‘Kannappa' hits screens to thunderous response, powerful performances steal the show
Manchu Vishnu's dream project Kannappa hit theatres on June 27, 2025, amidst high expectations. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu under Ava Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory banners, the mythological epic features a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal in key roles, creating massive buzz among moviegoers.
The film has already impressed audiences, with several standout elements emerging as highlights. Veteran actor Sarath Kumar plays Nath Nathudu, father of the lead character Thinnadu. Despite limited screen time, his commanding voice and presence add gravitas to the role. Actress Preethi Mukundhan, who plays Nemali, captivates with her graceful on-screen presence, particularly in the songs. Though her role has less narrative weight, her chemistry with Vishnu is well-received.
Mohan Babu's performance is one of the film's most celebrated aspects. His impactful screen presence and powerful dialogue delivery brought energy and applause in theatres. Prabhas, portraying Rudra, enters with high intensity—his brief yet powerful appearance drew loud cheers from fans, elevating the cinematic experience.
Vishnu Manchu's transformation into the devoted Kannappa in the second half has won critical praise. Scenes depicting Kannappa's unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, especially the emotional climax, left many in tears. Viewers are lauding Vishnu's performance as one of his finest, suggesting the film could mark a turning point in his career.
The soundtrack by Stephen Devassy is also earning acclaim. Devotional and romantic songs blend beautifully with the narrative, with stunning visuals enhancing their impact.
The emotional climax, portraying Kannappa's ultimate act of devotion, is being hailed as one of the film's strongest moments, staying with audiences long after the credits roll. With stellar performances, grand visuals, and an emotional core, Kannappa is shaping up to be a milestone film for Manchu Vishnu, powered by strong contributions from Prabhas and Mohan Babu.
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Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Vishnu Manchu's brother, Manchu Manoj, watches 'Kannappa' on the first day, first show, and calls it "a thousand times better than expected"
Picture Credit: X Vishnu Manchu's mythological epic 'Kannappa' finally hit the big screens today, and interestingly, his brother, Manchu Manoj, was seen attending the very first show at Prasads Multiplex in Hyderabad. As per a Gulte report, after catching the film, Manoj spoke to the media outside the theater and didn't hold back his thoughts. He described the movie as "a thousand times better than I expected," sharing his surprise over how the final product exceeded all expectations. He went on to say that the entry of Prabhas in the film elevated the experience significantly and credited the Rebel star's powerful screen presence. Manoj acknowledged the emotional weight of the film's climax, stating that he "never imagined such a performance, not even in his dreams." While he didn't directly name Vishnu Manchu, it is expected that he referred to his brother's intense and career-defining portrayal of 'Kannappa.' He concluded by extending his best wishes to the entire team. "I hope the film becomes a huge success and that the money invested is returned a thousandfold," he said. Interestingly, ahead of the film's release, Manoj had already shown support in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter). Though he didn't mention Vishnu directly, he wished the 'Kannappa' team all the best and acknowledged the decade-long passion project led by their father, Mohan Babu . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He also expressed excitement about his children watching the film and paid respect to the many legends who lent their support to the project. His tweet reads, "All the best to Team #Kannappa! My dad and his team have poured years of effort and love into this film. I'm praying it roars to blockbuster success. I can't wait to see my little champs Ari, Vivi, and Avram make memories on the big screen. So happy that #TanikellaBharani garu's lifelong dream is coming alive tomorrow. I wholeheartedly thank the golden-hearted PraBoss Garu & the G.O.A.T.'s #Mohanlal Garu, #AkshayKumar Garu, #PrabhuDeva Garu, and each and every one who supported this film with love and belief. Can't wait to see you all shine on the big screen. May Lord Shiva bless this journey with light, love, and legacy."
