Kannappa (2025) Review: Faith, Spectacle and Uneven Execution

This Kannappa review looks at a big-canvas Telugu mythological epic that aims for devotion and spectacle in equal measure. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and written by and starring Vishnu Manchu, it runs a little over three hours. The result is uneven, but it has moments that land.

Kannappa Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Kannappa plot begins with a warrior who does not believe in gods. After he watches a childhood friend die in a cruel sacrifice, he rejects religion altogether. His scorn for faith becomes part of who he is.

Then love enters his life and complicates everything. The film follows his slow, reluctant move toward a belief that is entirely his own. This is a Telugu-language action drama with a fantasy streak, rooted in a devotional legend. We will not go beyond that setup here.

What Works in Kannappa

The central idea is strong. A sceptic whose faith is forced out of him by personal bonds, not by sermons, gives the story a human anchor. When the film trusts that emotional thread, it becomes engaging.

Critics have been kinder to the second half. Filmfare said the film finds its soul around the midpoint and builds to an emotionally satisfying climax. Bollywood Hungama gave it 3/5 and praised its mythological appeal and a goosebumps-inducing final 20 minutes.

There is also plenty of scale. The film leans into war, hunting and devotion, and it offers action beats for fans of action movie reviews who want a mythic flavour.

Kannappa Cast and Performances

The Kannappa cast is stacked with famous names. Vishnu Manchu plays the title role, with Preity Mukhundhan as Nemali. Akshay Kumar appears as Shiva, Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shastri, Mohanlal as Kirata and Prabhas as Rudra.

The lead

Manchu carries the film, and he clearly pours effort into the role. His best scenes are the quieter ones, when doubt and devotion pull at the character. Some of the louder moments feel strained.

The star cameos

The supporting lineup brings weight and curiosity value. However, reviewers have criticised the misuse of actors, and several big names have limited room to build characters. Their presence feels more like an event than a payoff.

Where Kannappa Stumbles

The film's biggest problem is execution. Wikipedia's summary of the reception notes criticism of the screenplay, incoherent narration, direction, pacing and technical issues. At around three hours, the uneven rhythm is hard to ignore.

The visual effects are another sore point. Audience comments on IMDb complain about the VFX, and for a film built on grand mythology, weak effects hurt the immersion. The Hindu put it sharply: in striving for grandeur, it forgets to tell the story that matters.

The romantic scenes also draw complaints. Some critics found them unwanted, and they slow a story that already struggles with momentum.

Is Kannappa Worth Watching?

It depends on what you want. Kannappa is worth watching if you love devotional epics and big-name casts and can forgive rough craft. If you want a tight, polished blockbuster, it will likely frustrate you.

Reception has been mixed to negative overall. IMDb shows 4.7/10, while individual reviews from Bollywood Hungama and Filmfare landed at 3/5. That split fits what we saw: a sincere core buried under an overstuffed, technically shaky package.

The Kannappa release date was 26 June 2025 in our records, although some sources list 27 June. You can read more on the film at Wikipedia). If you enjoy faith-driven stories with spectacle, you might also like our take on Mahavatar Narsimha.

Who Will Enjoy Kannappa

• Viewers who enjoy mythological and devotional storytelling with a strong faith theme.

• Fans of Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas, Mohanlal or Akshay Kumar who want to see them together.

• Patient audiences who can accept uneven effects for an emotional final stretch. For more like this, browse our drama movie reviews.