Movie: Kannappa
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Twenty Four Frames Factory & AVA Entertainment
Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Sarat Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Preity Mukundhan, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri, Mukesh Rishi, Madhubala, Aishwarya Bhaskaran, Brahmaji, Devaraj, Raghu Babu, Siva Balaji.
Music: Stephen Devassy
DOP: Sheldon Chau
Editor: Anthony Gonsalvez
Production Designer: Chinna
Story and Screenplay: Vishnu Manchu
Producer: M Mohan Babu
Written and directed by: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Release Date: June 27, 2025
“Kannappa” has been aggressively promoted nationwide by Vishnu Manchu. Adding to the buzz are big names like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal, whose involvement has generated immense excitement. Amid all the hype and anticipation, the film finally hit theaters today.
Let’s dive into the analysis.
Story:
Tinnadu (Vishnu Manchu) lives in a forest with his father, the head of their tribe. A staunch non-believer, Tinnadu refuses to bow before the village deity.
He falls in love with Nemali (Priety Mukundhan), the daughter of another tribal chief and a devoted follower of Lord Shiva.
Even for Nemali’s sake, Tinnadu refuses to offer prayers to God.
The story then traces his powerful transformation into a devout follower of Lord Shiva, becoming the revered Kannappa, after he encounters Rudra (Prabhas) and when Nemali finds herself in grave danger.
Artistes’ Performances:
The true hero of the film is Prabhas, who appears in the final 30 minutes. As Rudhra, Prabhas not only looks serene but also delivers a captivating performance. His sequences are well-conceived, and with his screen presence, he elevates the entire episode, and the film.
Vishnu Manchu as Tinnadu doesn’t leave a strong impression for the most part, but he redeems himself with a convincing performance in the final act, when he transforms into Kannappa. His devotional part is neat.
Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shastri is another major highlight. His commanding presence and performance lend significant weight to the proceedings.
Mohanlal appears briefly, adding star value, though his character isn’t given much depth.
Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal, as Lord Shiva and Parvati, are passable. Their roles appear intermittently, reminiscent of characters in old mythological films.
The most grating characters are played by Madhubala and Aishwarya Bhaskaran—both completely miscast.
Preity Mukundhan, the main heroine, brings glam appeal, but her costumes feel inappropriate for a devotional film of this nature.
Sarath Kumar as Vishnu’s father is adequate, while Mukesh Rishi contributes little to the narrative.
The comedy track featuring Brahmanandam and Saptagiri feels mediocre and entirely unnecessary.
Technical Excellence:
Much of the film was shot in New Zealand, and the crystal-clear landscapes and lush greenery greatly enhance its visual appeal. However, some portions don't convincingly resemble Indian topography, which creates a slight disconnect.
While the cinematography and locations are impressive overall, the visual effects fall short. They appear poor quality. Aand the film clearly needed stronger graphics work.
The songs are neat within the narrative flow, but they lack a lasting impact or memorability. The background score however works in the final portions.
Editing is a major drawback. Several scenes feel stretched and could have been trimmed or handled with more precision. The action sequences are another weak point, poorly choreographed and lacking intensity.
Highlights:
Prabhas’s presence and episodes
Final 30 minutes
Drawback:
The entire first half is flat and unengaging
Lack of wow factor
Lengthy runtime
The tribal sequences and fights
Analysis
Kannappa is essentially a devotional film rooted in mythology. It narrates the journey of a tribal atheist who transforms into a great devotee of Lord Shiva, while also weaving in elements from the Mahabharata and other mythological references.
The core storyline has strong potential for a compelling spiritual narrative. However, Manchu Vishnu and his writing team have segmented the film into three uneven parts — the first half focuses heavily on action and romance, the next portion touches upon mythological elements, and only the final 40 minutes delve into the true devotional arc.
The devotional aspects, which are the heart of the story, should have been introduced much earlier to maintain audience engagement. As a result, the entire first half feels sluggish and flat.
Until Mohanlal’s character appears just before the interval, Kannappa struggles to generate much excitement.
The first half is entirely centered around Tinnadu (played by Manchu Vishnu), focusing on his bravery, atheism, and inter-tribal conflicts. These tribal episodes, particularly the fight sequences, feel reminiscent of Kanguva. While the heroine’s entry and brief romantic interlude offer some visual relief, the overall first half lacks an engaging spark.
The film briefly regains momentum with the introduction of Mohanlal’s character, but it dips again soon after, until Prabhas makes his entry. From the moment Prabhas arrives, the film shifts gears. The stretch from his introduction to the climax is gripping and commands attention.
Prabhas fits the role of Rudhra perfectly. His commanding presence and restrained performance elevate this segment significantly. Following his track, the film transitions into a purely devotional space involving Vishnu’s character, which is arguably the strongest portion of the narrative.
This uneven pacing is the core issue with Kannappa. Viewers are expected to sit through over an hour and a half of flat, uninspiring content before reaching the emotionally resonant devotional payoff. A more balanced structure — with devotional elements introduced earlier — could have made the film far more engaging throughout.
While Manchu Vishnu has clearly invested heavily and roped in top stars for pivotal roles, his spending seems lacking when it comes to visual effects. The graphics are subpar, and many tribal scenes and action sequences are poorly executed.
Overall, “Kannappa” leaves you with mixed feelings. The portions featuring Prabhas and the climax steeped in devotion stand out as highlights. These moments nearly redeem the film. However, viewers should manage their expectations and be prepared for a slow, dull one and half hours before the impactful final act.
Bottom-line: For The Last 30 Minutes