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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vishnu Manchu accuses brother Manoj of stealing hard disk with 'Kannappa' footage; asks fans not to watch leaked footage
Picture Credit: X Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu has accused his brother Manoj Manchu of being involved in the theft of a crucial hard disk containing footage from their upcoming mythological film 'Kannappa'. As per an India Today report, during a media interaction in Chennai, where Vishnu, who was promoting the film along with the cast, he claimed that a hard disk containing vital VFX work and pivotal scenes from 'Kannappa' was stolen. According to the report, the disk was sent from Hive Studios in Mumbai to their father Mohan Babu 's residence in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, which is the usual delivery point for packages meant for the Manchu siblings. The disk was handed over to two individuals named Raghu and Charitha, who have since gone missing. Vishnu alleged that the two are reportedly connected to Manoj Manchu, with Raghu acting as his personal assistant and Charitha linked to his office. The theft reportedly took place about four weeks ago, but the production team only filed a police complaint after multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact Manoj and his associates. Vishnu expressed concern over the potential leak of the footage but reassured that the hard disk is password-protected, making unauthorised access highly unlikely. He urged the public not to watch any leaked content, as immense effort had gone into making the film. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cubao : SUV Clearance Sale, Click Here To See Prices SUV Deals | Search Ads Search Now Undo "You all know what happened within our family. We tried to reach Manoj through our friends, but to no avail. We don't know if they stole it or acted upon someone's orders. It was after these attempts we filed a police complaint," he said. He addressed the controversy while requesting the media to refrain from probing into family matters during the promotional event. 'Kannappa' is a much-anticipated pan-Indian mythological drama directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. The film tells the story of Bhakta Kannappa, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, with Vishnu Manchu playing the titular role. The star-studded cast includes Mohan Babu, Sarathkumar, Madhoo, and cameo appearances by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. The film will hit the big screens on June 27. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Hard disk with ‘Kannappa' footage stolen before release?
HYDERABAD: A hard disk containing 90 minutes of crucial footage from the upcoming Manchu Vishnu-starrer Kannappa was allegedly stolen from the office of Twenty Four Frames Factory Pvt Ltd in Film Nagar, weeks ahead of its scheduled release on June 27. According to a complaint filed by Executive Producer Reddy Vijay Kumar, the footage — containing a key action sequence — was sent by Mumbai-based Hive Studios via courier on March 23. The package was received on May 25 by an office assistant, Raghu, who reportedly handed it over to a woman named Charitha. She has since gone missing with the hard disk, allegedly without authorisation. When the production team inquired with the courier service about a missing delivery, records confirmed the package was delivered and signed for by Raghu. The company suspects Charitha acted with malicious intent. Despite efforts, they have been unable to retrieve the footage, which includes sensitive VFX content. The team fears a leak could cause severe financial and reputational harm. The production house stated that neither of the accused is affiliated with the company and asserted the perpetrator's identity and motive are known.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The plot thickens: ‘Kannappa' footage stolen, Manchu pari‘war' hits climax
1 2 Hyderabad: A month ahead of its release, Tollywood's mythological offering Kannappa, produced by A-lister Mohan Babu with his son Vishnu Manchu in a titular role, has found itself in the middle of real-life drama. A criminal case of alleged data theft has raised suspicion over insider breach, hinting at a deepening family feud. On May 25, Film Nagar police registered a criminal case against two individuals, including a woman said to be personal assistant to a member of the Manchu family, for the "unauthorised possession of a hard drive containing unreleased, confidential and highly sensitive data pertaining to their film". The duo, Raghu and Charitha, were charged under Section 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the BNS. Investigators are now looking into whether personal relationships within the Manchu family played any role in the breach. The case was booked following a complaint by Vijay Kumar, the film's executive producer associated with 24 Frames Factory Pvt Ltd -- helmed by Vishnu Manchu. The company is perturbed by the alleged breach especially because the multi-starrer will see some of film industry's biggest names like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal and Kajol come together on screen. "A senior official confirmed that Charitha works closely with a family member of the producer and lead actor. We are exploring whether a family rift may be connected to this serious security lapse," a police official said. Film Nagar inspector Santhosham added, "We have called the complainant to record a detailed statement. Further investigation will proceed based on that." In a statement on Tuesday, the company alleged that a hard drive containing 90 minutes of unreleased footage, including a key action sequence and high-end VFX was "intercepted without authorisation" while it was in transit from Hive Studios in Mumbai to the company's Hyderabad office. "The package was unlawfully received and signed for by an individual named Raghu, who was acting under the instructions of Charitha," the company stated, adding, "Neither of them are employees, representatives, or associates of the company. Their act constitutes impersonation and theft," it said. Theft came to light month later According to the company, the theft came to light a month after the incident when the film team, having not received the drive, contacted Hive Studios to track its status. Hive Studios confirmed that the drive had been delivered on March 25 to the Film Nagar office through a private courier. "According to courier company records, the hard disk was received by Raghu, who then unlawfully handed it over to Charitha without any authorisation," said Vijay Kumar in his complaint to the police. He added: "Despite repeated attempts to contact her, she remained evasive and unresponsive. This unauthorised possession presents a serious threat to our project. Any leak or compromise could lead to significant financial loss and irreparable damage to our company. " The company also alleged that certain individuals may be plotting to leak the footage online as part of an effort to derail the film's release, raising fears of deliberate sabotage. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa is based on the legendary tale of the Shiva devotee Kannappa and is being produced on a grand, pan-Indian scale. The film's mythological theme and ensemble cast have already drawn widespread attention, making it one of the most ambitious projects under the Manchu family's banner.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kanappa team slams 'cowardly attempts' to leak 90 minutes of stolen footage
