Shiva Balaji on Kannappa: “Prabhas Shines for 40 Minutes, Vishnu Looked After Every Detail
How the Role Came His Way
Shiva Balaji recalled that it all began during a casual lunch at Mohan Babu’s office, where he, Vishnu Manchu, and Mohan Babu were present. While discussing the film, Mohan Babu questioned why Shiva wasn’t cast. Vishnu initially felt there wasn’t enough scope for Shiva’s involvement, but Mohan Babu was insistent. The very next day, the actor was confirmed to play Mahadeva Sastry’s son.
Building the Character
Rather than relying on external research, Shiva says he mirrored Mohan Babu’s stern on-screen demeanor to shape his own character. He added that although it’s not explicitly shown in the film, the strained relationship between father and son carries emotional depth.
Role in the Story
Though it’s not a lead role, Shiva describes his character as significant. The story revolves around access to the sacred Vayu Lingam, with only Mahadeva Sastry having the right to iteven his son is denied access. Shiva shares substantial scenes with Mohan Babu and praises the writing behind the role.
On Picking Scripts Carefully
Shiva admits he’s become more selective over the years. Unless the script offers something meaningful, he chooses to step away. That said, he’s glad he didn’t pass on Kannappa, calling it a project he would’ve regretted missing.
Kannappa – A Complete Experience
Having watched the film already, Shiva says Kannappa is more than just a movieit’s an emotional and spiritual ride, especially in the second half. He also revealed that Prabhas has a solid 40-minute presence in the movie and that his character holds immense weight in the narrative.
On the Star Cast
Every actor, Shiva says, plays a strong part in the journey. Mohanlal’s entry changes the flow of the story, while Akshay Kumar, as Lord Shiva, brings calm authority with simple yet powerful dialogues. Interestingly, Prabhas was initially considered for Lord Shiva but later ended up playing a different key role.
Behind the Scenes with the Team
Speaking about Mohan Babu off-screen, Shiva describes him as caring and family-like. He also credits Vishnu Manchu for handling production with sharp focus and attention to detail. Shiva even helped out with food arrangements and brought a chef along during the shoot in New Zealand, where the team leased around 7000 acres for filming.
Director and Co-stars
He calls director Mukesh Kumar Singh extremely soft-spoken and respectful, saying his knowledge of history and commitment to storytelling were essential to the film. He also speaks fondly about bonding with Vishnu Manchu, especially during their time working together on and off camera.
Views on Social Media & OTT
Shiva expressed concern over the negative influence of some social media influencers, noting that it’s not just celebrities, but common people who are being affected. On the OTT front, he’s open to projects and plans to return with Recce 2 soon.
About Controversial Scenes
Addressing rumors about controversial content, Shiva clarifies that while some dialogues might have seemed objectionable to a few, the team chose to respectfully remove them to maintain harmony.
What’s Next?
Shiva revealed that his next film is a thriller being produced by Mohan Babu and helmed by a Tamil director. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.In wrapping up, Shiva said Kannappa isn’t just visually grand, but also deeply emotional, spiritual, and fulfillinga film that promises to leave a lasting impression.
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