'Kannappa' X reviews out: Netizens diss 'below average' first half and gush perfect 2nd half; praise Vishnu Manchu and Akshay Kumar's performances

Economic Times

5 hours ago

— raviprabhu (@raviprabhu)
— KrishnaRTFAN (@KrishnaRTFAN)
— sivakumargrandh (@sivakumargrandh)
About 'Kannappa'
The highly anticipated Telugu mythological epic Kannappa, featuring Vishnu Manchu in the lead role, arrived on the big screen on June 27, 2025. This grand cinematic retelling has been helmed by director Mukesh Kumar Singh, while the production responsibilities have been carried out by seasoned actor and filmmaker Mohan Babu. The storyline centers around the legendary journey of Kannappa, a tribal warrior whose unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva transforms his life and earns him a revered place in spiritual folklore.As the film completes its first few hours in theatres, early impressions from moviegoers have begun appearing across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter). These initial responses are beginning to paint a picture of the audience's connection with the movie, shedding light on how viewers are engaging with this mythological action drama in its opening moments.One X user said that while the first half was underwhelming, the second half was absolutely top-notch. He also praised the performances of the cast and the background music.Another X user gushed about leading man Vishnu Manchu's tour-de-force performance, as well as Prabhas's 17-minute cameo at the end.'Kannappa in the USA. A slower first half and a more engaging second half. Vishnu's performance is stellar and top-notch; more than 17 minutes of Prabhas's screen time. The ending is intense. Vishnu Tried very hard to create an epic, and the movie is worth watching…' The comment read.Another had nothing but praise for the movie. '#KannappaMovie is a cinematic triumph The gripping story and masterful screenplay captivate from start to finish. Every actor delivers a stellar performance, but@iVishnu Manchun dominated everyone with his phenomenal portrayal. A must-watch masterpiece!' they wrote.Another awestruck viewer wrote, '#Kannappa is a good to decent film based on the 2nd half and very good last 1 hour. I literally got chills in the last 20 minutes, especially the whole song sequence. The actors performed brilliantly. I recommend you watch it for the mythological aspect. If i am not wrong, Families and Masses should receive well…'However, not all viewers were so charitable. One particularly scathing review read, '#Kannappa is a weak film. To be very honest, Prabhas's cameo also lacked weight. His dialogue delivery is sluggish, and his scenes are not well written. The screenplay is terrible. There are very few highs in the film. A major positive is the last 15 minutes. Music and cinematography are good.'Rooted in a revered tale from Hindu mythology, Kannappa reimagines the powerful story of a tribal hunter whose deep and unwavering love for Lord Shiva drives him to make the ultimate sacrifice—offering his own eyes as an act of pure devotion. This age-old narrative has now been transformed into a visually rich and emotionally stirring film that weaves together elements of action, spiritual symbolism, and dramatic intensity.Leading the cast is Vishnu Manchu, who breathes life into the central character with depth and conviction. He is joined by an ensemble of seasoned actors, including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji, and Preity Mukhundhan. The film also features high-profile cameo appearances by pan-Indian cinema icons such as Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal—special roles that have stirred significant buzz among fans across regions.The movie's principal filming commenced in September 2023 against the picturesque backdrops of New Zealand. The visual narrative was crafted under the expert lens of cinematographer Sheldon Chau, whose work brings a grand and immersive aesthetic to the screen. The musical score was created by Stephen Devassy, with additional sound programming contributions from Al Nishad and Sreerag Suresh, adding layers of sonic depth to the film's emotional and mythic undertones.Final post-production work, including sound editing and Dolby Atmos mixing, was executed at Annapurna Studios, ensuring a technically polished theatrical experience. Impressively, the story and screenplay were both penned by Vishnu Manchu himself, showcasing his creative vision not only as an actor but also as a storyteller. Kannappa has been brought to audiences under the banners of Twenty Four Frames Factory and AVA Entertainment, promising a cinematic tribute to devotion, sacrifice, and divine connection.