Kannappa (2025) Movie: Prabhas and Mohanlal’s Mythological Drama

The mythological drama Kannappa emerges as one of the most ambitious Telugu films of 2025, bringing to life the legendary tale of the devoted hunter who offered his eyes to Lord Shiva. Directed by Mukesh Kumar and featuring Vishnu in the titular role alongside an impressive cast including Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Akshay, this devotional epic represents a decade-long passion project.

The star-studded cast includes Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar in cameo appearances, while Rebel star Prabhas plays an important role. The female lead is played by Preity Mukhundhan, while the supporting cast features Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, and Madhoo.

Plot and Storyline

Kannappa follows the journey of Thinnadu, a tribal youth who grows up as an atheist. Set in the 2nd century, the film presents a story of valour and belief, drawing from ancient Tamil literature and religious texts. The narrative chronicles how an atheist hunter gradually evolves into one of Lord Shiva’s most devoted followers.

The screenplay takes viewers through Kannappa’s early life as a tribal hunter who questions traditional beliefs. His journey becomes complex when he falls in love and faces personal conflicts that challenge his worldview. The film’s second half focuses on his spiritual awakening and the ultimate act of devotion where he offers his eyes to Lord Shiva.

Cast Performances

Vishnu Manchu delivers one of his most sincere performances in the titular role, bringing both physical intensity and emotional depth. I found his portrayal convincing, particularly in the climactic sequences where the character’s spiritual journey reaches its peak. His transformation from skeptical hunter to devoted follower feels genuine throughout.

Prabhas brings strong presence and energy to the second half, with his special appearance adding significant value. The face-off between Manchu Vishnu and Mohanlal is well-designed, though Mohanlal’s screen time is limited. Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati fit their roles perfectly despite limited screen time.

Preity Mukhundhan brings freshness to her role as the female lead, though her character could have been developed more. The supporting cast provides solid foundation work without overshadowing the central narrative.

Technical Aspects

Director Mukesh Kumar Singh did a good job in the second half, though his direction in the first half feels underwhelming. The directorial approach shows clear improvement as the film progresses, with spiritual segments receiving more polished treatment. I noticed the emotional connection in early scenes needed stronger establishment.

The film is visually grand with powerful mythological elements, showcasing production values that reflect significant investment. Cinematography by Sheldon Chau captures the period setting effectively, particularly in forest and temple sequences. Stephen Devassy’s musical score complements the devotional theme well.

The editing maintains steady pace in most segments, though the first half could have been tighter. Visual effects support the mythological elements, though consistency varies across scenes.

What Works and What Could Be Better

Strengths: The climax stands out as the film’s best part, with strong performances from the entire cast. The authentic portrayal of mythological story shows respect for source material. Production values and visual presentation are impressive. Star cameos add genuine value rather than feeling forced.

Areas for Improvement: Despite a slow start, several characters remain underdeveloped. Pacing issues plague the first half significantly. I felt the narrative flow between the two halves could have been smoother. Some visual effects sequences needed more polish.

Critical Reception

Telugu360 rated the film 2.5/5, acknowledging both strengths and execution issues. TrackTollywood gave it 2.5/5, describing it as An Average Devotional Drama With Solid Climax. Bollywood Hungama provided 3.0/5, stating that KANNAPPA triumphs with its mythological appeal.

Professional critics have acknowledged the film’s ambition and devotional sincerity while pointing out execution problems. Public reception has been mixed, with audiences appreciating star performances and production values while expressing concerns about pacing.

Final Verdict

Kannappa represents a sincere attempt to bring an important mythological story to contemporary audiences. While it succeeds in delivering visual grandeur and strong performances, particularly in its second half, the film struggles with pacing issues. I believe it works best for audiences who appreciate devotional dramas and can overlook narrative inconsistencies.

The movie remains enjoyable for those willing to embrace its spiritual content and star performances, despite its flaws.

Rating: 2.5/5