Kannappa (2025), directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, is an ambitious Telugu-language mythological drama that aims to retell the revered legend of Kannappa, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Starring Vishnu Manchu in the titular role, with a star-studded ensemble including Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal, the film promises a grand spectacle rooted in spiritual devotion.

Released on June 27, 2025, it has garnered mixed reviews, blending moments of emotional resonance with significant narrative and technical shortcomings. This review explores the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact, assessing whether it lives up to its lofty ambitions.

Story and Themes

Set in the 2nd century, Kannappa follows Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a fierce tribal warrior from the Chenchu tribe in Andhra Pradesh, who begins as a staunch atheist. A childhood trauma—witnessing his friend’s sacrifice to appease the gods—leads him to reject divinity and rituals. Living in a forest hamlet under his father, Nathanathudu (R. Sarathkumar), Thinnadu’s life changes when he meets Nemali (Preity Mukhundhan), a devout Shiva follower from a neighbouring tribe.

Their romance, though central, feels forced and detracts from the spiritual narrative. Thinnadu’s encounters with divine figures—Kirata (Mohanlal), Rudra (Prabhas), and Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar)—gradually transform him into Kannappa, whose ultimate act of devotion involves sacrificing his eyes to Shiva’s Vayulingam.

The film’s core theme revolves around the journey from skepticism to faith, emphasizing selfless devotion over ritualistic purity. It poses thought-provoking questions about what constitutes true worship, particularly through dialogues between Rudra and Mahadeva Shastri (Mohan Babu), a rigid priest who guards the Vayulingam.

However, the narrative often loses focus, spending excessive time on subplots like tribal conflicts and a romance that feels incongruous with the devotional tone. The story’s emotional depth surfaces too late, primarily in the final 20 minutes, leaving audiences disconnected for much of the 181-minute runtime.

Kannappa (2025) Performances

Vishnu Manchu delivers a mixed performance as Thinnadu/Kannappa. His early scenes as a rebellious hunter lack intensity, but he shines in the climax, particularly during the eye-sacrifice sequence, where his emotional delivery evokes genuine pathos. His dedication to the project is evident, yet inconsistent acting hampers the character’s arc. Mohan Babu, as Mahadeva Shastri, is a standout, bringing gravitas and stability with his commanding presence. His ideological clash with Prabhas’ Rudra is a highlight, grounding the film’s spiritual themes.

Prabhas, appearing as Rudra in the second half, injects energy and wisdom, elevating the narrative. His meta-tinged dialogues, referencing his real-life persona, adhumouror and fan appeal, though his role feels underutilized. Mohanlal’s cameo as Kirata is impactful but brief, leaving audiences wanting more depth.

Akshay Kumar, portraying Lord Shiva, struggles with an ornamental depiction, exacerbated by poor AI-dubbed dialogue and mismatched lip-sync. Kajal Aggarwal, as Parvati, is passable but burdened by overly modernized styling, undermining the divine aura. Preity Mukhundhan’s Nemali is visually striking but emotionally shallow, with costumes that feel anachronistic for a 2nd-century setting. Supporting actors like R. Sarathkumar and Brahmanandam contribute adequately, though Madhoo and Aishwarya Bhaskaran are miscast, their performances grating and out of place.

Direction and Screenplay

Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for the Mahabharat TV series, brings a mass-appealing yet simplistic directorial style. His vision to craft a pan-Indian epic is ambitious, but the execution falters. The first half is sluggish, bogged down by unnecessary action sequences and a romantic track that feels like a commercial detour.

The screenplay, penned by Vishnu Manchu with contributions from Paruchuri Gopala Krishna and others, is inconsistent, stretching the narrative with disjointed subplots. The film’s attempt to emulate Baahubali’s grandeur falls short, as action scenes lack innovation and emotional stakes. However, Singh redeems himself in the climax, where the devotional intensity peaks, delivering a goosebumps-inducing finale that resonates with Shiva devotees.