A hard disk containing crucial footage from the Vishnu Manchu-starrer 'Kannappa' was recently stolen. 24 Frames Factory, credited as one of the production companies, shared an official statement about the issue. The team condemned the 'cowardly attempts' to sabotage the epic action-drama ahead of its statement titled, "Official Statement From 24 Frames Factory Regarding The Theft Of Crucial Kanappa Footage,' read, "In response to circulating rumours and speculation, 24 Frames Factory is issuing this official statement to bring clarity to the situation. A hard drive containing a pivotal action sequence between two lead characters of Kannappa, along with critical VFX work, was stolen during transit. The drive was shipped from Hive Studios, Mumbai, and intended to be delivered to our official production office."advertisementIt further alleged, "Shockingly, the package was unlawfully intercepted and signed for by an individual named Mr. Raghu, who acted under the instructions of a woman named Charita. Neither of them are employees, representatives, or associates of 24 Frames Factory. Their act constitutes impersonation and theft. A police complaint was formally filed nearly four weeks ago, and the investigating authorities have been fully briefed on the identity of those behind this. It is no secret who orchestrated this attempt—both we and law enforcement are well aware of the forces at play. The perpetrator's identity is known, and the motive is clear." 24 Frames Factory also claimed, "More disturbingly, credible intelligence has recently emerged that these individuals, under guidance from the same source, are planning to leak over 90 minutes of unreleased footage online in a desperate attempt to derail the release of Kannappa. In response, the Executive Producer has formally escalated the matter to Cyber Crime authorities to take swift and firm action. It is disheartening to see such cheap and calculated tactics being deployed from within the industry itself. This is not mischief—it is sabotage, and it reflects a deeply unfortunate descent into personal vendetta-driven behaviour." 24 Frames Factory issued an official statement on 'Kanappa' hard-drive getting stolen ahead of its release. advertisementThe statement concluded, "At a time when Telugu cinema is earning global recognition, stooping to such levels is not just regressive—it is disgraceful. We stand united with our team, our cast, and every technician who has worked with unshakable commitment to make Kannappa a cinematic landmark. We will not be shaken by these cowardly attempts. Justice will be pursued with full force—and we trust that the truth, as always, will prevail. We urge the public and the media not to entertain or circulate any pirated content if it emerges, and to stand by the artists and technicians who have poured years of effort into this magnum opus. Integrity will triumph. – 24 Frames Factory"'Kanappa' is a mythological story about the legend of Kanappa based on Lord Shiva. Apart from Vishnu Manchu, it features Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Kajal Aggarwal, along with Akshay Kumar in pivotal characters. Manchu recently spoke about Prabhas's 30-minute extended cameo in the is scheduled to be released on June 27, 2025. IN THIS STORY#Prabhas
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vishnu Manchu's production house claims ‘sabotage, personal vendetta' behind Kannappa's stolen hard drive: ‘No secret who orchestrated this'
Just a month before the release of actor Vishnu Manchu's pan-Indian film Kannappa, a hard disk containing footage from the movie has allegedly been stolen from the office of his production house 24 Frames Factory in Hyderabad's Film Nagar. Now, 24 Frames Factory has released a statement, claiming that there's 'sabotage and personal vendetta' behind the robbery. In the statement, they confirmed that a hard drive was stolen. 'A hard drive containing a pivotal action sequence between two lead characters of Kannappa, along with critical VFX work, was stolen during transit. The drive was shipped from Hive Studios, Mumbai, and intended to be delivered to our official production office,' it read. Also Read | Hard disk with visuals of Vishnu Manchu starrer Kannappa 'stolen' from Hyderabad production house: Police Reports also suggested that the individuals who stole the drive were associated with Team Kannappa, but the production house dismissed those claims and added, 'Shockingly, the package was unlawfully intercepted and signed for by an individual named Mr. Raghu, who acted under the instructions of a woman named Charita. Neither of them are employees, representatives, or associates of 24 Frames Factory. Their act constitutes impersonation and theft.' Vishnu Manchu's production house 24 Frames Factory also revealed that a police complaint was filed around four weeks ago. 'A police complaint was formally filed nearly four weeks ago, and the investigating authorities have been fully briefed on the identity of those behind this. It is no secret who orchestrated this attempt—both we and law enforcement are well aware of the forces at play. The perpetrator's identity is known, and the motive is clear,' the statement said. They also claimed that the culprits have plans to leak more than 90 minutes of footage from Kannappa. 'More disturbingly, credible intelligence has recently emerged that these individuals, under guidance from the same source, are planning to leak over 90 minutes of unreleased footage online in a desperate attempt to derail the release of Kannappa. In response, the Executive Producer has formally escalated the matter to Cyber Crime authorities to take swift and firm action.' Vishnu's production house concluded the statement with, 'It is disheartening to see such cheap and calculated tactics being deployed from within the industry itself. This is not mischief—it is sabotage, and it reflects a deeply unfortunate descent into personal vendetta-driven behaviour. At a time when Telugu cinema is earning global recognition, stooping to such levels is not just regressive—it is disgraceful.' Also Read | 'Akshay Kumar rejected me twice, had to request Sudha Kongara to convince him,' recalls Kannappa star Vishnu Manchu: 'Couldn't afford his fees' According to a police complaint, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, the film's footage was sent to their office by Hive Studios, a VFX vendor, from Mumbai on March 23. The complaint further mentioned that the courier was sent by DTDC. A staff member of the production house received the courier and gave it to another staff member, who is allegedly absconding with the disk. 'The hard drive was taken without any authorisation and with malicious and deliberate intent,' the complaint, which is quoted in the FIR, read. Kannappa is set to hit theatres on June 27. It also features Mohan Babu, R Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan and Madhoo in pivotal roles and Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal in cameos.
