Akshay Kumar’s Telugu Debut: Akshay Rejected Lord Shiva Role Twice? Truth About ‘Kannappa’

By Sharad Rai

Akshay Kumar’s Telugu Debut: A multi-lingual film from South India, Kannappa, has generated a lot of excitement among audiences. Set to release across India on April 25, 2025, people are curious about what's in store and why Akshay Kumar's fans are eagerly awaiting this film. Kannappa is set to be the biggest star-studded movie ever made in Telugu, and it will feature Bollywood star Akshay Kumar in a key role. This marks Akshay Kumar's debut in a Telugu film, where he will be seen playing Lord Shiva.

Akshay Kumar’s Telugu Debut 'Kannappa' Epic Mythology

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Kannappa is the largest ensemble cast film in the history of cinema, blending mythology with drama. Produced by Mohan Babu and directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, this film is being made under the banners of AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. The film has gained attention mostly because of its star cast. Apart from Akshay Kumar, other major stars include Prabhas, Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal, and many others, who will portray divine roles. Akshay Kumar will play Lord Shiva, Prabhas will take on the role of Rudra, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will play Kirata, and Kajal Aggarwal will portray Goddess Parvati. Mohan Babu plays Mahadev Shastri, while Vishnu Manchu stars as Kannappa, the ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.

The teaser of the film features an impressive look of Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, which has grabbed the attention of fans and critics alike.

Kannappa: Pan-India Mythological Epic Releasing in Six Languages

Under the "Pan India" film initiative, "Kannappa" will be released in six languages (Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English). Kannappa is a mythological drama in Telugu that depicts the story of a devout follower of Lord Shiva, with the tagline "Atoot aastha aur antim balidaani."  The film showcases the pinnacle of devotion by a warrior to Lord Shiva. In Telugu mythology, Kannappa holds a unique and significant place.

Akshay Kumar Joins Vishnu Manchu’s ‘Kannappa’ as Lord Shiva

Vishnu Manchu, the filmmaker, shared that when the role of Lord Shiva was initially offered to Akshay Kumar, he hesitated to take it up. Akshay Kumar reportedly turned down the role twice. To convince him, the producers sent another director to meet him, and eventually, Akshay Kumar agreed to take on the role. This film will mark his debut in Telugu cinema, and Akshay was initially inclined to take on a hero-like role rather than a divine one. However, he eventually agreed, and his presence in the film, along with Prabhas, Mohanlal, and others, has led to an extraordinary ensemble cast.

Vishnu Manchu plays the titular role of Kannappa, and other actors in the film include Preity Mukhundhan, Nayanthara, Josita Anola,  Mohan Babu, Brahmanandam, Mukesh Rishi, Shiva Rajkumar, R. Satish Kumar, and Madhoo, among others. The film will portray Kannappa as the ultimate devotee, a warrior with immense courage and unwavering faith.

Kannappa: Akshay Kumar & Prabhas in a Pan-India Mythology Epic

The making of the film has been surrounded by several interesting incidents, such as the teaser of Kannappa receiving considerable attention at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, with the film's production being widely praised. There was also an incident where Prabhas's look from the film was leaked, prompting the producers to announce a hefty reward for anyone who could identify the person responsible for the leak.

Kannappa is expected to portray a strong message of feminine power, and its appeal will extend to a pan-India audience. It is a movie that blends mythology with a powerful modern narrative.

Akshay Kumar had previously portrayed Lord Krishna in the OMG franchise, and now, he will play Lord Shiva in Kannappa. At a time when the country is observing religious rituals and festivals like the Kumbh, the anticipation around Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Lord Shiva has risen among his fans and devotees alike.