Overview

• A viral July 9 clip from Kannappa shows Kumar delivering a Lord Shiva monologue while viewers noticed his eyes shifting side-to-side, prompting claims he was reading from a teleprompter placed off-camera.
• Similar allegations emerged early this year during promotions of his film Sarfira, when eagle-eyed fans recorded comparable off-screen glances.
• Viewers argue that teleprompter use is unusual in Indian film acting and undermines the authenticity expected in mythological roles.
• Kumar has not publicly addressed the latest accusations and continues with projects such as Hera Pheri 3 despite the backlash.
• Kannappa is a high-budget Telugu devotional epic directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, produced by Vishnu Manchu and filmed in New Zealand with actors Prabhas, Mohanlal and Kajal Aggarwal.