Movie Review Kannappa: A Visual Pilgrimage Marred by Preachiness and Inconsistency

Kannappa is not just a film — it is a spiritual journey wrapped in celluloid. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and featuring Vishnu Manchu in the lead role, this Telugu-language mythological drama aims to retell the story of Thinnadu, later known as Kannappa, one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva. While the film carries a powerful core message and a star-studded cast, it stumbles in execution, particularly with its preachy tone and emotional inconsistency.

Movie Review Kannappa: A Devotional Epic With Uneven Execution

The heart of Kannappa lies in its mythological and spiritual foundation. Thinnadu, a tribal hunter from the Chenchu tribe, becomes disillusioned with blind faith following a traumatic childhood. His path from atheism to devout worship of Lord Shiva forms the narrative’s emotional spine. While the premise is compelling and rich with spiritual symbolism, the screenplay falters with over-explained dialogue and pacing issues that slow down the film’s rhythm, especially in the second half.

Highlights:

• Plot & Message: Strong spiritual message exploring faith, transformation, and divine love.

• Action & Visuals: The action sequences are engaging; however, the VFX feels outdated and distracts from the story’s grandeur.

• Background Score: The music heightens the devotional tone effectively, especially in pivotal emotional scenes.

Lowlights:

• Preachiness: The dialogue becomes too didactic, disrupting the narrative flow.

• Emotional Disconnect: The intended emotional high points lack punch, resulting in a half-baked spiritual journey.

• Chemistry & Acting: Vishnu Manchu’s action is commendable, but his emotional scenes lack depth. Preity Mukhundhan’s performance is underwhelming and lacks chemistry with the lead.

Despite appearances by stars like Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal, these cameos are not enough to elevate the overall impact of the film. They feel more like fleeting attempts to inject excitement than meaningful additions to the plot.

Strengths and Shortcomings of Kannappa’s Cinematic Journey

What Works:

• Conceptually strong: The premise is powerful and spiritually engaging.

• Cameos: Appearances by Indian superstars offer brief moments of cinematic grandeur.

• Climactic Payoff: The film redeems some of its flaws with a moving climax that showcases Thinnadu’s ultimate act of devotion.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Writing: The screenplay and dialogue fall prey to excessive moralizing.

• Pacing: A laborious second half hampers engagement.

• Visual Quality: The VFX fails to match the ambitious scale of the story.

Performances and Direction

Vishnu Manchu brings physicality and sincerity to his role but struggles with the emotional depth required. Preity Mukhundhan’s portrayal of Nemali is sincere but suffers from a lack of chemistry with the lead. Mohan Babu, R Sarathkumar, and Madhoo provide strong support, although their characters are not fully fleshed out. Arpit Ranka’s Kala Mukha lacks the gravitas of a memorable antagonist, and Brahmanandam’s comedic inclusion feels disjointed.

Director Mukesh Kumar Singh’s intention to present a spiritual epic is clear, but the execution doesn’t do full justice to the mythological grandeur. The lack of subtlety and emotional nuance holds the film back from being a standout devotional film.

Kannappa is a film with a noble message that will likely appeal to spiritual audiences, especially devotees of Lord Shiva. However, its execution issues — from inconsistent performances to drawn-out scenes and flawed VFX — make it a challenging watch for the general audience. Yet, it remains a significant cinematic attempt to bring ancient lore to modern audiences.

You Must Know

Is Kannappa based on a true story?

Yes, the film is inspired by the legend of Kannappa, a revered devotee of Lord Shiva associated with the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh.

Who plays the lead role in Kannappa?

Vishnu Manchu portrays Kannappa and is also credited for writing the screenplay.

Is Kannappa suitable for all audiences?

The film is best suited for those with spiritual inclinations or interest in mythological cinema. Others may find the preachy tone less engaging.

What is the runtime of Kannappa?

The film has a runtime of 182 minutes, with a noticeably slower second half.

Where can I watch Kannappa?

Kannappa is currently released theatrically across India in Telugu.

What are the cameos in Kannappa?

The film features cameos from Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohanlal.