Vishnu Manchu restores Mohan Babu's first car, a Premier Padmini
Synopsis
Vishnu Manchu has restored his father Mohan Babu's first car — a vintage Premier Padmini — and shared the reveal on social media. The gesture doubles as a tribute to family legacy and comes as the actor marks one year of his pan-Indian epic 'Kannappa', making it a rare confluence of personal sentiment and public milestone.
Key Takeaways
Vishnu Manchu announced on Tuesday that he has restored his father Mohan Babu's first car, a vintage Premier Padmini .
The actor shared a video of the restored vehicle on his social media handles, calling it 'a little piece of our family history.' The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of his pan-Indian film 'Kannappa' , directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh . 'Kannappa' featured Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, Mohanlal as Kirata, and Prabhas as Rudra alongside Vishnu in the title role.
The Premier Padmini was a defining Indian automobile from the 1960s to the 1990s , making the restoration a nod to both family and national automotive heritage.
Actor and producer Vishnu Manchu on Tuesday revealed that he has lovingly restored his father Mohan Babu's first car — a vintage Premier Padmini — bringing the classic automobile back to road-ready condition. The announcement came via a video shared across his social media handles, offering fans a glimpse of the meticulously revived vehicle.
The Restoration Unveiled
Sharing the video, Vishnu wrote: 'Some things are more than just machines. This vintage Premier Padmini was my dad's first car — a memory that deserved to be brought back to life. After restoring it with a lot of love and attention to detail, it's finally ready to hit the road again. A little piece of our family history, restored to its former glory. #premierpadmini #vintagecar #oldisgold.'
The Premier Padmini, a compact saloon that was a staple of Indian roads from the 1960s through the 1990s, holds deep sentimental value for the Manchu family. Restoring it is as much an act of filial devotion as it is a nod to automotive heritage.
A Year of Milestones for Vishnu Manchu
The restoration comes at a personally significant time for the actor. His pan-Indian mythological epic 'Kannappa' recently completed one year since its release — a milestone he marked with an emotional note. 'One year ago today, Kannappa found its way to all of you. Some films entertain. Some films change you. Kannappa did both for me,' he had written.
He added: 'It was a journey of faith, sacrifice, and belief. A journey that tested me in every possible way and gave me memories I will carry for a lifetime… Your love has kept Kannappa alive far beyond its release. A year later, my heart is still full. Har Har Mahadev.'
About 'Kannappa'
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, 'Kannappa' featured Vishnu Manchu in the titular role of Thinnadu (Kannappa), a fearless warrior-turned-devotee of Lord Shiva. The film boasted a star-studded ensemble: Akshay Kumar played Lord Shiva, Mohanlal appeared as Kirata, Prabhas portrayed Rudra, and Preity Mukhundan played the role of Nemeli.
Legacy and What It Means
The Premier Padmini restoration underscores a broader cultural moment — a generation of Indians reconnecting with vintage automobiles as symbols of personal and national memory. For the Manchu family, one of Telugu cinema's most prominent dynasties, the car is a tangible link to their origins. Notably, this kind of heritage preservation is increasingly resonating with audiences on social media, where vintage restoration content consistently draws strong engagement. With both a restored family heirloom and a milestone film behind him, Vishnu Manchu appears to be in a reflective, celebratory phase heading into his next projects.
Point of View
And Vishnu Manchu's framing of it as family legacy rather than a collector's project gives it emotional reach beyond auto enthusiasts. Coming on the heels of 'Kannappa's' one-year mark, it reinforces a deliberate public image: a son, a storyteller, a custodian of heritage. Whether this translates into sustained audience engagement ahead of his next project remains to be seen, but the instinct to lead with sentiment over spectacle is well-calibrated for the current digital moment.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What car did Vishnu Manchu restore for his father Mohan Babu?
Vishnu Manchu restored a vintage Premier Padmini, which was his father Mohan Babu's first car. He shared a video of the restored vehicle on social media, describing it as 'a little piece of our family history, restored to its former glory.'
Why is the Premier Padmini significant?
The Premier Padmini was one of India's most iconic compact cars, produced from the 1960s through the 1990s. As Mohan Babu's first car, it holds deep personal significance for the Manchu family, making its restoration an act of both heritage preservation and filial tribute.
What is 'Kannappa' and how does it connect to this announcement?
'Kannappa' is a pan-Indian mythological film directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, in which Vishnu Manchu plays the title role of Thinnadu (Kannappa). The restoration announcement came around the same time as the film's one-year anniversary, marking a personally significant period for the actor.
Who starred in 'Kannappa' alongside Vishnu Manchu?
The film featured Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, Mohanlal as Kirata, Prabhas as Rudra, and Preity Mukhundan as Nemeli, alongside Vishnu Manchu in the titular role.
Where did Vishnu Manchu share the car restoration video?
Vishnu Manchu shared the restoration video across his social media handles, accompanied by a personal note about the car's sentimental value to his family.
