June 1, 2025: Tensions within the Manchu family have erupted into public view yet again as actor-producer Vishnu Manchu made a stunning allegation against individuals linked to his brother, Manoj Manchu, in connection with the theft of sensitive VFX material from his much-anticipated film Kannappa.
At a press meet held in Chennai on Friday, Vishnu revealed that two individuals, Raghu and Charitha, who are allegedly connected to Manoj’s team, are suspected of stealing a hard disk containing crucial VFX footage for the film. The disk had been couriered from Mumbai and was received at the family’s Film Nagar residence—home to veteran actor Mohan Babu, the patriarch of the Manchu family.
“We don’t know if they stole it or acted upon someone’s orders,” Vishnu said, maintaining that the investigation is ongoing. “It was after these attempts we filed a police complaint.”
Theft and Family Fallout
According to Vishnu, Kannappa’s VFX work is being executed across multiple cities including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Dubai, and London. The stolen hard disk was reportedly handed over to Raghu and Charitha at the Manchu residence—standard practice for deliveries to the family. However, the duo has since gone missing.
The incident has reignited speculation about an ongoing rift between the Manchu brothers. Manoj Manchu has reportedly distanced himself from the family in recent years and no longer resides at their Film Nagar property.
Security and Legal Action
Vishnu assured fans that the content of the stolen hard drive is protected by high-level encryption.
“99 per cent, you cannot crack the password. There is a one per cent chance though. Even if they manage to leak the footage, I urge everyone not to watch it. A lot of hard work has gone into the film,” he appealed.
An FIR filed with Hyderabad police supports Vishnu’s account, alleging the drive was taken “without any authorisation and with malicious and deliberate intent.” The footage was initially sent from a VFX vendor in Mumbai to the office of Vishnu’s production house, 24 Frames Factory, before it went missing.
A statement released earlier by Vishnu’s team described the act as a possible case of “sabotage and personal vendetta.”
About Kannappa
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa is a high-budget mythological epic based on the devotee of Lord Shiva. The film features Vishnu Manchu in the lead, with a pan-India cast and extensive visual effects. The film is scheduled to release on June 27, and the production team is reportedly working around the clock to ensure the release is not delayed by the incident.
As of now, no official statement has been released by Manoj Manchu, adding to the suspense surrounding the family dispute.