The dialogue, crafted by Akella Shiva Prasad, is a mixed bag. While some lines, like those in Rudra’s confrontation with Mahadeva Shastri, carry philosophical weight, others veer into melodrama or unintentional humour, such as “I will worship the God… with my soul… and my left eyeball.” The film’s pacing issues, exacerbated by its 3-hour-3-minute runtime, could have been mitigated by trimming 15-20 minutes of redundant scenes.

Technical Aspects

Sheldon Chau’s cinematography is a high point, capturing New Zealand’s lush forests and celestial moments with visual splendour. The forested landscapes lend authenticity to the 2nd-century setting, though some scenes feel disconnected from the cultural context. Stephen Devassy’s background score is another strength, amplifying emotional beats, particularly in the climax. However, the music occasionally overwhelms, with jarring combinations of temple bells and modern sounds that disrupt immersion.

The visual effects are a significant letdown. Despite the film’s high budget, the VFX appear amateurish, with floating mountains and flickering divine auras resembling low-rent CGI. The production design by Chinna is adequate but lacks the intricate sets expected of a period drama, relying heavily on natural locations. Editing by Anthony Gonsalvez is uneven, with abrupt day-to-night transitions and a prolonged slow-motion climax that tests patience. Dubbing issues, especially for Akshay Kumar, further detract from the experience.

Reception and Box Office

Kannappa received mixed reviews, with critics praising its mythological appeal and climax but criticizing its pacing, VFX, and narrative coherence. Bollywood Hungama rated it 3/5, lauding the final 20 minutes and Akshay Kumar’s presence, while The Hindu noted its failure to balance spectacle with emotional depth.

Social media reactions highlight the second half’s emotional impact, with fans praising Prabhas’ cameo and Vishnu’s climax performance. However, many called the first half “unbearable” and the VFX “cringeworthy.” The film grossed ₹46 crore worldwide but was deemed a box office bomb, per Wikipedia, likely due to high production costs and limited buzz in the Hindi belt. It began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on September 4, 2025.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The film’s strengths lie in its sincere attempt to retell Kannappa’s legend, Vishnu Manchu’s climactic performance, Prabhas’ engaging cameo, and the visually striking cinematography. The emotional and spiritual payoff in the final act, particularly the eye-sacrifice scene, is powerful and culturally resonant. However, the weaknesses are glaring: a bloated runtime, an inconsistent screenplay, poor VFX, and underdeveloped characters. The romantic subplot feels like a distraction, and the action sequences lack the polish of contemporaries like RRR. The film’s ambition to be a pan-Indian spectacle overshadows its need for emotional clarity and cultural authenticity.

Cultural and Emotional Impact

Kannappa aims to embody Sanatan Dharma’s essence, highlighting devotion’s triumph over ritual. The story’s connection to Srikalahasteeswara Temple adds spiritual weight, appealing to Shiva devotees. Yet, its modernized elements—like Nemali’s costumes and excessive cameos—dilute the cultural texture. The film’s exploration of atheism versus faith is intriguing but underexplored, with Thinnadu’s inner conflict needing more depth. The climax, however, delivers a universal message of sacrifice, making it a moving experience for those invested in mythological narratives.

Comparison to Predecessors

Compared to the 1976 classic Bhakta Kannappa, directed by Bapu, this iteration pales in execution. The earlier film balanced devotion and storytelling with emotional clarity, while the 2025 version leans too heavily on star power and spectacle. Unlike Baahubali, which marries scale with craft, Kannappa struggles to find narrative urgency, making its ambition feel hollow.

Final Verdict

Kannappa is a flawed yet heartfelt devotional epic. Its emotionally charged climax and strong performances from Vishnu Manchu and Mohan Babu redeem a sluggish first half and technical shortcomings.

Prabhas’ cameo adds star value, but the film’s disjointed screenplay, poor VFX, and lengthy runtime hinder its potential. It’s a decent watch for Shiva devotees and fans of mythological dramas, but casual viewers may find it tedious. With tighter editing and better execution, it could have been a landmark film. For now, it remains a noble effort that doesn’t fully deliver.

Rating: 3/5

If you enjoy sacred stories with visual flair, Kannappa is worth a watch for its final 20 minutes. Have you seen it? Share your thoughts on the climax!