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The much-anticipated mythological film *Kannappa*, starring Vishnu Manchu, created immense excitement among fans with its star-studded cast, including superstars like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal. However, despite a strong start at the box office, the film has suffered a major setback due to piracy.
Shortly after its release on June 27, *Kannappa* fell prey to online piracy. Actor and producer Vishnu Manchu took to X, urging fans to avoid pirated versions and watch the film legally. In his post, he stated, “Dear movie lovers, *Kannappa* has been targeted by piracy. Over 30,000 illegal links have already been removed. Piracy is theft, plain and simple. We don’t teach our children to steal, and watching pirated content is no different. Please don’t encourage it. Support the film the right way. Har Har Mahadev.”
This is not the first instance of a big-budget South Indian film being leaked online. Previously, films like Ram Charan’s *Game Changer*, Naga Chaitanya’s *Thandel*, and Mohanlal’s *Thudarum* faced similar issues. Notably, an HD copy of *Game Changer* was leaked online on its release day and even broadcast on a local TV channel, leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible.
*Kannappa* earned 23.75 crore rupees in its first three days. However, the impact of piracy was evident as collections dropped to just 7.25 crore rupees on Sunday, June 29, a holiday. With a reported budget of approximately 200 crore rupees, trade analysts believe the film is unlikely to reach a “safe zone” at the Indian box office, potentially facing significant financial losses.
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu, *Kannappa* features Vishnu Manchu in the lead, alongside Preeti Mukhundhan, Kajal Aggarwal, R. Sarathkumar, and others, with special appearances by Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, and Mohanlal. The story revolves around an tribal warrior, Kannappa, who transforms into one of Lord Shiva’s greatest devotees.