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kannappa: A grand fusion of Indian Mythology and modern entertainment
Kannappa is not just a movie—it's a celebration of Indian mythology, visual storytelling, and star-powered entertainment that speaks to the soul of every Indian and resonates with audiences worldwide. With Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas and Akshay Kumar leading the charge, this mythological epic brings together tradition and technology, emotion and action, faith and entertainment, all on one magnificent canvas. A legend reimagined for the modern world At the heart of Kannappa lies an ancient tale that has echoed across generations—the story of a humble tribal warrior whose love and devotion for Lord Shiva leads him to the ultimate act of sacrifice. This time, however, the revered legend is brought to life with cinematic brilliance, blending devotion with action, and myth with mass appeal. With a crisp, fast-paced screenplay and emotionally layered storytelling, Kannappa transforms a sacred narrative into a larger-than-life spectacle. The film dives deep into Kannappa's inner conflict—his journey from a fierce warrior to a spiritual devotee—making him not just a figure of legend but a relatable, deeply human character. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Kannappa Official Trailer – Hindi | Akshay Kumar | Vishnu Manchu | Mohan Babu | Prabhas | Mohanlal Vishnu Manchu: Devotion meets dynamism Leading the narrative with emotional intensity and heroic charisma is Vishnu Manchu in the titular role. His performance captures the grit of a warrior and the vulnerability of a devotee, delivering a portrayal that is physically commanding and spiritually moving. Beyond the screen, Vishnu also takes the helm as the film's visionary producer. His commitment to maintaining a balance between cinematic grandeur and authentic storytelling is evident in every frame. Vishnu's deep personal investment ensures that Kannappa is not only faithful to the legend but also immensely engaging for modern audiences. Prabhas: The global icon of Indian Cinema His presence elevates the film's global appeal, drawing audiences from across continents. With a massive fan base spanning languages and borders, Prabhas is not just a star—he's a phenomenon who brings credibility, charm, nd an irresistible pull to this cinematic spectacle. Akshay Kumar: Bollywood's powerhouse joins the divine drama In a role that adds heft and nationwide appeal, Akshay Kumar brings his legendary versatility to the mythological genre for the first time. His character injects energy, urgency, and powerful screen presence to the narrative. Akshay's inclusion is strategic and symbolic, marking a rare crossover that expands Kannappa's footprint far beyond regional boundaries. With his massive fan following, especially in North India, Akshay amplifies the film's reach and ensures pan-Indian excitement. His spiritual ntensity in the role adds a compelling new dimension to his career and to the film. A powerhouse supporting cast Backing the leads is a stellar ensemble of Indian cinema's finest. Together, they lend Kannappa a richness that few films can boast: ● Mohan Babu, a pillar of Telugu cinema, adds gravitas and emotional resonance to the story's core. ● Mohanlal, the icon of Malayalam cinema, lends his unparalleled presence to elevate the film's spiritual depth. This legendary lineup ensures that Kannappa is not just a film but a pan-Indian celebration of talent and tradition. Crafted on an ambitious budget, Kannappa delivers a visual experience that competes with global epics. The film is a feast for the eyes and the spirit, featuring: ● Cutting-edge VFX that elevates divine moments into cinematic marvels, ● Majestic real-world and fantasy locations, ● Intensely choreographed action and war sequences, ● An immersive sound design that pulls the audience into the mythic world. From divine interventions to tribal rituals, every scene is designed with meticulous detail and grandeur. The result is a film that not only entertains but visually transports viewers to an era where Gods and men walked the earth together. Truly pan-Indian, genuinely global Kannappa has been shot in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, ensuring native-language authenticity while reinforcing its national appeal. With a thoughtfully curated global release strategy, the film is poised to make a cultural impact far beyond India's borders, introducing the world to one of its most powerful legends. For all ages, across all screens Though deeply spiritual at its core, Kannappa is crafted for modern audiences. Teenagers will be drawn to its high-octane drama and battle scenes, while families will appreciate its emotional and devotional depth. It's a story of geography. A defining cinematic moment Its combination of emotional storytelling, megastar performances, and cinematic excellence sets a new benchmark for what Indian films can achieve on the global stage.
