At a press conference for Kannappa`s Hindi teaser launch, Akshay Kumar addressed the Shivling hugging controversy from the song Mahakal Chalo, defending his actions by comparing Bhagwan to his parents. He emphasized that if his devotion is misunderstood, it`s not his fault. The makers of Kannappa also supported him. This film marks Akshay`s Telugu debut, where he plays Lord Shiva in the mythological drama directed by Vishnu Manchu. Kannappa is set to release on March 14, 2025.