‘Kannappa’ movie review: This grand retelling of a devotional tale lacks soul

Starring : Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Sarat Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri and Others
Director : Mukesh Kumar Singh
Producer : Dr. M. Mohan Babu
Music Director : Stephen Devassy
Cinematographer : Sheldon Chau
Editor : Anthony Gonsalvez

The much-awaited devotional drama Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu in the lead and featuring Mohan Babu, Prabhas, and Mohanlal in prominent roles, has finally hit the big screens amidst high expectations. Read on to find out how well it lives up to the buzz and whether it delivers as an engaging spiritual experience.

Plot:Kannappa narrates the journey of Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a fierce tribal hunter who lives by instinct and rejects all notions of divinity. Far removed from faith, his world changes when he stumbles upon a silent Shiva lingam in the forest. What starts out as defiance slowly transforms into raw, unconditional devotion. With no knowledge of rituals, Thinnadu worships in his own uninhibited and heartfelt way. When Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar) puts his devotion to the ultimate test, it leads to an act of sacrifice so powerful that it stirs the divine itself. This is the story of how a non-believer becomes a saint, built on innocence, love, and surrender.

The film deserves full credit for its sincere attempt to bring the story of Kannappa to today’s generation. Vishnu Manchu’s dedication, both as an actor and as the driving force behind the film, is evident throughout.
Vishnu delivers a solid performance. His transformation arc is handled well, and one standout monologue, delivered in a single take with emotional depth, shows how invested he is in the character.
Prabhas, as Rudra, is the game-changer. His entry in the second half lifts the film, blending humour and wisdom seamlessly. His scenes with Vishnu and Mohan Babu are not only enjoyable but also add depth to the spiritual journey.
The post-transformation segments are executed effectively, and the climax strikes a strong emotional chord. Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal appear briefly but make their presence felt.
Mohan Babu delivers with restraint, and although Mohanlal’s role is short, his pre-interval scene with Vishnu is impactful. Preity Mukundan performs well, and Sarathkumar and others do their part suitably.
Analysis:
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh presents the story with sincerity but could have explored its emotional and spiritual layers more deeply. The writing is honest, the dialogues are effective, and Sheldon Chau’s cinematography provides a rich visual experience.
Stephen Devassy’s music is decent, although a couple of songs, particularly the romantic numbers, feel out of place and disrupt the narrative flow. A tighter soundtrack would have helped maintain the pacing.
Editing by Anthony is clean, but trimming parts of the first half would have improved the film’s rhythm. The production values are strong, though the VFX do not quite match the scale of the story. Better visual quality could have enhanced the overall experience.

SOUTH INDIA TIMES RATING:3.5/5