'Kannappa': Mohan Babu's biggest gamble doesn't inspire confidence

Mohan Babu is producing a magnum opus. Titled 'Kannappa – A True Epic Indian Tale', the film is touted to be an epic-scale pan-India movie featuring "distinguished" artists from across the country. For now, though, only two names have been announced: Vishnu Manchu and Nupur Sanon. Mohan Babu is bankrolling the "dream project" on 24 Frames Factory and AVA Entertainment. The budget is said to be upwards of Rs 100 Cr. If you thought someone who has delivered box-office hits down South is helming the project, you are wrong. Director Mukesh Kumar Singh is on board to wield the megaphone. He has previously made a couple of Hindi-language mythological and historical serials on TV. Paruchuri Gopalakrishna, Thota Prasad, Thotapalli Sainath, and Burra Sai Madhav have been chosen to write the devotional flick. Paruchuri reigned supreme once upon a time but he is hardly the writer you have to rely on today. Sainath is a veteran writer who was last associated with 'Baahubali: The Beginning' but his speculated contribution to that film was not significant. Sainath hasn't worked prominently on any major hit in the last many, many years. The same holds true for Thota Prasad. Burra Sai Madhav is the only writer who has a grip on contemporary trends. Considering these factors, 'Kannappa' comes across as a big gamble. Only a massive star cast can ensure grand openings for it.