The Times Of India | Jun 27, 2025 , 19:39:41 IST

'Kannappa' Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Vishnu Manchu delivers a devotional powerhouse with an unforgettable climax

'Kannappa' is a mythological devotional action thriller directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. The film is based on the legendary tale of Kannappa, a tribal hunter named Thinnadu from the Chenchu tribe in Andhra Pradesh, who transforms from an atheist skeptic into one of Lord Shiva’s most devoted followers through pure and selfless faith.Vishnu Manchu plays the title role of 'Kannappa', marking a career-defining performance praised especially for the film’s emotional climax. The supporting cast includes Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shastri, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Brahmanandam, and others. The film features powerful cameos by Mohanlal as Kirata, Prabhas as Rudra, Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati. Notably, Prabhas and Mohanlal joined the project out of respect for Mohan Babu and declined remuneration. The production of 'Kannappa' was a decade-long dream project for Vishnu Manchu, who also wrote the screenplay. The film was launched in August 2023 and shot primarily in New Zealand, with music composed by Stephen Devassy. The story is based on the life of 'Kannappa', originally a hunter named Thinnadu from the Chenchu tribe in Andhra Pradesh, who demonstrates extraordinary devotion to Shiva through unconventional offerings, including water from his mouth and meat from his hunts. The climax of his devotion is marked by the legendary act of sacrificing his own eyes to stop the bleeding of the Shiva Lingam. 'Kannappa' has been praised for its devotional intensity, especially the emotionally charged climax, which has been described as spine-chilling and tear-inducing. Critics and audiences alike have lauded Vishnu Manchu's career-best performance, along with the impactful cameos by Prabhas and Mohanlal. The film's background score and emotional elevation received special mention, making it a compelling watch for devotees of Lord Shiva and lovers of mythological cinema. While some noted the film's slow pace and modest production values, the last 40 minutes, featuring powerful performances and the epic climax, have been highlighted as the film's major strengths.
Live Updates
FILTER UPDATES
View commentsPost a comment

All Comments ()+

Characters Remaining: 3000
+
All CommentsYour Activity
Sort
Be the first one to review.
We have sent you a verification email. To verify, just follow the link in the message