Kannappa Movie Review: Devotional Epic with Heart and Flaws
Kannappa is a grand mythological film that brings together religion, action, and emotion. It tells the story of Thinnadu, a tribal hunter who turns into a great devotee of Lord Shiva. The film mixes divine themes with action and star-studded cameos. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the movie features Vishnu Manchu in the lead, with appearances by big stars like Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar.
Let’s dive into the story, performances, visuals, and overall experience this film offers.
🕉️ The Story: From Hunter to Saint
The movie starts with Thinnadu, a brave hunter from a tribal village. He doesn’t believe in God or rituals. He lives by his own rules, hunts for survival, and takes care of his people. But everything changes after he encounters Lord Shiva.
This encounter sparks a transformation. Thinnadu starts understanding faith, sacrifice, and the true meaning of devotion. He gives up his ego, wealth, and even his eyesight to please Shiva. By the end, he becomes Kannappa, the most loyal devotee.
The film draws inspiration from traditional Indian folklore, especially the story of Bhakta Kannappa, a popular saint known for his selfless love for Lord Shiva. The core message is clear: real devotion doesn’t need religion or rituals—it needs heart.
🎬 Direction and Screenplay
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh aims to deliver a big, divine story with larger-than-life visuals. He chooses beautiful locations, dramatic lighting, and old-world sets to make the world feel real. But the screenplay doesn’t stay consistent.
The first half of the film moves slowly. It focuses too much on Thinnadu’s backstory, daily life, and simple problems. While these parts build character, they also make the movie feel stretched. Some dialogues feel preachy, and not all scenes hold interest.
In the second half, the story gains speed. When Lord Shiva enters the picture, the mood shifts. The emotional moments land better. The divine atmosphere becomes stronger. The movie builds up to a very emotional and satisfying climax.
👤 Performances
Vishnu Manchu as Kannappa
Vishnu Manchu gives one of his best performances so far. In earlier scenes, he looks rugged, wild, and carefree. As the film moves forward, he slowly shows pain, love, and transformation. He plays Kannappa with true emotion, especially in the second half. His final scenes bring tears.
Cameos by Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar
These three appear in small but powerful roles.
- Prabhas plays a calm and noble divine figure. His screen presence brings instant energy.
- Mohanlal appears with grace and adds maturity to the spiritual side of the story.
- Akshay Kumar, in a surprising appearance, brings intensity and emotion, even in limited time.
These stars do not have long roles, but their presence adds weight. However, the movie doesn’t rely only on them. It focuses on Vishnu Manchu’s journey.
🎥 Visuals and Music
Kannappa looks rich. The film uses grand sets, temples, forests, and mountains. Costumes match the mythological setting. The tribal world feels detailed and alive.
However, the visual effects (VFX) are not always smooth. Some magical scenes feel fake or rushed. A few battles and divine miracles could have looked better with stronger CGI. But the emotional scenes, especially in the climax, still make an impact.
The background music supports the story well. At key moments, the music grows intense and spiritual. The songs blend with the story instead of interrupting it. Devotional tunes, tribal beats, and classical elements mix nicely.
⏱️ Pacing and Flow
The movie has a clear split in two parts:
- First Half – Slow, character-driven, focused on the tribal world. Viewers who enjoy mythological setup may like it, but casual watchers may feel bored.
- Second Half – Emotional, fast-paced, and more connected to the spiritual story. This part creates real tension and builds toward a moving finale.
The change in tone between the two halves might surprise some. But if you stay patient during the first hour, the second part rewards you.
🧠 Themes and Message
Kannappa explores faith, transformation, and devotion. It shows how a man without belief becomes one of the most devoted souls in history. It says that true faith comes from sacrifice and sincerity, not fancy rituals.
It also speaks about forgiveness and love, both divine and human. Thinnadu’s journey reflects the idea that anyone, even a non-believer, can reach God through pure actions and loyalty.
💰 Box Office and Public Response
Kannappa released on June 27, 2025. It had a strong opening, especially in Telugu-speaking states. It earned around ₹9 crore on Day 1 and crossed ₹16 crore in two days. The weekend numbers are expected to reach ₹25 crore or more.
The movie became one of Vishnu Manchu’s highest openers. This performance gives his career a major boost, especially after several flops in recent years.
Fans liked the emotional second half, the ending, and the divine message. Many people praised Vishnu Manchu’s dedication to the role and called the climax “tear-worthy.”
Some viewers criticized the slow start and called the screenplay uneven. Others wished for better VFX in divine scenes. But most agreed that the final hour makes the film worth watching.
🗣️ Final Thoughts
Kannappa is not a perfect movie. It starts slow. It sometimes feels dramatic and over-explained. But it has a strong heart. The film respects tradition and faith. It gives you characters to care about, emotions to feel, and visuals to admire.
Vishnu Manchu deserves credit for taking on a story like this. He doesn’t depend on stardom. He builds his role from the ground up. The supporting cameos help but don’t overshadow him.
The film works best for those who enjoy spiritual stories, Indian folklore, and mythological devotion. If you’re looking for action or thrillers, this might not be for you. But if you want to watch a tale of faith, emotion, and transformation, Kannappa will satisfy you.
🎯 Final Rating: 7.5 / 10
- Story: 7/10
- Performances: 8/10
- Visuals: 7/10
- Music: 8/10
- Emotional Impact: 8.5/10
- Pacing: 6/10
Verdict: Kannappa is a heartfelt devotional drama with a powerful ending. It delivers more emotion than action, more faith than fantasy. Watch it with patience—and it will stay with you.
