Kannappa (2025) Movie: Why Prabhas and Mohanlal Couldn’t Save This Mythological Film
Kannappa stands as one of the most ambitious Telugu mythological dramas of 2025, bringing the legendary tale of Lord Shiva’s devoted follower to the big screen. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and starring Vishnu Manchu in the titular role, the film features an impressive ensemble cast including Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Akshay Kumar.
The film, based on the legend of Kannappa, took nearly a decade to materialize and was released in theatres worldwide on 27 June 2025. With its grand scale production values and star-studded cameo appearances, Kannappa has generated significant buzz among audiences seeking spiritual cinema.
Plot and Storyline
Kannappa narrates the journey of Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a fierce tribal hunter who lives by instinct and rejects all notions of divinity. The story follows his transformation from a staunch atheist to becoming one of Lord Shiva’s most devoted followers.
The narrative structure attempts to balance mythological elements with contemporary storytelling techniques. The first half focuses on establishing Thinnadu’s character as a tribal warrior who questions traditional beliefs and divine interventions.
The legendary climax showcases Kannappa’s ultimate act of devotion where he offers his eyes to Lord Shiva, demonstrating the highest form of spiritual surrender. This pivotal moment has been the cornerstone of the Kannappa legend for centuries.
Cast Performance
Vishnu Manchu takes on the challenging role of Kannappa with dedication and physical commitment. His portrayal of the tribal hunter showcases his willingness to experiment with different character archetypes. However, the execution sometimes falls short of the mythological character’s depth and spiritual intensity.
The film features impressive cameo appearances by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal, whose involvement has generated immense excitement. These veteran actors bring gravitas to their respective roles, with Mohanlal particularly standing out in his divine portrayal.
Prabhas delivers a powerful performance in his limited screen time, adding star value to the production. The supporting cast includes established actors like R. Sarathkumar and Kajal Aggarwal, who contribute to the film’s overall production value.
Technical Aspects
The film’s production values reflect its ambitious budget and decade-long development process. The visual effects work attempts to create a mythological world that balances realism with divine elements. The cinematography captures the tribal landscapes and temple sequences with appropriate scale and reverence.
Stephen Devassy’s musical composition provides the spiritual backbone to the narrative, incorporating traditional devotional elements with contemporary orchestration. The background score particularly shines during the transformation sequences and climactic devotional scenes.
The costume design and art direction deserve praise for creating authentic tribal aesthetics and divine character representations. The makeup and prosthetics work shows attention to mythological accuracy while maintaining cinematic appeal.
Direction and Screenplay
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh did a good job in the second half, though his direction in the first half is considered a letdown. I found the pacing issues evident as the film struggles to maintain audience engagement during the character establishment phase.
The narrative structure shows promise in the second half where the devotional elements take precedence over routine commercial elements. However, the first half suffers from conventional love tracks and action sequences that dilute the mythological theme’s impact.
What Works
The film’s greatest strength lies in its spiritual core and the reverence shown towards the Kannappa legend. When the narrative focuses on devotion and transformation, it achieves moments of genuine emotional impact.
The star cameos, particularly Mohanlal and Prabhas, bring credibility and gravitas to the divine roles. Their screen presence elevates the film’s spiritual quotient and provides memorable moments for audiences.
I particularly appreciated the production values and technical aspects that demonstrate the makers’ commitment to creating a visually impressive mythological drama. The temple sequences and divine manifestations are handled with appropriate scale and reverence.
Areas for Improvement
The film has been criticized as a missed opportunity where a legendary story was sidelined to make space for formulaic love tracks and slow-motion action. The commercial elements often overshadow the spiritual narrative, leading to tonal inconsistencies.
I felt the first half’s pacing issues and character development problems prevent the film from achieving its full potential. The screenplay could have benefited from tighter editing and more focused storytelling.
Some performances, while earnest, lack the depth required for mythological characters. The dialogue writing occasionally feels contemporary rather than suited to the ancient setting and spiritual theme.
Critical Reception
Kannappa received mixed reviews from critics upon its theatrical release. Telugu360 rated the film 2.5/5, reflecting the general critical consensus about its mixed execution despite ambitious intentions.
User reviews on IMDb describe it as a disappointing mythological drama that fails to deliver on its ambitious promises despite featuring a star-studded cast. Many critics appreciated the film’s spiritual intentions and visual grandeur while pointing out narrative pacing issues.
However, audiences seeking devotional cinema have found value in the film’s spiritual core and the respectful treatment of the Kannappa legend. The second half particularly resonated with viewers who appreciated the mythological authenticity.
Final Verdict
Kannappa represents an ambitious attempt to bring one of Hindu mythology’s most revered stories to contemporary cinema. While the film succeeds in creating visual spectacle and maintains reverence for its spiritual source material, it struggles with narrative consistency.
The star performances, particularly the divine cameos, and the production values make it a worthwhile watch for audiences seeking mythological entertainment. However, I believe the film’s potential remains partially unfulfilled due to pacing issues and tonal inconsistencies.
Despite its flaws, Kannappa deserves recognition for attempting to present ancient spiritual narratives with contemporary cinematic techniques. The devotional core and visual grandeur make it a decent addition to the mythological drama genre.
Rating: 3/5
