Kannappa: Controversy over Brahmin character, trolling on Shiva look and VFX hit; Vishnu Manchu broke silence on every aspect..

Actor-producer Vishnu Manchu's film 'Kannappa' has been released in theatres today. In a recent exclusive interview with Amar Ujala Digital, Vishnu talked about all the issues related to the film, such as the reason for the delay in the release, the controversy over Akshay Kumar's Shiva look and the questions raised about his Brahmin character. He also told how much hard work and research was done to make this mythological story.

Some people have raised objections to your Brahmin character. What is your answer?
This objection is mostly from those who have not seen the film. When I announced 'Kannappa', no one said anything. Now when the film is close to release, why the sudden controversy? The biggest question is whether they have seen the full graph of the character. The 'Brahmin' character is present in the original story of Kannappa. I have not created any new face, I have just brought the same story on screen with devotion and research. It is easy to form an opinion without watching the film. But one should think responsibly before pointing fingers at a filmmaker. Do you want to know what I have done? So first watch the film, then talk.

Since this is a religiously and culturally sensitive subject, what research did you do while making the film? Any scriptural study or advice from experts?

I knew very well that I was making a film on a very sensitive subject. So we did not do anything without research. First of all, we read the scriptures in depth, made notes of them, and then prepared the script with that understanding. Later we showed that script to scholars and religious experts of Sanskrit College. They looked at every aspect carefully and said that there is nothing objectionable in it. You have shown it with great devotion and truth. This was a great satisfaction for us. We did not consider research as a one-time work, but a process that continued throughout the film so that the film looks true not only in appearance but also from the heart.

After the trailer, some resentment came to the fore on Akshay Kumar's Shiva look. What do you call it?

To be honest, I have not read those comments myself. But yes, I have heard that some people trolled Akshay sir for his Shiva look. Lord Shiva himself comes in many forms. Sometimes calm, sometimes angry, sometimes in the form of a statue, and sometimes without any form. It is not necessary that everyone likes every form. I have chosen Akshay sir very thoughtfully. He has the balance and dignity that is required for this character. I am sure that when people watch the entire film, they will feel like Lord Shiva and not just an actor.

What was the biggest reason for the delay in the release of 'Kannappa'?
If I point out one thing clearly, it is VFX. Initially, we thought that this part would be the easiest, but it became the most complex and tiring. The supervisor we hired could not fully understand this scale. His work was half-baked and we had to redo things many times. Later, international companies had to be brought in, the entire process had to be changed. But a lot of time had passed by then. To be honest, if there was the right VFX team from the beginning, 'Kannappa' would have been in theatres 6-7 months ago.

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