Akshay Kumar and Vishnu Manchu claim this iconic Hollywood movie franchise was inspired by the Ramayana

Actors
Akshay Kumar
and
Vishnu Manchu
are preparing for the release of their mythological drama Kannappa, a Telugu-language film that delves into one of the most revered devotional tales in Indian culture. Under the direction of Mukesh Kumar Singh and backed by producer Mohan Babu, the film explores the life and faith of Kannappa, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Vishnu Manchu plays the titular role, while Akshay Kumar steps into the divine shoes of Shiva—marking his first appearance in a Telugu-language project. With a grand ensemble cast and high expectations,
Kannappa
is scheduled to hit cinemas on June 27.
Exploring India's Untapped Story Vault
During a recent promotional interaction with Bollywood Hungama, both Akshay and Vishnu discussed India's vast reservoir of mythology, folklore, and forgotten legends. They emphasized how the country holds an enormous library of tales that often go unnoticed or unadapted, even though they possess universal themes and cinematic potential. Akshay observed that many stories from Indian tradition have indirectly shaped the foundation of characters and plots that now define Western pop culture, especially in
Hollywood
.
From his perspective, several iconic superhero narratives mirror themes drawn from Indian scriptures and epic storytelling. Even as he prepared for Kannappa, Akshay discovered mythological stories that were entirely new to him, reinforcing the belief that Indian lore remains an underexplored treasure trove for filmmakers.
Tracing Western Inspiration to Indian Roots
Vishnu Manchu expanded on Akshay's remarks by pointing to specific instances where Indian narratives have allegedly influenced global blockbusters. He mentioned that the structure and storyline of the Ramayana may have inspired the Star Wars saga—a theory that has been discussed in film circles for decades. Additionally, he brought attention to the story behind the Hollywood classic
E.T.
, which many believe drew heavily from an unproduced Indian screenplay.
The origin of this claim dates back to the work of legendary Indian filmmaker
Satyajit Ray
. In the 1960s, Ray penned a science fiction script titled The Alien, centered on a friendly extraterrestrial who interacts with a young boy. The script reportedly made rounds in Hollywood but was never turned into a film. Years later, Steven Spielberg released E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, bearing striking similarities to Ray's concept. Though Spielberg has never acknowledged the influence, the comparisons continue to fuel speculation about Hollywood borrowing ideas from Indian creators.
A Star-Studded Devotional Spectacle
Kannappa brings together a powerful lineup of actors, including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, and Madhoo, among others. The film also features special cameo appearances by celebrated stars such as Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Kajal Aggarwal. Combining devotional passion with cinematic scale, the movie attempts to revive the tale of Kannappa for a new generation of audiences.
As Akshay Kumar and Vishnu Manchu champion
Indian mythology
on a global stage, Kannappa promises to be more than just a film—it aims to be a cultural tribute to devotion, storytelling, and cinematic heritage.

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