Kannappa is a high-budget Telugu mythological drama directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu, starring Vishnu Manchu in the titular role, with cameo appearances by industry heavyweights including Prabhas, Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal, and marking Akshay Kumar’s Telugu film debut.
Originally slated for an April 2025 release, the film was postponed to late June to refine its VFX.
Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva
Akshay Kumar plays Lord Shiva, a pivotal cameo character, filmed over a rapid four-day shoot.
Reported Fee – Around ₹6 Crore
According to reports despite the cameo nature and short shoot schedule, Akshay reportedly charged ₹6 crore for his appearance.
This aligns with Akshay’s reputation as one of Bollywood’s highest-paid stars, balancing short-term shoots with premium fees.Unlike Akshay, Prabhas and Mohanlal offered zero remuneration, doing the film as a tribute to Mohan Babu, out of friendship and respect. Vishnu Manchu humorously recalled they “got emotional” when asked about payment .
Akshay’s Fee in the Broader Industry Context
Traditionally, A‑list Bollywood stars (Aamir, Salman, SRK, Akshay) can command ₹60 – 130 crore+ per film including profit-sharing .
But for cameo or short shoots, Akshay’s flat ₹6 crore is consistent: more than a “token” fee, yet well below full-scale stardom charges.
Why Akshay Kumar ₹6 Crore Makes Sense
1. Telugu debut hype: As a Bollywood major appearing in a Telugu myth‑epic, Akshay's entry was highly anticipated.
2. Brief shoot: A four-day shoot at ₹6 Cr ≈ ₹1.5 Cr/day—market‑rate for a superstar cameo.
3. Mutual benefit: He garners attention in Telugu and pan-Indian markets; Kannappa benefits from his nationwide stature.
🔎 Summary Table
Role : Lord Shiva (cameo)
Shoot duration : Only Four days
Reported fee ₹6 crore
Teammates’ fees Prabhas & Mohanlal: ₹0 No Fees Charges (out of goodwill)
Market context: A‑list stars can reach ₹60–130 Cr+ per film
Akshay’s model: High rate for brief cameo work, within norms.
Akshay Kumar’s ₹6 crore fee for Kannappa reflects his strategic value for a short cameo: significant enough to command attention, yet proportional to the time invested. Meanwhile, industry peers Prabhas and Mohanlal volunteered their services purely out of respect—a testament to the film’s familial vibe under Mohan Babu’s banner. In the grand scheme, ₹6 crore for a four-day shoot by a megastar is both reasonable and mutually rewarding.