Kannappa (2025) Movie Review: Vishnu Manchu’s Grand Take on the Devotee of Lord Shiva
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Directed by: Mukesh Kumar Singh
Story & Screenplay: Vishnu Manchu
Production: AVA Entertainment, 24 Frames Factory
Music: Stephen Davies
Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas, Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Preeti Mukundan, Kajal Aggarwal, and others.
Cast and Characters:
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Vishnu Manchu as Tinnadu / Kannappa
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Avram Bhakta Manchu as Bala Tinnadu
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Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shastri
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Prabhas as Rudra (Guest Appearance)
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Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva
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Kajal Aggarwal as Parvati Devi
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Mohanlal as Kirata
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Preeti Mukundan as Nemali (Princess of Pannaga Gudeni)
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Supporting Cast: Brahmanandam, Sarathkumar, Mukesh Rushi, Brahmaji, Saptagiri, Surekha Vani, and more
Plot Summary:
Tinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), born in the land of Gudeni, is raised by his father Nadanath (Sarathkumar) after losing his mother. Due to a brutal human sacrifice ritual that kills his friend, Tinnadu becomes a non-believer, rejecting the idea of God.
The land is divided among five Gudenis, often divided but occasionally united — as they are when a threat to the sacred Vayu Linga arises. Amidst internal turmoil and budding love with Princess Nemali (Preeti Mukundan), Tinnadu is exiled by his father for the greater good.
Though an atheist, his journey intertwines with divine events, especially during Mahashivratri, leading him to a confrontation of belief vs. disbelief. Along the way, Shiva (Akshay Kumar), Parvati (Kajal), and Rudra (Prabhas) play celestial roles that challenge and transform him.
How Tinnadu becomes the legendary Kannappa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, is told with grandeur, philosophical dialogues, and mythological references — including a nod to Kirataarjuniyam, with Mohanlal as Kirata testing Arjuna.
Performances:
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Vishnu Manchu delivers a strong performance, particularly praised for his costume design and emotional depth as Tinnadu.
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Avram Bhakta Manchu (his son) shines as the young Kannappa.
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Preeti Mukundan holds her own as Nemali, embodying devotion and conviction.
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Prabhas‘ entry in the second half as Rudra is a crowd-pleaser; his presence lights up the screen for a full 25 minutes.
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Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal, as the divine couple Shiva-Parvati, are engaging.
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Mohan Babu, as the devoted Mahadeva Shastri, brings seriousness and gravitas to the narrative.
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Guest appearances from Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal elevate the scale of the film.
Music & Visuals:
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Music by Stephen Davies is passable, though the songs aren’t memorable.
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VFX and background score lack polish in certain key moments.
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Cinematography by Sheldon Chow captures grandeur but misses local Telugu soul — the forests, rivers, and landscapes don’t feel like Srikalahasti or Rayalaseema.
What Worked:
Vishnu Manchu’s bold reinterpretation of Kannappa’s life
Mythological and philosophical blend with action and drama
Prabhas’ explosive cameo as Rudra
Strong character arcs, especially for Mohan Babu and Preeti Mukundan
What Didn’t:
Missing the Rayalaseema flavor and accent
Background music and VFX felt underwhelming at times
Weak connection to local Telugu ethos
Songs lacked lasting impact
Final Verdict:
“This is my Kannappa till now… from now on, it’s your Kannappa,” tweeted Vishnu Manchu during the release. And indeed, this version of Kannappa isn’t the one Telugu audiences grew up with. It’s an expanded, modernized take with added fables and flair.
Vishnu takes the core of Kannappa’s devotion and builds a new narrative around it — some parts land well, others fall short. But it’s a film that attempts something larger than life, and for that alone, it’s worth watching — especially in theatres.
