Kannappa OTT release: Akshay as Mahadev, Vishnu Manchu’s film to stream soon
Vishnu Manchu’s ambitious mythological action film Kannappa hit theatres on June 27 and received a mixed response at the box office. During promotional interviews, Vishnu revealed that he deliberately held off on selling the OTT rights early, choosing instead to observe the film’s theatrical performance first.
Now, as per a report by 123Telugu, the film is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Video from July 25. However, an official confirmation from the makers or the platform is still awaited.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Vishnu Manchu plays the titular role — a devoted follower of Mahadev — while Akshay Kumar makes a special appearance as Lord Mahadev. Other key cast members include:
Preity Mukhundhan as the female lead (replacing Nupur Sanon)
Mohan Babu (also the film’s producer under Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures)
Kajal Aggarwal
Sarathkumar
Madhoo
Mohanlal as Kirata (cameo)
Prabhas as Rudra (cameo)
The film’s music is composed by Stephen Devassy.
OTT Trend in Telugu Cinema
If the July 25 release date holds true, Kannappa will join the growing list of Telugu films opting for an early OTT debut — within a month of their theatrical release. This trend is becoming increasingly popular, allowing filmmakers to reach wider audiences quickly and helping films gain traction even if they underperform at the box office.
Earlier this year, Nani’s 'Hit: The Third Case' followed a similar pattern. It was released in theatres on May 1 and started streaming on Netflix by May 29, less than four weeks later. Despite a production budget of ₹65 crore and a box office return of ₹120 crore, reports suggest that Netflix acquired its digital rights for ₹54 crore, boosting its post-theatre run significantly.
As Kannappa gears up for its digital release, fans who missed the theatrical screening will soon get the chance to enjoy the mythological spectacle from the comfort of their homes.