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Time of India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kannappa footage theft case thickens as Vishnu alleges Manoj's aides' involvement
The missing Kannappa footage controversy has taken a dramatic turn, as Vishnu Manchu revealed that individuals previously associated with his younger brother Manoj Manchu are connected to the disappearance of the film's footage. During an interaction with media in Chennai as part of the promotions for his upcoming film Kannappa on Friday, Vishnu alleged, 'Raghu and Charitha (the two people currently under investigation for the missing footage) had previously worked with my brother, Manchu Manoj. However, I cannot confirm if the footage was taken under his direction. Four weeks ago, before we even filed a formal complaint, we reached out to Manoj through mutual friends to express our concerns and asked for the material to be returned. But there was no response.' He added, 'When the VFX-related hard disk was sent from Mumbai, it was delivered to my father Mohan Babu's residence in Film Nagar — which is standard procedure. We are three siblings, and all our packages are routinely sent there. Our respective managers usually collect them from that location. Similarly, the hard disk in question arrived at our dad's residence, where it was handed over to Raghu and Charitha. They have been missing ever since. ' Quote: On May 18, a tweet began circulating, speculating, What if Kannappa movie's hard disk gets leaked online? This heightened our worries. Before filing the FIR, we reached out to Manoj through common friends and urged him to return it (missing hard drive). But there was no response. Buzz is that it is at his residence - Vishnu Manchu Vishnu urged viewers to refrain from watching or circulating the material if it is leaked online. 'The 70-minute VFX-heavy segment is password protected. But if any footage does get leaked We sincerely request everyone please don't watch or share it. We've put immense effort into this project. I would be truly relieved if the hard drive is returned. Thankfully, we do have a backup.' Background According to a complaint filed by Executive Producer Reddy Vijay Kumar on Sunday, the package was received on May 25 at Mohan Babu's Film Nagar residence by office assistant Raghu, who then handed it over to a woman named Charitha. Both have been missing since. The Film Nagar Police have registered a case against them under Section 316(2) of the BNS for criminal breach of trust. Efforts are ongoing to trace them and recover the footage. Kannappa film footage controversy timeline May 27: Reports emerge that VFX-heavy footage of Kannappa has gone missing. May 27: A formal complaint is filed against Raghu and Charitha, accusing them of stealing the footage. May 31: Manchu Vishnu alleged that Raghu and Charitha, who previously worked with Manoj, handled the footage. -TNN 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 .
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Police notice to ‘Kannappa' producers over film hard disc theft plaint
1 2 Hyderabad: Following a complaint of theft of a hard disc of the upcoming big-budget movie 'Kannappa', the police have issued a notice to executive producer (complainant) of the production company to appear before the investigating officer (IO) within two days with evidence. Kannappa is a multi-starrer, multi-lingual film produced by Mohan Babu and has some of the biggest names in the industry such as Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajol and Prabhas. On Sunday, Reddy Vijay Kumar, executive producer of city-based production company 24 Frames Factory Pvt Ltd, had lodged a complaint with Film Nagar police alleging that two persons, Raghu and Charitha, had illegally obtained the hard disc containing footage and VFX data of 'Kannappa'. The incident happened on March 25 when a Mumbai-based associate, Hive Studios, sent the hard drive to the Film Nagar office, he said. "According to courier company records, the hard disc was received by Raghu who handed it over to Charitha without any authorisation. Despite repeated attempts to contact her, she remained evasive and unresponsive. This unauthorised possession presents a serious threat to our project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Any leak could lead to significant financial loss and irreparable damage to our company," Vijay Kumar said in his complaint. With the company in their statement alleging a "plan to leak over 90 minutes of unreleased footage online to derail the release of Kannappa", investigators are also looking into whether the feud within the Manchu family played any role in the breach. After the news about theft broke in the media on Tuesday, 'Kannappa' lead actor Manchu Vishnu, who is also the MD of 24 Frames, posted a message on X which soon went viral: "Jatajoothadhari, neekosam tapassu chese naakenduku ee pareeksha swamy (Lord Shiva, why should I, who am doing penance for you, be put to this test?)." Film Nagar inspector S Santhosham said, "We have issued a notice to the complainant on Wednesday asking him to appear before the IO. Based on the evidence and the statement, we will proceed further with the investigation." A case has been registered under Section 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the BNS against Raghu and Charitha.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- 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.
Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kannappa producers issue first statement after hard drive containing footage gets stolen: ‘This isn't mischief, its sabotage'
Kannappa makers call hard drive theft an act of sabotage And now, in a statement on X, the production house 24 Frames Factory has issued a formal statement addressing the matter. It claimed that the two individuals Raghu and Charitha, who received the delivery of the courier are unauthorized and not related in any way to the producers. Kannappa makers then stated they are aware of who actually orchestrated this theft and added that even the investigative team behind the case knows the identity. They tagged it an act of personal vendetta and sabotage. The statement read, '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 behavior.' Makers apprehend culprits plan on releasing the stolen footage In an interesting revelation in the same statement, the production house claimed that the stolen footage is 90 minutes long. They added that, based on strong intel, they're aware of the next plan of the culprits, where they would release this footage online ahead of the film's theatrical release so as to spoil it. More about Kannappa Coming back to the film, the Telugu fantasy film is directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu. The movie is based on the legend of Kannappa, who has been a stoic figure in the history of Hinduism and a true devotee of Lord Shiva.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- 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.
