“They’re holding us to ransom': Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu on 'Kannappa' legal hurdle and why Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, and Prabhas are legends

Dubai: It’s not every day you walk into an interview room to find your subject embroiled in a mild legal crisis. But when your subject is Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu — and the movie in question is Kannappa, a Rs2 billion pan-Indian epic steeped in mythology and ambition — nothing is off the table.

“Many times, filmmakers are held to ransom in this generation,” he said, visibly frustrated. “There are people with vested interests who want to come into the limelight or push a hidden agenda by attacking filmmakers.” These aren’t your average movie-release jitters.

For Vishnu, the sabotage feels deliberate.

“They wait until the last minute—usually a week or two before the premiere—and then suddenly show up with objections or legal notices. If they had a real issue, why didn’t they raise it when we began shooting?”

He doesn’t hold back on his disdain for such last-minute theatrics.

“There should be one day in the week where it’s legal to beat the living daylights out of these idiots,” he said with a sardonic smile. “I don’t want to pull out my hair — I just want to backhand slap them. That should be legal. Just once a week.” And he’s serious about starting a movement for change. “I think I should begin representing filmmakers to the government and lawmakers. We need protection. In today’s world, everything offends someone, and a few loud voices hijack the whole narrative.”

“Just because a handful of people are upset doesn’t mean they represent a religion or a nation. There are psychos, robbers, and idiots in every walk of life. Don’t define a community based on that.”

In India, big-ticket film releases often face last-minute legal challenges, public interest litigations (PILs), and objections from fringe groups claiming offence. These disruptions typically surface just days before release — after months or years of production — leaving filmmakers scrambling to respond. While India’s constitution protects freedom of expression, the lack of clear safeguards means that films can be delayed or derailed by sudden legal action, often with little warning. For producers like Vishnu Manchu, who’ve invested heavily in ambitious projects like Kannappa, these last-minute hurdles feel less like feedback — and more like being held to ransom.

But despite the stress and distractions, the moment the camera switched on, the performer in Vishnu emerged. He straightened up, smiled wide, and invoked divine destiny. “I look at it like [Indian deity] Lord Shiva chose me to tell the story of Kannappa. Otherwise, why me? Why now? It’s all Shiva Leela.”

A divine assignment (and a dangerous one?)

Kannappa is no casual weekend flick. Based on one of Indian deity's most devout followers — a tribal hunter who offered his eyes in devotion — the film is steeped in historical lore and religious reverence.

It’s also, by Vishnu’s own admission, the most creatively and financially risky venture of his career.

“This is probably the biggest gamble of my life,” he said.

“Creative-wise and financial-wise. It’s one of the largest budgets in Indian cinema this year. But we went all guns blazing because we truly believed we could pull it off.”

He’s banking not just on faith, but on execution — and timing. “People who’ve seen the movie have loved it,” he added. “Now we wait for June 27 and see how the audience responds.”

But the journey hasn’t been smooth.

‘There should be a day to legally slap these idiots’

With big films come big problems. Legal challenges, protests, and last-minute objections are practically a rite of passage in Indian cinema. For Kannappa, it’s been no different.

“Many times, filmmakers are held to ransom,” Vishnu said, his frustration returning.

“These aren’t even political parties, just people with vested interests who want the spotlight. They wait till a week before the release and then suddenly, a legal notice shows up.”

He doesn’t mince words.

“There should be one day a week where it’s legal to beat the living daylights out of these idiots,” he said with a laugh — but only half-joking.

“This generation is so woke, everything offends somebody. But just because someone’s offended doesn’t mean they represent an entire community.”

He believes the system needs change — urgently.

“I’m thinking of starting a movement, getting the government and lawmakers involved,” he said. “We need legal protection for filmmakers. Otherwise, we’re sitting ducks.”

Casting without borders

Despite the hurdles, Kannappa is Vishnu Manchu’s most ambitious cinematic statement. With a cast that includes Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, and pan-Indian favourite Prabhas, the film is designed to travel — linguistically, culturally, and commercially.

“I didn’t cast based on language,” he said. “I asked myself: if I had no boundaries, who would be perfect for these roles? And then I just went for it.”

He credits the OTT boom and satellite TV for making such casting feel natural now.

“For decades, North Indian actors worked in the South and vice versa — Sri Devi, Rekha, Hema Malini. But audiences didn’t have access to those films across languages,” he explained. “Now, thanks to YouTube and streaming, even my mom can watch a Malayalam film at home, dubbed in Telugu. That’s huge.”

Mohanlal: The living textbook

While Vishnu’s father, Mohan Babu, remains his biggest influence, there’s one other actor who leaves him awestruck — Mohanlal.

“I’m in fanboy mode every time I look at him,” Vishnu said, grinning.

“People like Mr. Mohanlal were born to entertain. You can’t compare him with anyone. After my father, he’s the only actor I truly look up to.”

He described Mohanlal as the ultimate paradox: a man who doesn’t take himself too seriously, but transforms completely when the camera rolls.

“He’s a textbook for our generation. The way he acts, behaves, performs—it’s pure magic.”

Nepotism? “give me a break.”

It’s 2025. And you can’t interview an actor from a film family without invoking the now-infamous “N-word”: nepo baby. For the uninitiated, he's the son of the legendary actor Mahesh Babu.

Vishnu’s take? Bold, unfiltered, and unapologetic.

“It’s a newly coined word from people who aren’t good enough to get an opportunity,” he said. “Yes, my father was an actor, and I got a break. But that advantage ends after your first film.”

His voice sharpened as he continued: “If you don’t have the looks, the talent, or the discipline, you’re done. The audience decides. I’ve been here 20 years. You think that’s just because of my last name?”

He also touched on the unfair comparisons to his father.

“When I started, my father had almost 30 years of experience. People would say, ‘Oh, he doesn’t have the same diction as his father.’ I’m like — bro, at least give me 15 years to prove myself!”

Even now, with two decades behind him, he’s still held up to his father’s towering legacy.

“He’s a legend. You can’t compare us. Just like you can’t compare Sachin Tendulkar to Don Bradman. Every generation has its own heroes.”

Rajinikanth’s hug and the validation he needed

Perhaps the most affirming moment in this journey came from another legend: Rajinikanth.

“I never had Mr. Rajini praise any of my earlier films,” he said. “But after watching Kannappa, he called and spoke to me at length. He gave me a hug. That moment gave me immense confidence.”

It was the approval he didn’t know he needed — and finally received.

Glory or Bust?

When asked whether he’s chasing critical acclaim or box office gold, Vishnu didn’t hesitate.

“I want the box office numbers,” he said bluntly. “Critical acclaim is great, and I know we’ll get it. But that doesn’t keep the fire burning at home. I’ve got bills to pay.”

That honesty, laced with wit and grit, defines Vishnu Manchu — a second-generation star who refuses to coast on legacy, a producer-actor who’s willing to stake it all on a mythic epic, and a man ready to throw punches, legal or metaphorical, for what he believes in.

If Kannappa succeeds, it won’t just be a cinematic win. It’ll be a statement — that risk, reverence, and raw ambition still have a place in Indian cinema.

“I think I’ve done something right,” he said quietly. “And if Rajinikanth signed off on it, maybe it’s time everyone else did too.”

'Kannappa' is out in UAE cinemas this Friday