Movie Name : Kannappa
Release Date : June 27, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Sarat Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri and Others
Director : Mukesh Kumar Singh
Producer : Dr. M. Mohan Babu
Music Director : Stephen Devassy
Cinematographer : Sheldon Chau
Editor : Anthony Gonsalvez
Related Links : Trailer
The much-awaited devotional drama Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu in the lead and featuring Mohan Babu, Prabhas, and Mohanlal in prominent roles, has finally hit the big screens amidst high expectations. Read on to find out how well it lives up to the buzz and whether it delivers as an engaging spiritual experience.
Story:
Kannappa narrates the journey of Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a fierce tribal hunter who lives by instinct and rejects all notions of divinity. Far removed from faith, his world changes when he stumbles upon a silent Shiva lingam in the forest. What starts out as defiance slowly transforms into raw, unconditional devotion. With no knowledge of rituals, Thinnadu worships in his own uninhibited and heartfelt way. When Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar) puts his devotion to the ultimate test, it leads to an act of sacrifice so powerful that it stirs the divine itself. This is the story of how a non-believer becomes a saint, built on innocence, love, and surrender.
Plus Points:
The film deserves full credit for its sincere attempt to bring the story of Kannappa to today’s generation. Vishnu Manchu’s dedication, both as an actor and as the driving force behind the film, is evident throughout.
Vishnu delivers a solid performance. His transformation arc is handled well, and one standout monologue, delivered in a single take with emotional depth, shows how invested he is in the character.
Prabhas, as Rudra, is the game-changer. His entry in the second half lifts the film, blending humour and wisdom seamlessly. His scenes with Vishnu and Mohan Babu are not only enjoyable but also add depth to the spiritual journey.
The post-transformation segments are executed effectively, and the climax strikes a strong emotional chord. Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal appear briefly but make their presence felt.
Mohan Babu delivers with restraint, and although Mohanlal’s role is short, his pre-interval scene with Vishnu is impactful. Preity Mukundan performs well, and Sarathkumar and others do their part suitably.
Minus Points:
Since the story is already familiar to many, the film needed a more emotionally gripping narrative. Unfortunately, the first half moves slowly, and the core plot doesn’t gain momentum until after the interval.
Key emotional threads, especially Thinnadu’s relationship with his father and wife, are underexplored. These could have added much-needed emotional weight and helped the audience connect more deeply.
Although Thinnadu’s devotion is shown well, the innocence and purity of his bond with Shiva could have been conveyed through more moving and emotionally charged sequences.
Mohan Babu’s role, though respectable, feels underutilized. His interactions with Vishnu had the potential to deliver compelling moments but lack dramatic impact.
Several supporting characters, including those played by Madhubala, Brahmanandam, and others, serve limited purpose and remain underdeveloped, missing the opportunity to enhance the narrative. The action scenes could have better choreographed.
Technical Aspects:
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh presents the story with sincerity but could have explored its emotional and spiritual layers more deeply. The writing is honest, the dialogues are effective, and Sheldon Chau’s cinematography provides a rich visual experience.
Stephen Devassy’s music is decent, although a couple of songs, particularly the romantic numbers, feel out of place and disrupt the narrative flow. A tighter soundtrack would have helped maintain the pacing.
Editing by Anthony is clean, but trimming parts of the first half would have improved the film’s rhythm. The production values are strong, though the VFX do not quite match the scale of the story. Better visual quality could have enhanced the overall experience.
Verdict:
On the whole, Kannappa is a heartfelt and genuine attempt to retell a powerful tale of devotion. Vishnu Manchu delivers one of his most sincere performances, while Prabhas brings strong presence and energy to the second half. Despite a slow start and several underdeveloped characters, the film finds its rhythm later and ends with an emotionally satisfying climax. With greater emotional depth and tighter execution, it could have reached higher. Still, Kannappa remains a decent devotional drama and a suitable choice for a family watch.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
