Amidst cases, Manchu Vishnu bonds close ties with BJP

Actor-producer Manchu Vishnu, accompanied by his father, veteran Telugu star Mohan Babu, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow yesterday, April 9, 2025, to unveil the new release date poster for Vishnu’s ambitious film Kannappa.

The high-profile meeting, which also included filmmaker Prabhu Deva and executive producer Vinay Maheshwari, has fueled speculation about Vishnu’s intentions—particularly whether he is attempting to curry favor with BJP leaders amid an escalating legal and personal battle with his younger brother, Manchu Manoj.

The visit, ostensibly centered on promoting Kannappa—now slated for a June 27 release—saw Vishnu and Mohan Babu engaging in a warm exchange with CM Yogi, who praised the film’s cultural significance and its portrayal of Indian mythology.

Vishnu described the meeting as “a moment of immense honour,” noting that Yogi’s endorsement of the project reaffirmed its spiritual and cinematic value. The team presented the CM with a painting and extended an invitation for him to watch the film and visit Tirupati, home to Mohan Babu University.

Timing of the meeting raises speculations

However, the timing of this meeting has raised eyebrows, coming as it does against the backdrop of a bitter family feud that has spilled into the public domain. Just hours before the Lucknow visit, Manoj staged a dramatic protest outside their father’s Jalpally residence in Hyderabad, alleging he was denied entry despite court approval.

Manoj has filed multiple complaints against Vishnu, accusing him of trespassing, theft, and even orchestrating a “calculated sabotage” by tampering with generators at his home—claims Vishnu has not directly addressed. The ongoing rift, which also involves their father Mohan Babu, has seen legal notices, police interventions, and public accusations flying between the brothers.

Trying for political benefits?

Political observers and Tollywood insiders are now speculating whether Vishnu’s outreach to Yogi Adityanath, most popular after PM Modi in BJP, signals an attempt to bolster his image and gain influential allies amid the controversy.

Vishnu’s Kannappa, featuring stars like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal, is a high-stakes project, and aligning with BJP leaders could serve to elevate its national profile while distancing him from the messy familial fallout.

The BJP connection isn’t entirely new for Vishnu. His focus on a mythological narrative in Kannappa aligns with the party’s emphasis on cultural heritage, and this isn’t the first time the Manchu family has engaged with political figures for promotional purposes. However, the contrast between Vishnu’s high-profile Lucknow trip and Manoj’s protest in Hyderabad has only intensified public scrutiny.

Trending discussions on social media suggest fans and critics alike are divided—some see Vishnu’s actions as a savvy PR move, while others accuse him of sidestepping accountability in the feud.