Mohan Babu Hugged Me After Watching Kannappa: Director Mukesh Kumar Singh
How did your journey with Kannappa begin?
It started when director Eshwar Reddy called me about the Mahabharat series I had worked on. I clarified that it wasn’t a solo projecttwo other directors were involved too. Later, actor Anup Singh Thakur, who played Dhritarashtra and had worked with Vishnu earlier, told me Vishnu wanted to speak to me.
Vishnu called and invited me to Hyderabad. We spoke for nearly four hours about the film. A few weeks later, I met Mohan Babu garu. We spoke about Mahabharat for an hour, and right after that, he told Vishnu, “This is the man who will direct Kannappa.”
Were you familiar with Kannappa’s story before?
Not much. I heard the story from Vishnu and then did my own research. I don’t depend only on writersI read articles, watched videos, and visited temples in Tirupati and Sri Kalahasti over ten times. I also spent time with temple priests to understand the cultural and spiritual depth.
How was the shift from TV to cinema?
I’ve worked on TV shows and even made English-language films. While TV moves fast, cinema allows for proper planning. I officially joined Kannappa in January and we began filming in October, on my birthday.
Managing big stars like Prabhas, Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumarwas it tough?
Not at all. It was actually easier than handling TV actors. Stars like Mohan Babu garu, Prabhas, and Vishnu are disciplined and committed. Initially, it took time to adjust to my style of sharing detailed scene notes, but once we synced up, everything ran smoothly.
Was the film made only in Telugu?
No. The Kailasam portions were shot in Telugu, but Lord Shiva and Parvati’s scenes were shot in both Telugu and Hindi. The film is dubbed in multiple languages for pan-India release.
Did you watch older Kannappa movies?
Yes, all of them. They were inspirational, and I did feel some pressure. But when you watch the final one hour of our version, I believe you'll see how Vishnu truly lived the role.
Tell us about the art and visual design.
Art director Chinna did amazing groundwork. We had technicians from Mumbai and Los Angeles. My team even visited museums to study ancient weapons. Originally, we planned to shoot just 20 days in New Zealandbut the locations were so good, we ended up shooting most of the film there. Budget was never an issueVishnu ensured we had whatever was needed.
What role does Prabhas play in the film?
Every character in Kannappa has depththere are no fillers. Prabhas has a powerful role with solid screen time. Mohan Babu garu hugged me after watching the film. That moment meant everything to me.
13 cuts were made for censor certificationwhy?
We made those changes to get a U or U/A rating. Some action scenes were intense, and we wanted the film to be accessible to all age groups.
How much of the story is fictionalized?
The original Kannappa story is just a page and a half in texts like Periya Puranam and Bhagavata Purana. We expanded on it while staying true to the core emotion. We didn’t alter the soul of the story.
Who worked on the dialogues?
I worked with Telugu-speaking ADs and translated most dialogues myself. Vishnu, Mohan Babu garu, and a few writers helped polish them.
What was the reaction from priests at Sri Kalahasti?
We screened it for them, and they were very happy. They asked when Part 2 was coming and said not a word needed to be changed. That feedback was priceless.
How did you connect the story with today’s audience?
This isn’t a mythological filmit’s historical. There are many versions of Kannappa’s story. Some say he was a tribal, others believe he was Arjuna reborn. But what matters most is the core message: a man who gave his eyes for Lord Shiva. That’s a timeless act of devotion.
Are you planning a Mahabharata film next?
Yes. I’ve done it on TV, but cinema gives a bigger canvas. I admire Rajamouli garuafter Satyajit Ray, he’s the one who truly raised Indian cinema globally.
Your view on graphics in films today?
VFX is important, but it should enhance the story, not overpower it. Real elements mixed with graphics make the best experience.
Final thoughts on Mohan Babu garu’s role?
He plays a very unique and never-seen-before character in Kannappa. He’s also the villain in Nani’s next film. His intensity and versatility are going to impress everyone.
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