Kannappa movie review: A messy epic where devotion arrives too late
First off, because people had modest to low expectations on this film, it's safe to say that there are many positives here, more than expected. Vishnu Manchu's much-publicised magnum opus positions itself as a spiritual retelling of a tribal warrior's transformation into Lord Shiva's most ardent devotee. Unfortunately, it spends more time in disjointed subplots that don't do anything to the plot. By the time Kannappa finally discovers the pulse of its own story, some two hours into its bloated runtime, the audience is already spiritually liberated from the act of caring.
Director: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal
Kannappa is based on the classic arc of the non-believer-turned believer. Our protagonist Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu) is an atheist in the second century who despises the rituals of his tribes and rebels against the norms. Which sounds promising on paper, except the film never explores what that really means. Instead, we are launched into a painfully superficial love story with Nemali (Preity Mukundhan), which mostly serves as an excuse for the awkward age-gap romance and heavy midriff shots. After an uninspired war, an ironic love story, and a brief encounter with the divine, Thinnadu evolves into the devout Kannappa.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Kannappa Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos
Kannappa Story: Kannappa is a devotional epic inspired by sacred lore. It traces the spiritual journey of Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), an atheist tribal hunter known for his raw instincts and survival skills, who undergoes a profound inner transformation. His path eventually leads him to become one of Lord Shiva's most devoted followers. As the story unfolds, Thinnadu's encounters with divine elements and his evolving sense of purpose take centre stage. His relationship with Nemali (Preity Mukhundhan), who acts as a feisty yet grounded counterbalance, adds emotional texture to his arc. Kannappa Review: Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa is a sincere attempt at retelling revered lore with visual grandeur. While the film opens on a slow and stretched note, it gradually finds its rhythm and builds to a soul-stirring finale. Vishnu Manchu brings sincerity and steadiness to the lead role. Prabhas makes a dynamic appearance as Rudra, energising the screen with his commanding and entertaining presence. Akshay Kumar makes a confident Telugu debut as Lord Shiva, fitting naturally into the film's spiritual atmosphere. Kajal Aggarwal adds elegance as Parvati, while Mohanlal's composed portrayal of Kirata brings a quiet strength to the narrative. Mohan Babu is firm and dependable as Mahadeva Shasthri, and R. Sarathkumar leaves an impression as Nathanathudu. The supporting cast, including Brahmanandam, Madhoo, Siva Balaji, Mukesh Rishi, Devaraj, Brahmaji, and others, contribute meaningfully, helping flesh out the world around Thinnadu. While the film hits the dramatic notes effectively, some of the emotional layers, particularly around Thinnadu's inner conflict and relationships, could have been explored with more depth. The narrative has heart, but a deeper dive into the character's internal struggles would have added more weight to the transformation. That said, Kannappa scores high on visual and musical impact. Sheldon Chau's cinematography captures the beauty of forested landscapes and celestial moments with finesse, giving the film a rich visual texture. Some of the VFX elements fall short of the film's ambition, but the overall sincerity of the production shines through. Stephen Devassy's background score is another strong point, heightening the emotional beats, especially during the intense and moving final act. Watch it if you enjoy sacred stories with strong visual storytelling and emotional payoff. Kannappa ends on a powerful note that resonates with devotees and admirers of culturally rooted cinema.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
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The much-awaited Telugu film Kannappa finally hit the screens on 27 June. In a surprising turn of events, Vishnu Manchu's brother, Manchu Manoj, was seen at Prasads Multiplex catching the very first show of the movie. His presence raised eyebrows, given the not-so-warm equation between the two brothers. Manoj also heaped praise on the film during his review. Manchu Manoj praises brother Vishnu Manchu's performance in Kannappa. As Manoj was exiting the theatre, he was surrounded by media seeking his reaction to the movie. As quoted by Gulte, Manoj said, "The film is a thousand times better than I expected. After Prabhas enters, the movie goes to the next level." Without naming anyone, he added, "I never imagined, even in my dreams, such a brilliant performance in the climax," which many believed to be a nod to the film's lead, Vishnu Manchu. He further congratulated the team of Kannappa, saying, "I hope the film becomes a huge success and that the money invested is returned a thousandfold." This comes shortly after Manoj omitted his brother, Vishnu Manchu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) while sending best wishes to the Kannappa team. Ahead of the film's release, he wrote, "All the best to Team #Kannappa! My Dad and his team have poured years of effort and love into this film. I'm praying it roars to blockbuster success. Can't wait to see my little champs Ari, Vivi, and Avram make memories on the big screen. So happy that #TanikellaBharani garu's lifelong dream is coming alive tomorrow. I wholeheartedly thank the golden-hearted PraBoss garu & the G.O.A.T.s #Mohanlal Garu, #AkshayKumar Garu, #PrabhuDeva Garu, and each and every one who supported this film with love and belief. Can't wait to see you all shine on the big screen. May Lord Shiva bless this journey with light, love, and legacy." For the unversed, during the promotions of the film, Vishnu accused his brother Manoj of stealing the hard drive containing Kannappa's footage. Speaking at an event in Chennai, Vishnu alleged that Raghu and Charitha, who allegedly stole the disk, were part of Manoj's staff. 'In case the culprits manage to leak the footage, I urge everyone not to watch the leaked content. About 70 minutes of colour-graded footage that was sent from a Mumbai facility to our father's Film Nagar residence was stolen by Raghu more than a month ago,' he said. About Kannappa The mythological epic narrates the story of the legendary devotee of Lord Shiva. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced under Manchu's banners — AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory — the film stars Vishnu Manchu in the lead role alongside Preity Mukhundhan, Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji, Siva Balaji, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Raghu Babu, and Madhoo. The film also features star-studded cameos by Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal
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