Indian Express
41 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Kannappa movie review: Vishnu Manchu's ambition cannot fully save this tediously long saga
Kannappa Movie Review & Rating: If you walk into a screening of Kannappa a few minutes late, there's a good chance you'll think that the film is actually a cosplay staged by Indians living somewhere abroad. Garish costumes, equally weird body art and piercings, loud shamans performing witchcraft and sacrifices, and a configuration that includes five different clans from centuries ago sharing one vast piece of land – all of this and so much more resembles a kind of pageantry that one spots in amateurish skits. Yet, director Mukesh Kumar Singh urges us to take all of it seriously as he plods through a story that is still quite far from finding its groove. Kannappa tells the tale of the eponymous icon from Hindu mythology, revered for his unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. But before attaining that status, he lived the life of an atheist hunter named Thinnadu (played by Vishnu Manchu) who dismissed and blasphemed against each of his tribe's religious practices. The warrior in him stood stubborn against idol worshipping of any kind until a divine intervention struck him, imploring him to find God in the self-manifested vayulingam present deep inside the forests nearby. The story of Kannappa has been told on screen several times, and to great results. HLN Simha's Bedara Kannappa (1954) featured Dr. Rajkumar in a performance marked by earnestness and deep commitment while Bapu's Telugu iteration nearly two decades later, starring Krishnam Raju, achieved resounding success through its rooted yet more cinematic portrayal. Each interpretation has had a different thematic focus and storytelling priority, and Mukesh Singh's Kannappa (2025) fittingly aspires to go a few notches above its predecessors. Where the trouble lies is that his attempt never really feels tethered to the milieu that the story emerges from, and it ends up mistaking visual spectacle for creative ambition. The most glaring of missteps occurs in how the tribal community, at large, is represented. Thinnadu is said to belong to the Chenchu tribe that is known for its many unique cultural characteristics (now struggling against steep modernisation) but Kannappa cruelly exoticises them to an extent that it feels campy and caricatured. Characters, especially the women, are seen in costumes heavily sensualised in the name of them being 'tribal'. The bad guy is introduced atop a huge mound of corpses as his eerie occult world breathes savagery around him. The mountains, the meadows, the rivers and practically every element of the film's physical landscape scream foreign location; Kannappa is supposed to have been extensively shot in New Zealand and the makers go the extra mile to showcase their reach and budget. The combined result of all this is that the aesthetics don't allow us to feel the essence of the story until quite late into the proceedings. This also means that Vishnu Manchu, despite his visible devotion to the self-designed dream role, is left restlessly bouncing around as the film goes about finding some kind of a rhythm. The first half is predominantly weighed down by the triteness described above but there occurs a juncture in the narrative when things do notably come together. At its heart, Kannappa is about the trials of faith and how a non-believer sheds his arrogance to embrace personal transformation – so, when the screenplay (also credited to Vishnu) does come to its own for a brief while, it throws up a few pleasant surprises that salvage an otherwise turgid retelling of mythology. What works in its favour is a bunch of cameos and special appearances (no spoiler that superstars Mohanlal, Prabhas and Akshay Kumar are on offer here) that are staged and timed well, leading to sequences that contextually anchor the film and are also memorable in their own ways. One of these impressive portions even manages to throw up poignant questions regarding caste and the right to access divinity first-hand, as Thinnadu's innocent views combat the purity-pollution dogma of a Brahmin priest. Also Read | Kannappa Movie Release LIVE UPDATES Vishnu Manchu puts his best foot forward but he is still found wanting as a performer during the climactic emotional scenes. Preity Mukhundhan as Nemali gets something to play with, but her role also feels exploitative given its objectified framing. Senior actors, and there's a whole gamut of them here, R. Sarathkumar, Mukesh Rishi, Madhoo and others aren't really challenged, and they deliver exactly what's asked of them. Ultimately, Kannappa remains incoherent for most parts, and the disjointed storytelling leaves a lasting dent in it. If the unimaginative world-building, compounded by some high-level hammy acting, becomes its chief shortcoming then the lack of narrative urgency damages things further. In fact, it feels apparent that the makers are hesitant to commit to a full-fledged mythology experience for today's audience, and that second-guessing shows in how the story's most significant stretch arrives painfully late into the 182-minute runtime. It shines fleetingly, particularly when it becomes aware of its emotional core, and the finale does rise to a fitting crescendo. But those highs are scattered, and the misfires far outnumber the successes. Kannappa movie cast: Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Mohan Babu, R Sarathkumar, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji Kannappa movie director: Mukesh Kumar Singh Kannappa movie rating: 2.5 stars
