Kannappa (2025) Review: Faith, Fury and a Divided Epic

This Kannappa review covers a big-budget Telugu devotional epic built on the legend of a famed devotee of Shiva. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and written by Vishnu Manchu, it runs a hefty 182 minutes and carries a star-studded cast. The ambition is obvious, but the results are mixed.

Kannappa Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Kannappa plot follows a warrior-hunter who rejects religion after seeing his childhood friend cruelly sacrificed. He lives by the sword and trusts only himself. Gods, to him, are a story told to frighten people.

Then love enters his life, and his certainty starts to loosen. The first act sets up a man torn between hard-earned scepticism and something he cannot explain. That clash of belief and doubt is the engine of the drama, and it gives the film a clear emotional spine.

The film is a retelling of a traditional legend, so the broad shape will be familiar to many viewers. Newcomers can still follow it easily. For more of the genre, browse our Drama movie reviews.

What Works in Kannappa

The central idea is strong. A non-believer who earns his faith through experience, not instruction, is a compelling arc for an epic. When the film stays close to this personal struggle, it finds real feeling.

Published reception singled out the songs and the story as highlights. The music gives the devotional material a rhythm, and the war song adds muscle to the battle sequences. Fans of large-scale spectacle will find plenty of set pieces to chew on.

The film also commits to its tone. It treats faith with sincerity rather than irony, and that earnestness will land with viewers who come for the devotional side of the story.

Kannappa Cast and Performances

The Kannappa cast is the film's biggest talking point. Vishnu Manchu plays the title role, and he carries most of the screen time. Preity Mukhundhan plays Nemali, the love interest who helps shake his convictions.

The supporting line-up is packed with recognisable names:

• Akshay Kumar as Shiva

• Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shastri

• Mohanlal as Kirata

• Prabhas as Rudra

Reception to the performances was mixed, and that matches what the film delivers. Some cameo-style appearances bring welcome star power, while the lead's intensity does not always hold across such a long runtime. The big names add curiosity value, though they cannot fully paper over uneven pacing.

Where Kannappa Stumbles

Length is the first problem. At 182 minutes, the film often feels stretched, and several stretches repeat emotional beats we have already felt. A tighter edit would have sharpened the impact.

The tone also wobbles. Action, romance, comedy and devotion sit side by side without always blending smoothly. Moments meant to be moving can feel rushed, while lesser scenes linger.

The commercial result reflects the divided response. The film grossed about ₹46 crore worldwide and is regarded as a box-office disappointment. Ratings are lukewarm too, with IMDb sitting around 5.0/10. You can check the details on Kannappa's Wikipedia page).

Is Kannappa Worth Watching?

Kannappa is worth watching if you love mythological epics and devotional storytelling, but it is a patchy experience for everyone else. The legend at its core is powerful, and the cast brings real curiosity value. The execution, however, is uneven and overlong.

If you want a polished action drama, you may find it slow. If you are open to a sincere, old-fashioned retelling with some striking music and spectacle, it offers enough to justify a sitting. Go in with patient expectations and a free evening.

The film sits in the action and drama space. For similar picks, see our Action movie reviews and History movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy Kannappa

• Viewers who enjoy Telugu mythological and devotional epics.

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

• Audiences who value music and spectacle over tight pacing.