In a serious blow to the team behind Kannappa, the much-awaited mythological epic starring Vishnu Manchu, a hard drive containing vital unreleased footage—including key VFX content—has reportedly gone missing. The film, which is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on June 27, 2025, is now at the center of a criminal investigation.
The incident came to light when Reddy Vijay Kumar, Executive Producer of the Hyderabad-based Twenty-Four Frames Factory Pvt Ltd, lodged a police complaint with the Film Nagar police. He alleged that a hard drive carrying crucial VFX data, delivered to their office via courier from Mumbai-based HIVE Studios, had been misappropriated.
According to reports from Telugu media, the package was sent through DTDC and mysteriously went missing after arriving in Hyderabad. Acting on the complaint, the Film Nagar police registered a criminal case against two individuals for unlawful possession of the missing hard drive. The investigation is currently underway.
This breach has occurred at a critical time, as the production team is in the thick of promotional campaigns ahead of the film’s release. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa is a high-budget mythological spectacle based on the legend of a devout follower of Lord Shiva.
The film boasts a star-studded ensemble that includes Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan, and Madhoo. It also features special cameos by Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal, adding to the buzz around the project.
The production is being mounted on a lavish scale, with international talents like Hollywood cinematographer Sheldon Chau, stunt choreographer Kecha Khamphakdee, and renowned choreographers Prabhu Deva and Brinda. Large portions of the film have been shot in New Zealand, with artists from multiple Indian film industries coming together for this pan-India venture.
The missing hard drive poses a serious threat not only to the film’s production schedule but also to its tightly-guarded creative content. The outcome of the police investigation will be crucial in ensuring the safety of high-value digital assets in Indian cinema going forward.
