Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa with Prabhas: A heartfelt, sincere effort

Kannappa, the long-anticipated mythological drama led by Vishnu Manchu and supported by a powerhouse cast including Prabhas, Mohan Babu, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar, has finally hit theatres amid much fanfare. Does it live up to expectations? Let’s find out.

Story:

The film traces the transformation of Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a fearless tribal hunter with no faith in gods. His life takes a turn when he discovers a silent Shiva Lingam deep in the forest. What begins as defiance soon evolves into deep, unfiltered devotion. Without rituals or knowledge, Thinnadu worships Shiva with childlike sincerity. When Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar) tests this raw devotion, it culminates in an extraordinary act of sacrifice that shakes the heavens. Kannappa is the timeless story of a non-believer turned saint — a tale rooted in innocence, surrender, and divine love.

What Works:

The film scores points for its sincere effort to bring an age-old tale to a modern audience. Vishnu Manchu, both as lead actor and creative force, gives the story his all.

Vishnu delivers a convincing performance, especially in a standout monologue that showcases emotional depth and dedication.

Prabhas, as Rudra, energizes the second half with a mix of humour, strength, and charm. His scenes with Vishnu and Mohan Babu add gravity to the narrative.

The climax is impactful, with Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal leaving their mark in brief but meaningful roles.

Mohan Babu and Mohanlal, though limited in screen time, provide emotional resonance, especially in a well-executed pre-interval scene.

Cinematography by Sheldon Chau gives the film a visual richness, and the overall production values are strong.

What Could Be Better:

The first half drags, and the emotional depth needed to grip viewers is lacking until after the interval.

Key relationships, like Thinnadu’s bond with his father and wife, are underdeveloped, limiting emotional investment.

While Thinnadu’s devotion is portrayed, the purity of his connection with Shiva could have been conveyed with more poignancy.

Mohan Babu’s role feels underused, missing chances for impactful moments with Vishnu.

Supporting characters, including those played by Madhubala and Brahmanandam, are poorly fleshed out and do little to elevate the plot.

Some romantic songs feel out of place, disrupting the film’s spiritual tone.

The VFX falls short, especially for a film of this scale. With better visual effects, the story’s impact could have been greater.

Technical Aspects:

Director Mukesh Kumar Singh approaches the subject with genuine respect, though deeper emotional and spiritual exploration was needed. The writing and dialogues are honest, and editing by Anthony is clean, though the first half could’ve been tighter. Music by Stephen Devassy is decent, but not always in sync with the film’s mood.

Verdict:

Kannappa is a sincere and heartfelt retelling of a cherished legend. Vishnu Manchu shines in one of his most committed performances, while Prabhas injects life into the second half. Despite pacing issues and missed emotional beats, the film finds its footing in the end and offers a satisfying, family-friendly devotional experience. With more emotional layering and technical polish, it could have been exceptional — but as it stands, Kannappa is a commendable effort worth watching.