Kannappa, the much-anticipated film starring Manchu Vishnu, hit the big screens this past Friday and has received a strong response from both audiences and critics. The movie, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, marks a major comeback for Vishnu and is being praised for its emotional depth and grand presentation. One of the major highlights of the film is the special appearance of Prabhas, which helped boost the film’s opening day collection to an impressive ₹20 crore.
Amid the widespread appreciation, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) shared his surprising reaction to Kannappa. Known for his scepticism towards devotional films, RGV personally messaged Manchu Vishnu after watching the film, expressing how deeply moved he was by Viactor’s performance. Vishnu later shared a screenshot of their chat on social media.
In his message, RGV admitted that he does not believe in God or devotional cinema and hadn’t expected to enjoy Kannappa. However, he was blown away by Vishnu’s portrayal of the character Thinnadu, especially the climax scene in which the protagonist sacrifices both his eyes in devotion to Lord Shiva. RGV wrote, “I couldn’t breathe in some scenes. Your performance was so powerful, I forgot I was watching an actor; you became the character. I’m going to watch it again, just for you.”
Deeply touched, Manchu Vishnu responded emotionally, revealing that RGV’s words made him cry. He added that he had been silently holding back his emotions through one of the most challenging periods of his life and career. “Everywhere I went, I was met with doubt or even hatred. But I believed I could overcome it,” Vishnu wrote.
The emotional exchange between the actor and the director has since gone viral online, adding another layer of buzz around Kannappa. As celebrities and fans alike continue to praise the film, it’s clear that Kannappa is not just a commercial success but also a turning point for Manchu Vishnu.