Kannappa review: Prabhas shines in a legendary tale that misses its soul

India Today

6 hours ago

The tale of Kannappa, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva who offered his eyes to the Lord out of devotion, is a familiar story to most South Indians. A major reason for this familiarity is the evergreen classic films like the 1938 Tamil film Kannappa Nayanar, the 1954 Kannada film starring Dr Rajkumar, Bedara Kannappa - which was also released in Telugu as Kalahasti Mahatyam, the 1976 Telugu film starring Krishnam Raju, Bhakta Kannappa, and the 1988 Kannada film starring Shiva Rajkumar, Shiva Mecchida Kannappa.advertisementTelugu actor Vishnu Manchu, in an attempt to reintroduce the story of this iconic devotee to the modern audience, has invested his heart, soul, and money - along with his father and veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu. From extensive shoots in live locations to an ensemble cast of well-known actors, including cameos by Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal, the film has been buzzing with updates ever since its announcement. But from a creative standpoint, does the film reflect the effort invested? Does it live up to its predecessors? Let's find out!Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu) is a fierce warrior who sees no divinity in idols - only stone. A staunch non-believer, he dismisses rituals and ridicules the customs of his tribe. However, in the celestial realm of Kailasa, Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar) and Goddess Parvathi (Kajal Aggarwal) closely observe Thinnadu's every move. Shiva, having foreseen Thinnadu's destiny, knows that this sceptic is fated to become one of his most devoted followers.advertisement
Thinnadu, the son of the tribal chief (Sarathkumar), is exiled from his community for instigating fights and creating rifts among neighbouring tribes, after falling in love with Nemali (Preity Mukundan), the princess of a neighbouring tribe - someone who was promised to another. The region is home to five distinct tribes, and at the heart of their land lies the sacred 'Vayulinga' - an object of immense spiritual significance. Its divine energy soon attracts a dark force intent on desecration. As evil looms over the tribes, the stakes rise: their culture, unity, and survival hang in the balance.What threat does the Vayulinga face? How will Thinnadu rise to protect his people? What journey led him from atheism to absolute devotion? And who plays a role in bringing him closer to Lord Shiva? The answers to these questions make up the plot of the film. The music in the film, specifically the devotional songs, deserves the first mention. It might seem unconventional for a review to begin with the songs, but for the experience the devotional tracks offer, they certainly deserve to be highlighted first. The songs Shiva Shiva Shankara and Om Namah Shivay exude power through their composition. The background score also contributes significantly to the narrative. Composer Stephen Devassy, along with singers like Vijay Prakash and Shankar Mahadevan, shines.advertisementVishnu Manchu, as Thinnadu, the atheist warrior, delivers an underwhelming performance except in the action sequences. While the character and the situations he faces demand a variety of expressions - since the tone of the scenes constantly shifts - Vishnu seemingly struggles to keep up and deliver the versatility required.However, in the last 50 minutes, when Thinnadu's character undergoes a transformation and becomes an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Vishnu's natural innocence adds depth to the role. While his romantic scenes with Preity Mukundan feel like a poorly placed distraction, the chemistry he shares with the Aasa Kooda actor is undeniable.Kannappa falters when it comes to direction, screenplay, and execution. Director Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for several mythological TV serials, brings the same melodramatic and slightly outdated touch to the film. The story and screenplay, written by Vishnu Manchu himself, add a fictional arc to the devotional tale we all know. Although the arc has interesting ideas, it suffers from poor execution in both writing and direction.Apart from Vishnu Manchu, Kannappa features an ensemble cast that includes veterans like Mohan Babu, Sarathkumar, Brahmanandam, Devaraj, Madhoo, and Mukesh Rishi, along with familiar faces such as Preity Mukundan, Brahmaji, and Aishwarya Bhaskaran. Preity Mukundan, as the female lead, delivers an impressive performance - bringing beauty, elegance, charm, and strong screen presence to her character. The rest of the cast performs well too.advertisementPrabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal appear in extended cameo roles, while Mohanlal makes a brief appearance in an intriguing segment. Prabhas makes the most impact as Rudra, with the story's momentum picking up considerably after his entry in the second half. Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal, however, are presented in an old-school TV serial format, rendering their appearances slightly underwhelming.The cinematography by Sheldon Chau, especially during the scenic sequences shot in New Zealand, is beautiful. However, the rendered VFX work in patch scenes is noticeably inconsistent in quality. The most disappointing technical aspect of the film is the editing. While the film could have been crisper, for viewers with a pet peeve for poor transitions, this might be a tough watch.Kannappa has its fair share of drawbacks, but from a devotional perspective, it manages to tap into the right emotions by the end. The climax offers a theatrical experience that is worth watching - if one has the patience to wait for it.- EndsWATCH:
IN THIS STORY#Prabhas#Akshay Kumar