What’s it about?
Tinnadu (Manchu Vishnu) loses his mother at a young age, and her death turns him into a non-believer. Instead of visiting temples, he spends his time near her tombstone. When Kalamukha (Arpit) and his massive army threaten to invade their land, Tinnadu’s father (Sarath Kumar) calls for a meeting with the chiefs of five tribal kingdoms. They choose Tinnadu as their leader. Tinnadu falls in love with Nemali (Preity Mukundhan), the daughter of one of these tribal chiefs.
Unlike Tinnadu, Nemali is a devoted follower of Lord Shiva and regularly performs rituals and prayers.
Due to an unfortunate incident, Tinnadu is banished from their land. He and Nemali move away, get married, and begin a new life together. The rest of the film explores how Tinnadu, a firm atheist, transforms into the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva after a fateful encounter with Rudhra (Prabhas), and what trials and sacrifices he faces in his path of devotion.
Analysis
“Kannappa” tells the story of a non-believer and hunter who transforms into a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. His unwavering devotion reaches its peak when he offers his own eyes as a sacrifice to the deity. This tale is rooted in the legendary Kalahasti Charitra, which serves as the foundation for the film.
The same story was famously adapted in 1976 by legendary director Bapu in “Bhakta Kannappa,” featuring Krishnam Raju in the titular role. The film was a major success. Krishnam Raju had even considered remaking it with his nephew Prabhas, but the project never materialized.
Taking inspiration from both the original lore and Bapu’s classic, Vishnu Manchu decided to bring Kannappa to life on a grand scale. He not only produced the film (with his father Mohan Babu serving as a producer) lavishly but also roped in major stars like Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar in pivotal guest roles.
Unlike Bhakta Kannappa, this version of Kannappa places greater emphasis on less essential elements such as Tinnadu’s bravery and tribal warfare. As a result, the entire first half—nearly one and a half hours—is spent on these aspects, with little focus on the film’s core devotional theme. However, director Mukesh Singh handles even these portions in a dull and uninspired manner. The sequences involving the tribal communities are particularly tedious. Adding to the disappointment, actors like Iswarya, Devaraj, and Madhubala appear completely miscast as tribal chiefs. Both their appearance and performances come across as awkward and unconvincing.
Fortunately, “Kannappa” starts to engage once it shifts focus to the devotional aspect. The arrival of Prabhas as Rudhra changes the tone, pacing, and overall appeal of the film. The writing in Prabhas’s portions is notably stronger, standing in stark contrast to the boring first half. His character’s interactions with three different individuals, along with his dialogues, are particularly effective.
Even after Prabhas exits the narrative, the film manages to retain its devotional tone and emotional intensity until the end. As a result, the final 30 minutes emerge as the film’s most compelling segment. Wish that the makers maintained the same conviction in the rest of two hours plus runtime.
Many sequences in the first half of the film severely test the audience’s patience.
When it comes to performances, Manchu Vishnu’s best decision was casting Prabhas as Rudhra. It is Prabhas’s charisma and powerful screen presence that work strongly in the film’s favor. The entire episode featuring Prabhas is captivating and holds our complete attention. He delivers a distinctive performance that stands apart from his usual roles. Vishnu delivers a more convincing performance in the emotionally charged final moments, though for the most part, he remains within his usual range.
Mohanlal’s role lacks impact, while Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati bring only star value without much substance. Among the supporting cast, only veteran actor Mohan Babu stands out with a well-written role and a solid performance.
Visually, the film leaves a mixed impression. The “Braveheart”-like landscapes of New Zealand are pleasing to the eye but feel disconnected from the setting of the story. The cinematography is clean and effective, but the overall visual tone doesn’t fully align with the devotional theme.
One major drawback is the lack of a strong musical backbone, which is essential for a film of this nature. Unlike the original Bhakta Kannappa, which featured enduring devotional tracks like “Siva Siva Sankara Bhaktavatsala Sankara,” this film lacks any memorable songs.
Editing and writing remain the weakest aspects, dragging down the overall impact of the film.
Bottom-line: “Kannappa” has two core elements: action and devotion. While the first half is unengaging, the film finds its footing in the final stretch. Prabhas’s impactful presence and the sincere devotional sequences in the climax stand out. Despite the poorly executed scenes earlier on, the devotionally resonant ending saves the film.
Rating: 2.5/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Kannappa
Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Preity Mukundhan, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Sarat Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri, Madhubala, and others
Music: Stephen Devassy
DOP: Sheldon Chau
Editor: Anthony Gonsalvez
Production Designer: Chinna
Story and Screenplay: Vishnu Manchu
Producer: Dr.M. Mohan Babu
Written and directed by: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Release Date: June 27, 2025
