Kannappa team clears air on controversy ahead of release

Despite the controversy, Kannappa is one of the most awaited films of the year.

Hyderabad: Just before its release on June 27, 2025, the film Kannappa has faced a controversy. Some members of the Brahmin community have raised objections to two comic characters in the film (Pilaka and Gilaka) played by Brahmanandam and Saptagiri. They feel the roles make fun of Brahmins.

To clear the air, dialogue writer Akella Siva Prasad, who is a Brahmin himself, gave a statement. “There is nothing in the film that insults Brahmins or any community. I am a Brahmin, and the director Mukesh Kumar Singh is also a Brahmin. We have great respect for all traditions,” he said.

---

He explained that in old stories about Kannappa, temple priests were sometimes shown in a bad way. But in this film, Mohan Babu plays Mahadeva Sastri, a priest who is shown with great respect and devotion. The character is inspired by the 16th-century book Sri Kalahasti Mahatyam.

Siva Prasad also shared that the film was shown to the main priests of the Sri Kalahasti temple, and they liked it. “They blessed Mohan Babu and Manchu Vishnu after watching the film. Even many Brahmins, like lyricist Ramajogayya Sastry, worked on this project. No one would spend so much money and time just to hurt anyone’s feelings,” he added.

Despite the controversy, Kannappa is one of the most awaited films of the year. It stars Manchu Vishnu and features Prabhas, Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal, and Madhoo in important roles. The team hopes that once people watch the film, they will understand the true message behind it.