Director: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Star cast: Manchu Vishnu, Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan Madhoo, Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal among others.
Producer: Mohan Babu
Cinematography: Sheldon Chau
Editor: Anthony
Banners: 24 Frames Factory, AVA Entertainment
Music: Stephen Devassy
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Kannappa: Emotionally Charged Devotional Drama (3.5/5)
Kannappa starring Manchu Vishnu in the lead role has been carrying good buzz among the audience. Co-staring huge star cast including Prabhas, Mohanlal, Mohan Babu in the key roles, the movie is out for public viewing on June 27,2025. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
Kannappa traces the emotional and spiritual journey of Thinnadu( Manchu Vishnu) a tribal youth raised as an atheist. Set against the mythological and cultural backdrop of the Sri Kalahasti temple, the film delves into Thinnadu’s resistance to traditional customs and rituals. Born in a tribal community, Thinnadu’s early life is marked by skepticism and rebellion. However, his life takes a turn when he falls in love with a village girl, Neelima( Preity Mukhundhan) and marries her. Through the evolving phases of love, identity, and spiritual discovery, Thinnadu’s inner conflict gradually gives way to transformation. The crux of the narrative lies in Thinnadu’s metamorphosis into a devout follower of Lord Shiva, eventually becoming the legendary Kannappa, a symbol of unshakable devotion and selflessness.
Performances:
The surprising factor for the movie is undoubtedly Manchu Vishnu, as he carried the entire film on his shoulders and pleased the audience with his impressive performance. Be it his attire or his physical appearance, he literally kept his blood and Soul for the movie and did his best. In one word, Vishnu delivers his career best act in the chosen role. He succeeded is portraying Kannappa’s transformation with emotional intensity. His physical transformation and expressive eyes help ground the mythological grandeur.
Preity Mukhundhan is decent in her role and provides the glamour feast for the audience in regular intervals. On the other hand, special roles did by Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Mohan Lal and Kajal Aggarwal are good in their respective roles.
But one role played by Prabhas as Rudra is a eye feast for the audience as his role is extended one and delivers an impressive performance. His manly act and aura is a pure mass stuff for the fans and the audience. The introduction episode of Prabhas is shot well and gives goosebumps to the audience.
The cameo appearance did by Manchu Vishnu’s kids is one of the devotional song are captivating. His son who played the childhood role of Thinnadu is cute on the screen. Not to forget, the parents roles done by R Sarathkumar and Madhoo Bala are decent in their roles.
Other supporting roles done by Prabhu Deva, Siva Balaji and Kaushal Manda are apt in their roles. Other actors such as Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Saptagiri among others are okay is their fun-oriented roles.
Analysis:
Direction by Mukesh Kumar Singh is largely good but there are a few dips in the screenplay written by Manchu Vishnu himself. The romantic track between the lead pair looks unwanted and disturbs the flow of the movie.
Coming to the first half, the film takes its own sweet time to enter into the story which would have been dealt in an even better way for an unanimous applause. The second half proceedings take a sharp edge after the entry of Prabhas and carries the same tempo till the end on an emotional side.
Technical Department:
The music is composed by Stephen Devassy takes the feel in the movie to the next level with some soothing devotional and romantic songs.
The photography work by Sheldon Chau is top-notch as every frame looks rich and colorful. The editing by Anthony is okay but could have been better as the movie can be trimmed close to 20 minutes for a better viewing experience.
Last but not the least, the production by Manchu Vishnu’s production house are grand and lavish.
Verdict:
All in all, Kannappa is an enjoyable devotional drama that has a few dips here and there but overall will end up as a satisfactory watch during this weekend. The last forty minutes of the movie takes us to devotional trace and emotionally attracts to the audience with the flow. The performance by Manchu Vishnu stand out during the course of time.
