follower, with production spanning nearly a decade after initial plans by Tanikella Bharani in 2013.
Featuring Vishnu Manchu as the lead, alongside cameo appearances by Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Akshay Kumar—who waived remuneration—the film highlights a rare collaborative effort, with Stephen Devassy’s score adding cultural depth, reflecting a decade-long passion project backed by Mohan Babu’s 24 Frames Factory.
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for mythological TV series, the film’s pan-Indian cast and its launch at Srikalahasteeswara temple in 2023 underscore its spiritual significance, potentially influencing box office trends given the $15 million global Telugu cinema market in 2024, per industry reports.