Akshay Kumar, Madhoo, Vishnu Manchu and Mukesh Kumar Singh attended the teaser launch of the Pan-India film Kannappa in Mumbai. Vishnu Manchu gave an interesting intro speech and shared interesting trivia.

Kannappa teaser launch: Akshay Kumar rejected the film twice; Vishnu Manchu declares, “I hope Akshay is the face of Lord Shiva for this generation; many started with him but ONLY he became a superstar”

Vishnu Manchu spoke about Akshay playing Lord Shiva in the film saying, “I didn’t have a personal connection with Akshay Kumar. But I am grateful to have met him through this film. He’s a wonderful human being. I am a junior to him as an actor and I have a lot to learn from him. When he walked into the set, I learned much more. People like Mr Akshay Kumar inspire people just by being who they are. Today he’s one of the biggest superstars in the country. There are many other actors in the country who came along with him. But not everyone became a superstar. He sustained and that happened because of his discipline and his love for the craft. I have to learn that from him.”

Vishnu continued, “All the people you see on the poster, be it Mohan Babu, Mohnalal or Prabhas, they all have undying spirit and the attitude of never giving up. That’s what I learned from them. They all acted in the film because of the love and respect that they have for my father. I have to be grateful to Mr Mohanlal. He’s a legend on his own. Prabhas is my brother. He didn’t even think twice (before signing the role). My father, in fact, called me. I was scared. He told me, ‘Don’t ask him (Prabhas) to call me. You should have called him’!”

Vishnu Manchu then revealed, “I am grateful to all of them, including Mr Akshay Kumar. For an actor of his stature, he didn’t have to essay the character that he did in this film. But for me, when I thought of Lord Shiva, it was him. It wasn’t easy getting him on board. He rejected the role twice! Ultimately, it was Lord Shiva’s insistence that I guess that he agreed (smiles).”

He added, “For this generation, anybody who thinks of Lord Shiva, I hope and I am confident it’ll be Mr Akshay Kumar’s picture that would come into our minds!”

Kannappa releases in cinemas on April 25.

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